Nzem Berom Cultural Festival 2017, was held on 19th May at
the Jos Township Stadium, Plateau State.
The occasion was well attended
with the Presence of the Plateau State Governor Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon
Lalong, Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, Former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang and the Gbong Gwon Jos Da
Gyang Buba, leading other state traditional rulers. Read the speech of the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Rt Hon SB Lalong.
SPEECH OF THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, RT.
HON. SIMON BAKO LALONG AT THE 2017 NZEM BEROM CULTURAL FESTIVAL AT THE RWANG
PAM TOWNSHIP STADIUM, FRIDAY 19TH APRIL, 2017
PROTOCOL
It is my esteemed privilege
to be a part of the celebration of this year’s Nzem Berom. This celebration is
another eloquent show of the spirit of cohesion that has strengthened the bond
of brotherhood of the Berom Nation, and will go down in the annals of history
as a celebration worthy of preservation and promotion.
I commend the
Chairman of the Jos Joint Traditional Council and Plateau State Traditional
Council of Chiefs, His Majesty, Da Jacob Gyang BubaCON,
and his Chiefs in Council, the Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO)
as well as all Berom Sons and Daughters, for preserving the Culture and History
of the Berom people through the celebration of the Nzem Berom Festival of Arts
and Culture.
This event no doubt
epitomizes the resolute commitment and determination of the Berom to sustain
this cultural celebration because of the value it has on generations. For us on
the Plateau, the richness of our cultures and peaceful traditional disposition
have endeared us to many ethnic groups in the country and nationals beyond
Africa. This statement has publicly been made by the cosmopolitan setting of
the State as a miniature Nigeria.
The Berom people are
no doubt a privilege people with the gift of natural resource of land, weather
and geography. Given that your ancestral land of heritage is the Seat of
Government, the Berom Nation remain the frontline projectors of the
hospitability and conviviality of the people of Plateau State. You are the
brand of the Plateau spirit and as an appreciation of this gift of nature, you
must continue to dignify and justify the enviable appellation of our State
being the Home of Peace and Tourism.
The crisis of the
past decade notwithstanding, the renewed spirit of forgiveness, peace and
accommodation that has been nurtured by the predominant Christian persuasion of
the Berom Race, must not be allowed to be spirited away by any form of
provocation. While the price of peace remains eternal vigilance, our vigilance
will be lived through the virtues that have defined us as a people.
I must at this point
commend the entire Berom Nation for her commitment to the peace building
process on the Plateau. Joining the wagon of peace has taken us to the
destination we are today. Together with all your sons and daughters at home and
abroad, we shall remain partners in the project of consolidating on the peace
we are now enjoying, and we will continue to work assiduously to make the peace
in the State enduring.
I will not fail to
quickly mentioned that Government is aware that there are displaced villagers
stretching from Riyom to Barkin Ladi amongst which are Jol, Kwi, Rim, Bachit
and Gashish where inhabitants are experiencing threats and the trauma of
resettlement and reintegration. Our current efforts through the Peace Building
Agency we have established, will accelerate the post-conflict transformation
and reintegration of the people. The Humanitarian challenges in these areas have
to a large extent been addressed through the efforts of Government, the
Communities, Humanitarian and Faith Based Organizations, the Human Security and
State Security Component will continue to be addressed. We will ensure that we
identify and isolate healthy conflicts over land resources from sheer acts of
criminality and brigandage. This we will do through community participation and
effective policing so our people can fully settle to a life free of threat and
build our families in an environment of peace.
Having given this
assurances on what remains of the embers of our post – conflict experience, let
me use this medium to commend BECO for focusing on culture and education as tools
for unity and progress as the Theme for the 2017 Nzem Berom. Last year
it was Nzem Berom “A Cultural Brand for Unity, Peace and Progress”.
The combination of
culture and education must be such that it guarantees peace and provide the
vehicle for progress. Education will light the path of ignorance, while culture
will nurture the values and virtues of our lives as a people. Through our
culture of industry, discipline, commitment, accommodation, courage and
peaceful co-existence we will enhance our socio-political and economic well
being. Education will in its own right
enhance the application of this knowledge and cultural values which are central
to the lives of the Berom for the good of the Berom Nation and the State in
general.
