National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
The Egbira natives of Ibiroko community in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State are seeking to return to their ancestral land after being displaced for eight years due to a communal crisis.
The crisis, which occurred between the Egbira and Bassa Kwomus, resulted in the loss of lives and property, forcing the Egbira natives to flee their homes.
The Ohimozu of Mozum Kingdom, HRH King Alhaji Khalid Ali Bukar (II), made a passionate appeal to the Kogi State Government to expedite efforts towards ensuring the safe return of the displaced Egbira natives.
The monarch, who is also the Provost of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs, made the plea during the annual Egbira cultural festival organized by the Mozum Community Development Association (MOCDA).
According to King Bukar, the displaced Egbira natives have been denied access to their major occupations of hunting and fishing, which has further exacerbated their suffering.
He noted that the Ibiroko community, where the Egbira natives were displaced from, is centered in the Mozum Kingdom and has a long history of being inhabited by the Egbira people.
The monarch expressed gratitude to the state government, led by Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for its efforts towards restoring peace in the warring community.
However, he emphasized the need for the government to fast-track the process of ensuring the return of the displaced Egbira natives to their ancestral homes.
The communal crisis has also had a devastating impact on the education and health sectors in the Mozum community. Many primary and secondary school teachers were forced to seek transfers out of the community, leaving the students without access to quality education.
The crisis has also led to the relocation of many families to the city, further straining the already limited resources in the community.
The Egbira cultural festival, which is celebrated annually, aims to foster peace and unity among the Egbira people.
This year’s festival was attended by prominent Egbira sons and daughters from across the world, who gathered to promote peace and reconciliation.
In his remarks, Yakubu Galadima, a legal practitioner and traditional title holder (Okumagu of Mozum), emphasized the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence among the Egbira people. He noted that the Egbira people have always been a united family, and the celebration of the cultural festival will further strengthen their bonds.
The Special Adviser to the Kogi State Government on Emergency Management, Alhaji Shuaibu Mohammed, who represented the governor at the festival, urged the people of Mozum kingdom and other neighboring communities to continue living in peace, irrespective of their tribe, religion, or ethnic affiliation.
He assured the displaced Egbira natives that the governor is committed to ensuring their safe return to their ancestral homes and has directed the state house of assembly to expedite the necessary processes.
