He assured the Committee and indeed the people of Bauchi State that the Committee’s report would be carefully studied by the Government with a view to implementing the recommendations.
“To this end, a White Paper Committee would be produced on the report after being deliberated upon by the State Executive Council. Where the need arises, Government would consult relevant stakeholders and experts on conflict resolution of for advice and guidance,” the Governor said.
He stressed that, “Our desire as a Government is to put in place a Sayawa Chiefdom that would be embraced by all stakeholders without resorting to litigation so that peace would reign at Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Government Areas” .
He concluded that, “Finally, I want to once again express my gratitude and appreciation to the Committee for the outstanding performance. Government would not hesitate to engage you in any other assignment whenever the need arises.
The Committee while submitting its report stated that, “Having observed that all the previous Committees of Justice Babalakin, Shehu Awak and Justice Bala Umar and General Sabo recommended the creation of Sayawa chiefdom, the Committee has also made the same recommendation to address the agitation for self-determination by the Sayawa and to bring lasting peace in the Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro axis.”
According to the Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Dada Chinade, “The Committee recommended that the proposed Sayawa Chiefdom should comprise the whole of Bogoro Local Government area with proviso that non Sayawa within the Local Government would be allowed to decide whether or not they want to be part of the Chiefdom through referendum to be conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission.”
“It is recommended that areas in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area which are predominately occupied by the Sayawa should form part of the Sayawa Chiefdom. However, referendum should be conducted in other areas of Tafawa Balewa Local Government who are not predominately Sayawa to decide whether or not they want to be part of the Sayawa Chiefdom,” it further stated.
The Committee also recommended how the State Government would identify where the headquarters of the proposed Sayawa Chiefdom should be located.
According to it, recommendations have been made on the eligibility of persons to be appointed as Chief for the proposed Sayawa chiefdom, process of selection of the pioneer and subsequent chiefs for the Chiefdom and composition of Sayawa Chiefdom Traditional Council.
Also, Appropriate recommendation was been made for the resettlement of persons displaced from Tafawa Balewa town as a result of the series of crises in the town.
The Committee recommended that the subsisting 2014 law on the creation of Sayawa Chiefdom (as amended) should be further amended to accommodate the Committee’s recommendations stressing that, “To this end, a bill seeking for the amendment of the relevant sections of the law should be sent to the State House of Assembly for legislative action.”
The Committee also made incidental recommendations that Government should establish a Reconciliation Committee which should comprise neutral persons of proven integrity to reconcile aggrieved parties.
Also, in the spirit of reconciliation, Government should grant amnesty to those indicted in the previous reports and were recommended for investigation and subsequent prosecution if found culpable; Government should in future ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of culprits to serve as deterrent to others.
Government should also establish skill acquisition centres across the state to engage the teeming youth and reduce youth restiveness and re-constitute the inter-Religious council at both State and Local Government Levels in the State.
According to the Committee, Since it is the wish of the Sayawa stakeholders that the proposed Sayawa Chiefdom should be called “Zaar Chiefdom” and the Chief Gung Zaar, the Committee has no objection.
In conclusion, Chairman of the Committee said that, “I wish to an behalf of members of the Committee express our profound gratitude and appreciation to Your Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed CON, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State for considering us worthy of serving on this very important Committee. It is our hope that our recommendations would be useful in resolving the contentious issues that have militated against the creation of the Chiefdom”.