There was euphoria at the Ndu council esplanade on April 16, 2022 where the Ndu Council and its partners; Wimbum Cultural and Development Association(WICUDA) and the Honorable member of Parliament for Ndu, Hon. Naomi Ngando donated to the displaced population of Mbongong affected by the recent crises of March 29th that led to death of four persons and destruction of properties.
Beneficiaries included Wimbum and Mbororo people. The crises sparked off when three mbororo men were executed in cold blood by separatists operating in the area. In retaliation, the Mbororo community went on rampage and burnt houses in Mbongong which resulted to one person losing his life. However calm has return to the area with a call for peaceful coexistence to reign among the two communities as it has been in the years past. "Nobody is a stranger in mbongong and we shall continue to live together as one people" reiterated Mayor Abdou Kanfon Borno during the distribution exercise. The item shared ranges from food to mattresses, blankets, dresses etc
*The Mbongong Community Received Relief Package From Ndu Council, Ndu MP and WICUDA*
Sources say a consignment of basic needs and food items got to Mbongong today Saturday 16th April 2022.
The Ndu Council donated -100 bags of 25kg rice
-30 cartons of groundnut oil
-10 bags of maize
-5 bags of beans
10 cartons of sugar and
-50 two-place matrasses.
The Ndu MP Hon Ngando Naomi Mbonyor and WICUDA donated 20 bags of 50kgs rice, 4 belts of used clothes and blankets, 3 bags of maize and 2 bags of beans.
The above items were distributed to the Wimbum population of Mbongong, the Fulani of Mbongong, Njipyang, Ntayi and Sirtang.
Speaking on behalf of the Ndu Council Mayor, Ibrahim Jiberu Ndzi used the tongue/teeth relationship to emphasize the need for peaceful coexistence despite man's imperfections and his tendency to sin.
Imam Ahmadu Babaiya, speaking for the Mbongong Community thanked the donors immensely and prayed that Allah bless them abundantly for this wonderful act of generosity. The Joro of Mbongong, Abdullai Ndzi equally extended the deepest regards of the affected Community to these friends in time of need.
Imam Ahmadu Babaiya, expressed the helplessness of the population of Mbongong in the face of growing insecurity in the area and called on the living forces of Ndu to help reconcile the Wimbum and the Fulani communities of Mbongong as there were still visible signs of tension. In times like this, he continued, it's needless crying over spilled milk and concentrate efforts towards averting future reoccurrence.
The Fulani community of Mbongong received their own consignment at the cattle market. The Fulani of Njipyang, Ntayi and Sirtang were present and collected their own consignment as well.
Speaking for the Fulani community, Alhadji Yukuda Nana expressed deep feelings and added that the gesture was timely judging from their precarious condition. He said they know only Mbongong village and no other place in this wide world. Living in peace with their Wimbum brothers, he said, is not only necessary but an imperative. They are very conscious of the need for peaceful coexistence and shall exploit any given opportunity to work towards that.
The body language of both communities indicated regret for the senseless lost of lives and significant material damages.
On their way back, the distribution caravan passed through Mbipgo Fon's Palace to Fai Ngantu and Fai Ngotong sub palaces of Fuh and Njipmbo respectively. At every stop, the palace or sub palace package was delivered and the essence of the mission explained. The Fon, Fai Ngantu and the representative of Fai Ngotong all expressed happiness for the goodwill gesture and in turns recounted their ordeal with the influx of people from Mbongong on that faithful day and the days that ensued.
The mission was a huge success and feedback from both communities signalled hope. The ground is very fertile to sow the seed of reconciliation. The authorities of Ndu must seize the opportunity, for "a stitch in time, it is said, saves nine."
Ndu Council shall continue with the relief package to Gidado and Mbandfvung communities on Sunday 17th April 2022.
