Launch of Eloyi Foundation Heritage Resource Centre Marks New Era for Afo Community – Mohammed Otto
By Roseline Okafor, Nasarawa
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industries in Nasarawa State, Mohammed Sani Otto, has emphasized the importance of unity among the Afo nation for community development.
He made this call during the unveiling of the “Eloye Foundation Heritage Resource Centre” held in Nasarawa Local Government Area.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Eloyi Foundation Heritage Resource Centre, the commissioner for commerce and industries, Mohammed Sani Otto, highlighted the significance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting unity among community members.
He expressed gratitude to Dr. David Egya for initiating the centre, which will serve as a hub for identifying and preserving Afo history and culture.
Rev. Kwokpa Adeyi Uwelo, in his address, lamented the endangerment of the Eloyi language, which is gradually falling victim to more dominant languages like Hausa, Agatu, and English and emphasized the need for efforts to preserve the language and culture of the Afo people.
“You will find out that an Eloyi person will prefer communicating in one of the above languages, for example, like in the case of Hausa you will hear an Eloyi saying, ” Obaba Mi” instead of Ads mi, meaning my father and “Omama mi” instead of Ene mi, meaning my Mother”
Similarly, a University don, prof. Egya, who spoke on the role of Academic institutions in documenting and preserving cultural Heritage, advocated for the centre to be situated in a higher institution to serve as a research base for Afo culture and identity.
On their parts, Prof. Abdulkareem Kana and Prof. Ogba Likita, stressed the importance of education and cultural revitalization for the Afo people and urged parents to prioritize their children’s education and called for efforts to preserve Afo culture, which is essential for unity and identity.
Dr. Mohammed Aikaka and Air Commodore Yahaya Owuna (retd), Administrator of Udege Administrative Area Council, commended the initiative to establish the Eloyi Foundation Heritage Resource Centre, pledging their support for the centre, which will serve as a hub for reviving Afo history and culture.
Speaking earlier, Dr. David Egya, Founder and initiator of the centre, revealed that the idea was conceived while he was conducting research in the UK where he discovered that many researchers had conducted extensive studies on Afo culture, and he gained valuable insights into his own culture outside Nigeria.
The centre is a testament to his commitment to preserving and promoting Afo heritage.
Cultural preservation is essential for promoting unity and identity among community members. The Eloyi Foundation Heritage Resource Centre will serve as a vital institution for preserving Afo history and culture, providing a platform for research, education, and cultural exchange.
By preserving their cultural heritage, the Afo people can promote unity, understanding, and development in their community.
