Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has appealed to traditional and religious leaders to take the lead in mobilizing their subjects, especially youths towards ensuring peaceful coexistence among various ethnic groups and preserving their norms and values.
The governor stated this on the occasion of Kaltungo Carnival, a cultural festival hosted by the Mai Kaltungo Engineer Sale Muhammadu Umar.
Read Also: Buhari appoints Doyin Salami new Chief Economic Adviser
The festival took place at the Kaltungo Stadium in Kaltungo Local Government Area of the State.
Represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Education, Dauda Batari Zambuk, the governor said also called on the people to continue to send their wards to school as education remains the bedrock of any development in any society.
He assured the people of more developmental projects before the end of the administration.
The Chairman Planning Committee, Hajiya Sa’adatu Saad Mustapha, Alkebban Kaltungo, said the festival has over the years provided the forum for interaction, celebration and showcase of the rich cultural heritage of Kaltungo people to the world.
Sa’adatu said “it also promotes the rich multiple cultures of the people of the chiefdom that comprise many ethnic communities with interesting cultural background and common heritage.
She said the Carnival is being organized yearly not only to enhance social interaction but to intensify peace, unity, and cooperation among subjects and also to promote socioeconomic development of the chiefdom and state at large.
The Emir of Fika, Alhaji Muhammadu Abali ibn Muhammadu Idrisa, commended the Mai Kaltungo, organisers of the festival and all the sons and daughters of Kaltungo chiefdom for their cooperation and understanding in maintaining and reviving their culture and traditions.
The Emir, who is the Chairman of Yobe State Council of Emirs prayed God to continue to unite the people towards the progress and development of their community, state and the country at large.
He urged other emirs to emulate Mai Kaltungo in his effort to preserve our culture and traditions which he said will bring peace and harmony among the people.
The Emir said as the 2023 election is approaching traditional rulers have a role to play in ensuring peaceful coexistence among their subjects and enlightening the people on government policies and programmes.
On his part, Mai Kaltungo Engineer Sale Muhammadu Umar thanked all those who attended the occasion and commended the state government for all its developmental efforts in the community and the state at large.
Also in an interview, the Emir of Dass in Bauchi State Usman Bilyaminu Usman and Emir of Gwoza in Borno State Muhammadu Timta stressed the importance of the event which they said promotes peace and harmony among different ethnic groups.
The event was also attended by 11 emirs from within and outside the country, including emirs of Dutse, Jajere, Fune, Gwoza, Dass, representative of the Emir of Gombe and Sultan of Damagaram in Niger Republic.
Some members of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Special Advisers, security chiefs, top governments and political party officials among others were also present.
