Jos – The Federal Government on Friday tasked the state and traditional institutions in the Plateau to work toward sustainability of peace in the state.
Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, gave the charge at the 2016 Nzem Berom festival held at Rwang Pam Township hall, Jos.
Mohammed noted that the revival of the festival after eight years it was suspended for security concerns, was an indication that peace had returned to the state.
He urged the authority, traditional institutions and the people in general to sustain the peaceful coexistence.
“The resuscitation of this festival, which heralds the rains and a bumper harvest, is a very powerful message to the world that peace is back to the Plateau, which remains a foremost home of culture and tourism.
“Culture, of which festival is a subset, is a strong instrument of unity, especially in a country with such a rich diversity as ours.
“When you understand a people’s culture, you respect them more, thus reducing the areas of friction.
” I have no doubt that with the good works of the state government, the wisdom of His Royal Majesty and the commitment to peace by all the good people of Plateau, peace and tranquility will be sustained in this beautiful land, ” he said.
The minister noted that the festival came at an auspicious time his ministry was collaborating with the British Council and the Tony Elumelu Foundation on development of the sector.
He said they were mapping out all the creative arts and the various cultural festivals across the country to bring culture from the margins to the mainstream to create a huge economy.
“Under the collaboration, there will be training for all festival managers and creative artists to put them in better stead to raise the profile of their festivals and arts.
“It will also turn the various festivals and the creative arts into magnet for tourists and veritable sources of job creation.
“I do hope that festival managers and creative artists in Plateau will be among the first beneficiaries of this, ” he said.
The minister reiterated government commitment to its diversification policy, aimed at weaning the country from its addiction to oil.
He said government had identified culture and tourism as two of the sectors that would form the core of the diversification process.
“In this regard, I am happy to announce that the federal government will be holding a National Summit on Culture and Tourism in Abuja from April 27 to April 29.
“It will bring stakeholders together to deliberate on how the two sectors can effectively become money spinners for the country while also creating jobs and showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity and tourist attractions, ” he said.
He congratulated the organisers of the festival for a job well done.
Earlier, the chairman of the organising committee, Ericson Fom, said the festival was instituted by the Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation (BECO) to unify the Berom nation.
He said the festival was last held in 2008 owing to insecurity and crises in the state.
Fom said that the 2016 festival was symbolic as they were dedicating it to the memory of those who lost their lives and were rendered homeless and orphans during the crises period.
“We are also dedicating the festival to a new life for the Internally displaced persons, as we solicit all form of assistance from within and outside, our guests and dignitaries through freewill donations, ” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the festival featured royal procession of the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba and his Chiefs, dressed in array of traditional regalia mounted on horses.
There was also the parade of well kitted Berom traditional warriors, a colourful parade of traditional dance groups and musicians.
The Zere beauty pageant show, the brave hunters presentation and exhibition of Berom cuisine, artifacts and mineral reserves were also featured. (NAN).