Toto LGC Boss, Ohimegye Opanda, hosts MBBT, IFIT on peace promotion mission
By Yahaya Idris
The Executive Chairman of Toto Local Government Council, Pharm. Ahmed Baba Yahaya, has emphasized the council’s collaboration with the Middle Belt Brain Trust (MBBT) and other relevant organizations to promote the sustenance of peace and development in the area.
This was disclosed when he hosted the Chairman of the Middle Belt Brain Trust, Rtd General Martin Luther Agwai, and Dr. Thomas Binba of the Institute for Integrated Transition (IFIT) in Toto LGA.
The Middle Belt Brain Trust (MBBT) is a group established in 2018 that brings together local specialists in inter-religious dialogue, mediation, community development, and justice reform. The MBBT focuses on medium-term structural and institutional challenges impacting violence and prospects of peace and prosperity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
The group works with a customized conflict prevention framework to address issues through various approaches including strengthening grievance management systems, reducing polarization, and boosting youth entrepreneurship.
They leverage local knowledge and international best practices, aiming to promote peace and development across states like Nasarawa, including Toto LGA.
Pharm. Ahmed Baba Yahaya has also highlighted that peace is sacrosanct for meaningful development and that his administration is actively engaged in efforts that foster peaceful coexistence between communities, such as herders and farmers.
The peace and security approach under his leadership is showing positive results, contributing to socio-economic activities and development, including initiatives like commissioning a cattle market to boost business and create job opportunities.
The collaboration with MBBT and IFIT involves strategic capacity-building and community grievance management training for traditional rulers and stakeholders, aiming to build cohesion and manage conflicts effectively at the grassroots level.
This joint effort by Toto Local Government Council and MBBT seeks to sustain peace and accelerate development in the area.
The partnership between Toto Local Government Council, led by Pharm. Ahmed Baba Yahaya, MBBT under General Martin Luther Agwai, and IFIT exemplifies a committed multi-stakeholder approach to peace maintenance and development promotion in Toto and the Middle Belt region.
He stressed the importance of peace in societal development, underscoring the need for collaboration and observing that peace is vital for any society’s development.
Yahaya expressed gratitude for the visit and assured the council’s readiness to collaborate for the area’s overall development. The Chairman noted that the two organizations are working in tandem with the Nasarawa State Government to sensitize the people and provide physical and psychological support, promoting peaceful coexistence and unity in the society.
General Martin Luther Agwai expressed satisfaction with the enthusiasm of the people during visits to Ugya camp and Ohimegye’s palace in Umaisha, Toto LGA. He appreciated the people of Toto for embracing peace and commended Governor Abdullahi Sule and the Toto Local Government Chairman, Pharm. Ahmed Baba Yahaya, for their political will in fostering genuine peace in the area.
General Agwai emphasized that no meaningful development can occur in an atmosphere of rancour.
He reassured the people of Toto Local Government of his organization’s commitment to continue supporting them, particularly the returnees who plan to permanently relocate to their ancestral villages.
He appealed for mutual dialogue and understanding among the communities as a way to resolve any misunderstandings internally.
This stance aligns with peace efforts led by General Agwai and the Middle Belt Brain Trust (MBBT), which have focused on dialogue, reconciliation, and collaboration among diverse ethnic groups within Toto LGA to ensure lasting peace and sustainable development.
The peace initiatives have included setting up intra-community and inter-community peace committees and encouraging cooperative efforts between local leaders, government authorities, and aid organizations for the resettlement of displaced persons.
The Ohimegye Opanda Umaisha, HRH Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, expressed his gratitude and happiness regarding the visit and the organizations’ support in restoring permanent peace to the area. He stated:
“I want to express my appreciation to the organizations for their support in all ramifications, especially in peacebuilding.”
“The people of this area have resolved to live peacefully with one another.”
It was reported that since the peaceful return of the Bassas on February 10th of this year, the community has been enjoying a peaceful atmosphere.
While at the palace, the Chairman of Toto Local Government dispelled rumors about a purported second return of the Bassas:
“As I speak, over 78 Bassa villages have returned, and others are preparing for their return. Everybody is free to go to his or her village, provided the intention is for peace,” the Chairman said.
HRH Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, a first-class traditional ruler, also commended the Executive Chairman for his innovative governance, developmental strides, and peacebuilding efforts.
He further solicited more support from relevant agencies to help the returnees improve their standards of living.
In another development, Pharm Ahmed Baba Yahaya led Engr Abdulrafiu Badaru and other representatives from Matrix Investments Company to Otaru Palace in Ugya.
The delegation visited the area to explore the availability of minerals and raw materials essential for establishing a cement company locally.
Responding to the delegation, the Otaru expressed the community’s readiness and willingness to cooperate fully and support any investors who aim to bring meaningful development and add value to the lives of the people in the area.
