By Olu Benjamin
Barr. Labaran Magaji, Secretary to the Nasarawa state Government (SSG) and other dignataries in the state have said cultural festivals will go a long way in fostering unity among the diverse ethnic groups in the state.
They stated this in separate interviews with newsmen in Toto local government area of the state recently on the sidelines of the 4th Annual Multicultural Display of different ethnic groups in Toto LGA organized by the Toto LGA Multicultural Association.
Speaking on the impact of cultural festivals, Magaji said cultural festivals are one of the potential arsenals the state government has to ensure unity and peaceful coexistence in the state hence the support given to the cultural festival in Toto.
“This cultural display is one of our modest way of promoting and showcasing the peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic groups in the state.
“We are praying and hopeful that the state government will take a step further by taking it up fully so it will be an annual event because it has direct bearing on the peace mission of the state governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule,” he said.
He said the event would bring the diverse ethnic groups in the area together as a family, fostering mutual respect and understanding of the cultures of each group.
In another interview, Alhaji Mohammed Maikaya, a politician in the state described the cultural festival as significant and would set the pace and atmosphere for accelerated development and growth of the area and the state at large.
“An environment that enjoys sustained peace will experience fast development and economic growth. This festival will go a long way to help us in this area and the state at large to achieve that
“You will agree with me there were tribes that were not here for years but today we are all here celebrating together. This is what initiatives like this can do which is bring people of different tribes together.
“Through this effort, people of different ethnic groups come together, celebrate together and get to know each other and understand more of each other’s culture and most importantly they begin to plan and work together in unity to build a better society,” he said.
Also speaking, Pharm. Ahmed Baba-Yahaya, Chairman of Toto LGA hailed Toto Multicultural association for organizing the festival which he said has further strengthened the bond between the different ethnic groups in the area and brought happiness to the area.
“All tribes in Toto local government area all here and not just tribes, both christians and muslims are also here. Beyond this celebration, happiness is the key foundation for greater things in the future and the more happier we are the longer we live.
“This event has contributed in thwarting away misunderstandings and crisis and unifying us more towards living as brothers as sisters despite our cultural differences.
“As you aware we have tasted quite a number of crisis in Toto. So it’s quite amazing seeing different tribes showcasing their culture including the Bassa ethnic group who jave been away for over seven years. That shows that if we put in the effort we can together in peace and unity,” he said.
He added the festival is also a platform to educate the younger generation of their identity, history and way of life so that they too can continue to project their. Culture to the outside world.
Our reporter gathered that the festival saw the display of different cultures in form of dressing, dancing among others from Egbura, Bassa, Gbagyi, Kanuri, Yoruba and other ethnic groups in the area.
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