The Arewa Initiatives for Peaceful Co-existence has donated a sum of N10 million to the victims of the violent clash between the Yoruba and Hausa community in Ile Ife in order to ameliorate the effect of the crisis on the victims.
The Former commissioner for Agriculture in Sokoto State, Alhaji Saddik Sannuma who stood in for the leader of the group who is also former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa made the disclosure during a courtesy visit on Governor Rauf Aregbesola in his office in Osogbo.
Sannuma explained that the group visited the state in order to commiserate with the people of the state over the unfortunate incident describing the clash as shocking and uncalled for.
The group which expressed delight at the panel of enquiry set up by the state to look at the immediate and remote causes of the crisis said that the outcome of the probe panel will assist the government to prevent future occurrences.
He also commended the state government for the way it treated the issue noting that it is an indication that someone that understands the feelings of people, the problem and how to tackle them is at the helms of affairs in the state.
Responding, the state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori commended the group for the visit and gesture saying that it will go a long way to cushion the effect of the crisis on the victims.
Tomori said that what happened is not ethnic clash between Yorubas and Housas but a minor disagreement that could as well occur within the same tribe.
She explained that Yorubas are peaceful and will never discriminate adding that there was no reason for the clash to occur in the first instance.
While noting that Nigerians would never engage in civil fight, Osun State Deputy Governor said the state government sponsored students of Osun State University to Ukraine for further education adding among those sponsored are pupils from other states and Cameroon.
She gave the example of the manner the forum of state governors are conducting the affairs of the body saying they talk and argue freely among themselves without harbouring grudge against one another.
She therefore urged the followers to desist from fighting because I have the opportunity to represent my Governor at the forum and I can see the way and manner they are interacting in the forum.
Also in the entourage include the younger brother of former Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Nasir Bafarawa and leadership of the group in the entire southwest region.
Packaged by Bunmi Oladejo
