The paramount ruler in Demsa local government area of Adamawa State, His Majesty, Hama Batta Alhamdu Gladstone Teneke has reiterated the firmness of the Batta Chiefdom to treat all ethnic group and adherents of different faiths equally without segregation.
The Royal Father was speaking at his Palace in Demsa, when the steering committee of the recently concluded Adamawa State Quranic Recitation Competition tagged “DEMSA 2024” led by its Chairman Alhaji Aliyu Ismaila Numan paid him a courtesy call.
He explained that Muslims and Christians and idol worshippers cohabit peacefully during the reign of his forefathers and vowed to sustain the posture for peace and development to thrive across the length and breadth of Batta Chiefdom.
Hama Batta added that it was based on this, that he hosted the 39th Edition of the the Adamawa State Quranic Recitation Competition at his palace and contributed positively that resulted in the success of the competition that continue to receive accolades from within and outside the state.
On the recent unguarded utterances on his personality by one Islamic teacher from Bauchi, the royal father stated that statement will not distract him from treating Muslims equally with their Christian counterpart in his domain.
The Royal Father who spoke in Hausa language said: “Tunda aka gama musabaqa na dauka da aka gama a nan ya kare, amma godiya da na ke samu da kuma wadanda suke kira ta waya sun yawa, kowa ya ce basu taba ga abu irin wannan ba, wai krista ya dau nauyin karatun Alkur’ani a fadar sarki, to sai nayi tunani tun kakaninmu muna zaune da musulmai, a lokaci na ne za’a ce na yi bam-bamci, kuma ko yaushe aka zo wannan fada, ba abinda nake nanatawa shine da musulmi da krista har da arna duk nawa ne, kuma haka haka muke tafiya, saboda haka wannan zance da shi Sheik ya zauna a Bauchi yana yi, to tunanin sa ne”.
Translation: “After the Quranic competition was rounded off, I thought it was over but the salutations I have been receiving through phone calls are numerous, they are saying they have never heard such things that a Christian paramount ruler has hosted Quranic Recitation Competition in his palace, I said to myself that our forefathers cohabit with Muslims, is it during my reign that certain faith will be discriminated, I repeated saying in this palace that both Muslims, Christians, and idol worshippers are all my subjects, what Sheik who resides in Bauchi said is a figment of his imagination”.
Hama Batta added that the utterance of the sheik has serve as morale booster for him to continue rendering good leadership devoid of discrimination, pointed out that all adherents of different religions including idol worshippers within his domain are his subjects and will continue to receive the same blessing of the Chiefdom.
His Majesty explained that there is a harmonious relationship between the chiefdom and the Muslim community in the area and thanked the delegation for commiserating him over the demise of his brother late Colonel Soul Swade who died recently in a road accident.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation who is also, Turaki Batta, Alhaji Aliyu Ismaila Numan said the visit was to appreciate the magnanimity of the Royal Father for hosting the Quranic competition, and wish him success.
Alhaji Aliyu Ismaila Numan added that the delegation was also in the palace to console the paramount ruler over the death of his brother and to distance themselves from utterances made by one Islamic teacher in Bauchi.
Turaki Batta, while condemning the utterances, assured the royal father of their unflinching support to promote, protect and entrench peaceful coexistence in the Chiefdom.
