Bauchi Inaugurates Committee On New Emirates, Chiefdoms

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed yesterday inaugurated a 41-member committee to review and assess requests for the creation of new emirates, chiefdoms and districts.

Inaugurating the committee at the Government House, Governor Mohammed said the creation of new traditional institutions was in fulfillment of his campaign promise in 2019.

He added that government’s intention was not only in fulfillment of political promises but also to deepen local governance, enhance identity and strengthen the invaluable roles of traditional institutions as custodians of peace, unity and development.

The governor said his administration had found it expedient and timely to revisit the issue to address long-standing demands and appeals for historical legitimacy, social equity and grasp for consensus.

He further explained that it was in consonance with established practice in the country in various states where traditional institutions had been unbundled and provided data and statistics for development.

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Governor Bala expressed regret that Bauchi had remained dormant in this regard since the creation of the state in 1976, stressing that traditional institutions serve as pillars of communal cohesion and catalyst for progress, hence the expansion of such institutions through administrative units to consolidate building efforts, and poster inclusivity and empower communities to participate meaningfully in governance.

“The rationale for the creation of new emirates, chiefdoms and districts is grounded on consideration for promotion of peace and progress, stability and development, their role to serve as catalysts for mobilisation towards communal and social development programmes and fostering social cohesion, among others,” he said.

He gave the terms of reference of the committee, as to receive, appraise and evaluate memoranda from communities seeking the creation of emirates, chiefdoms and districts based on publicly advertised criteria and assess the historical and political validity of such claims or requests.

“It is also to examine the historical profile, traditional leadership structures, population data, resource endowment, geographical boundaries and leadership endorsement of applicant communities, conduct stakeholder engagement with the communities involved so that there will be inclusion in terms of minorities living in the area,” he added.

The 41-member committee will be chaired by Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam (Banagan Misau) from Misau local government area, with Justice Habibu Idris Shall from Tafawa Balewa local government area serving as deputy chairman.

Chairman of the committee, Hamza Koshe Akuyam, expressed commitment to carry out the mandate with diligence and integrity.

Akuyam assured Governor Mohammed that the committee would work tirelessly to ensure that the process of creating new emirates and districts is transparent, inclusive and fair to all stakeholders.