New Yam Festival; Gombe Deputy Governor appreciates steps taken by Gombe Igbo Community towards promoting peaceful coexistence.
..as Gombe SSG, other government officials receive Igbo titles.
The Gombe State Deputy Governor Manassah Daniel Jatau, Ph.D, described the New Yam Festival and award presented to Gombe people by the Igbo Community in Gombe as a step towards promoting and sustaining the already existing peace, unity and harmony existing amongst the divers ethnic tribes in the state.
The Deputy Governor made this remarks during the New Yam Festival organized by the Igbo Community in Gombe State at Mac Cornels Resort, Gombe,encouraged the igbos to maintain and improve on the cultural activities in order to bring people together from all tribes and works of life towards sustainable sociocultural development.
Mr. Manassah Daniel Jatau noted that at this time of so many agitations the nation need activities like this that can enhance our unity, and peaceful coexistence for Nigeria to remain together.
The Deputy' Governor commended the Igbos for being industrious and contributing immensely to economic development of the state and the nation.
He also applauded their posture of integration and adaptation into every situation, which has been helping them to live in every nook and cranny of the country, calling on the people to emulate them for a better Nigeria.
The Deputy Governor called on the Igbos to extend their planned training for the Igbos and their children to include everybody who is interested in learning the language and culture for harmonious coexistence.
The Secretary to Gombe State Government, Prof. Abubakar Ibrahim Njodi,and the Commissioner of Works Alh. Abubakar Bappa who were among the title recipients appreciated the Igbos In the state for counting them worthy of the award.
They said, they considered the award has a motivation to continue to impact on humanity especially to protect the titles given them by promoting peaceful coexistence amongst the divers tribes in the country.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Albert Chukwunta, explained that the New Yam Festival in Igbo land is an annual event celebrated in the month of August but they, in Gombe have decided to celebrate in October.
He said, Yam is respected as king of all crops while Kola is respected as king of cash crops by the Igbos, hence the due importance attached to these crops.
He appreciated the Governor and the people of Gombe for the accommodating spirit and provision of atmosphere for peaceful coexistence.
Speaking separately, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter Community Affairs. Hon. Ichie Chekwudebelu Ewuzie and the President Igbo Community Welfare Association, Chief Aronu Benneth Onyelekegha expressed delight over the New Yam Festival in Gombe State, adding that it is an event to appreciate God of harvest.
They further explained that the event is to create an opportunity for sustaining and reviving the already dying culture of the Igbos with a view to restoring it's lost values.
The President, Igbo Cultural Association said, they have applied for a piece of land to build their cultural center where they will establish semi stadium, school to teach their children in Igbo and a place to use as venue for celebrating their annual festivals, hoping the government shall approve for them.
He called on other ethnic groups to follow suit in order to pass on their cultures to their children so that they don't go extinct.
Activities that featured include, breaking of Yams and kola nut by the dignitaries.
Those honoured with titles include, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Asmau Iganus, member representing Shongom East in the State House of Assembly, and Director of Protocol, Government House, Musa Habibu Bushasha among others.
Jack.A.Tasha
Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Media and Publicity,
(Deputy Governor's office)
Saturday October 30th, 2021.
More photos below.
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