Community leaders in Adamawa state under the aegis of Adamawa Peace Initiative (API), a non-governmental organization (NGO), in partnership with the American University of Nigeria (AUN) on Wednesday paid a sympathy visit to traders whose shops and wares were destroyed in an inferno that razed down major parts of Yola town market early in the New Year.
After touring the wreckage, the Adamawa NGO led by Vice Chairman Jika Gambo and Stephen Mamza, Catholic Bishop of Yola, sympathized with the fire victims, asking the traders’ union to identify areas of need so that AUN-API can support them.
Chairperson of AUN-API, Dr. Margee Ensign, who was away in Washington on official representation, had conveyed her sympathies to the traders through the delegation.
Addressing the victims, Alhaji Jika said: “It was pertinent to see for ourselves and give the report of the incident to the main body for appropriate action. It is indeed a sad situation, but the most important thing is for us to ask God to avert this kind of situation in the future.”
Also receiving the AUN-API delegation, Chairman of Gamzaki Yola South Traders Association, Ali Kachallah, thanked the peacemakers for uniting the different faith organizations in Adamawa State.
“I have been following your programs and your emphasis that Muslims and Christians are one… you can only tie a broom with one rope.” He described AUN-API as a common ground of “one voice and one heart towards each other.”
Taking cognizance of recent fire outbreaks in three markets in Adamawa State, Alhaji Kachallah called on public-spirited individuals, non-governmental organizations and the government to rally support for the traders who have lost their goods and shops to the fire.
AUN-API delegates prayed for the strength to carry on, especially at a time when Nigeria is facing economic uncertainties.
(SUN NEWS ONLINE)