altThe Member representing Abuja Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Adamu Jagaba, has said that the peoples’ cultures have the capability of fostering peace, security and unity among community members.

Hon. Jagaba stated this at Transfer RCM Primary School, Garkawa, during the annual festival of the Yuom people of Hilyuom or Garkawa (as they are widely known), of Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State, as the Chairman of the occasion.

The Honourable Member urged the people of the 19 villages that constitute “Hilyuom,” meaning Yuom land, not to relent in their efforts to sustain the peaceful co-existence and the protection of the peoples’ heritage, especially at this period the country is faced with serious security challenges.

 

Also speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Da Dr. Jonah David Jang, said there was no better way of preserving and fostering unity and love among people, enhancing security and sustainable development, than the celebration of the peoples’ heritage.

The Governor, who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Paul S. Wai, maintained that Yuom land is one of the places, where peaceful co-existence is of great pride to its community members on the Plateau, and thanked them for their untiring efforts.

The Chief Host, who is also the Member representing Shendam, Qua’an Pan, Mikang Federal Constituency, Hon. Innocent Z. Tirsel, said RHE-YUOM Festival of Arts and Culture is celebrated yearly, to remind the Yuom people of their cultural heritage.

Hon. Tirsel maintained that with the world becoming a global village and people coming in contact with various cultures, the future generations of HilYuom will always be reminded of their pride place and heritage during a celebration like this, including those in the Diaspora.

He said this year’s cultural festival served dual purposes in that apart from showcasing the peoples’ heritage, there was a N10million Appeal Fund Launch for the building of Yuom Development Association National Secretariat, adding that the Secretariat will foster unity among Garkawa people, both home and abroad.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Management Committee, Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Isa Kunwai, expressed his profound gratitude to the State Government, for making this year’s festival a reality and pledged the peoples’ continuous support for the sustainable development of the state.  

The Muo Yuom, HRH J.K. Dabup II, could not hold back his joy, seeing the magnitude and calibre of guests and said the only way to restore peace in the country is for everyone to trace back his/her ancestral roots through the peoples’ festivals, such as the RHE-YUOM festival, stressing that a festival of this sort will not only curb corruption, but also bring about desired development in the land.

The National President of Yuom Development Association (YDA), Mr. Ayuba Gautet, said the building of the N10m Secretariat, apart from other facilities like museum for displaying artefacts and storing farm produce, will also serve as a source of unity among the community members both home and abroad.

Present at the occasion were the Deputy Speaker, Plateau State Hon. John-Bull Shekarau, National President, Youm Youth Movement, Mr. Bako Hyacinth, and the Management Committee Chairman, Shendam Local Government Area, Dr. Nicholas Kemi Nshe.

The Plateau State performing troupe, Afizere cultural dancers, the Garkawa traditional dancers, and the different masquerades from the 19 village areas, thrilled the audience to the various performances, just as other side attractions included the different traditional dishes of Yuom people and their artefacts.

Naseer Saeed Atiegba
NICO NCZ