Let me employ this
medium to challenge the Berom Nation to sustain the dynamism that has evolved
in the Nzem Berom Festival by incorporating actions that tend to create more
awareness, in critical areas of Agriculture, Health, Education and Economic
Empowerment. This will serve the purpose of globally inviting the attention of
investors to the multi-sectoral benefits of engaging the potentials that reside
in the Berom land and the State for our economic benefit.
Distinguished ladies
and gentlemen as I have reiterated in all Cultural Festivals in the State, our
Government recognizes that culture is a veritable tool to mirror the identity
of the people and as such this cannot be isolated from Education and Community
Development. Celebrating Annual Cultural Festival is therefore an avenue and a
potent vehicle for keeping alive the rich cultural heritage and values, now
gradually going into extinction because of the misconstrued perception of
globalization which seems to pass for westernization among the youth. I dare to
say a
people without a culture are a people without a value, and a
people without a value are a people with a lost identity and infact
a bleak future.
The premium our
Rescue Administration places on Cultural Tourism will see us supporting
Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Development. Our rich cultural traditions,
natural endowments, scenic beauty, friendly climate, when fully harnessed will have
the multiplier effect of attracting tourists and investments to the State. This
we have started doing with the recently held Jos Music Fiesta and Carnival.
To improve on this, the
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality in collaboration with the various Cultural
and Development Associations, will ensure the streamlining of celebrations of Annual
Cultural Festivals and also ensure that planned attendance by other ethnic
groups in a complimentary manner to emphasize our unity as a people. The Plateau
Festival of Arts and Culture will also be held to showcase our rich cultural
diversity and to prepare the State annually for the National Festival of Arts
and Culture.
Further to this, and
in order to harvest and harness the great potentials of our youth within the
context of our cultural endowment and the opportunities that exist in the
creative and entertainment industries, Government will support and promote
indigenous films and music. This is one viable platform through which we intend
to stimulate the engagement of talents and provision of employment for our
teeming Youth. I will therefore urge the Traditional Institutions to support
this initiative by providing the rich cultural resources and traditional
orientation that the Youth need for this tourism export in the entertainment
and creative industry.
Let me use the
opportunity of this festival to once again assure all our Traditional Leadership
and Citizens, that the review of Districts, Chiefdoms, Village Areas and the
creation of Development Areas, will soon be given Statutory Approval, to ensure
that deserving communities as recommended and considered in line with the aspirations
of the people are gazetted. This is one exercise which we believe will give
these communities a sense of well being and enhance peaceful coexistence among
all our ethnic nationalities. We might seems to be taking our time to actualize
this, the reason is not far fetch as the desire is to ensure that from well
informed position and thought out action, it becomes a platform for enhancing
the mutual coexistence of all ethnic Nationalities and not to serve as a
trigger for conflict. So while we look forward to best of decisions, we urge
all to be patient as it will see the light of the day.
Already Government has
given effect to some of the recommendations of the Committee on the Review of
Salary and Welfare Packages of Traditional Rulers. We have also given Staff of
Offices to Chiefdoms which were unjustly and illegally reversed by the last
administration, so that our Paramount Rulers are motivated to give in their
best in the preservation of peace and for the development of their localities.
I will not end this
address without thanking the various Traditional Rulers who have graced this
occasion. Of particular mention is the Chairman of the South-South Traditional
Rulers Forum, His Majesty Edmund Maduabebe
Daukoru, Mingi the Twelfth (XII) The Amanayabo and Paramount Ruler of Nembe
Kingdom who came all the way from Bayelsa
State. Other Royal Highnesses from the North and Leaders of ethnic Nationalities
in the Country, I thank you for your presence and show of solidarity and
brotherhood. This act will no doubt strengthen the fabric of our unity and
continue to promote National Integration.
Our Distinguished
Invitees and Special Guests of Honours, your presence at this occasion is an honour
to the State beyond just the Berom people, and for this I commend you for
identifying with our rich cultural endowment as a State.
Finally, I
congratulate the Gbong Gwom Jos, His Majesty Da Jacob Gyang BubaCON,
the Dagwom Rweis in Council, BECO and all Berom Sons and Daughters at home and
in diaspora, for a successful event. May the bonds of our unity and the value
of our rich cultural heritage continue to help us sustain the peace in our land
in Honour of God and for benefit of humanity.
I wish you a
memorable celebration and a safe journey back to your various destinations.
Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong
Executive Governor
PHOTO GALLERY:
Photo Credit – Jenvulu