By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi.
The Emir of Dass in Bauchi State, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman has said that Dass Emirate had since time immemorial never witnessed any ethno-religious or communal crisis among its diverse people.
The emir attributed the peaceful co-existence of the people to the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in Dass since its evolution dating back to pre-colonial era, coupled with the education bequeathed to the people, describing illiteracy as the bane of any socio-economic and political problem.
Alhaji Usman Othman was speaking at a special reception in honour of the emirate’s 15 illustrious sons and daughters who acquired prominence or fame at federal and state levels held in Dass weekend.
Our Correspondent reported that Dass Emirate is neighboring Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area where ethno-religious crisis bedevils the people for more than four decades now, a situation that forced the immediate past Yuguda-led government in the state to move its headquarters from Tafawa Balewa to Bununu.
Those honoured during the occasion include the Comptroller-General of Custom service, Brigadier-General Hamid Ali (rtd), Bauchi Acting Chief Judge Justice Hamidu Kunaza, Kaigaman Dass – Mr. Abdon Dalla Gin, Hon. Maryam Garba Bagel, Dr. Halima Musa Mukaddas, Barrister Mukhtar Abubakar, and Comrade Mohammed Jibo, among others.
Othman recalled that Hon. A’isha Dukku representing Dukku federal constituency in Gombe state at the National Assembly at the occasion had when she was minister of state for education, identified a community ‘Bagoyawa’ in Dass that hitherto lacked education facility such as school which, she then provided, and ‘bagoyawas’ are today educationally advancing.
He said the school established by the former Minister was commissioned by late Emir of Dass, Alhaji Bilyaminu Othman, saying it was that efforts of Dukku that bagged her the traditional title of ‘Jekadiyar Dass’, stressing that Hon. A’isha has ever being involved in every activity of the emirate.
Emir Usman Othman however lamented the absence of federal presence or installations in Dass Local Government Area created in 1976, the year Bauchi was carved out of the Northeast, further recalling that it was only during the tenure of late governor Abubakar Tatari Ali in the second republic that Dass was blessed with a Science Secondary School.
“I could also remember that it was a National Youth Corps Member whom I cannot vividly now recall her name through community project facilitated the electrification of Dass Science Secondary School and even its neighboring residences”, the Emir told the occasion.
The Emir therefore called on the entire people of the emirate to not only rededicate their services to the community but also canvass for the federal and state governments’ assistance towards the growth and development of the emirate.
The chairman of the occasion, Brigadier-general Yakubu Mu’azu (rtd), urged the youth in Dass to emulate the celebrants’ meritorious services being offered to humanity.
General Yakubu Mu’azu who thanked God for giving them peaceful land, and for being peaceful all-along, congratulated the celebrants for the honour done them, and stressed the need for recognition in future of other sons and daughter outside the government.
The Guest of Honour at the occasion who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara identified himself with the aspirations and yearnings of Dass people, and commended the celebrants for the feats in their various callings.
The Speaker, who was represented by a member representing Gwale federal constituency in Kano state, Hon. Garba Mohammed who in the 70’s served as marketing manager with Steyr Nigeria Ltd in Bauchi, donated a cash sum of one million naira to organizers of the event to offset their expenses.
