By Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
In a bid to sustain and maintained enduring peace after years of ethnic crisis, an annual multi ethnic cultural festival has been initiated for Toto local government area of Nasarawa state.
The maiden festival which was organised by the people of Toto local government area to be part of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, was held at the local government headquarters on Thursday in Toto, with the Nasarawa state government, various ethnic groups, stakeholders, indigenous and non indigenous Nigerians from all walks of life participating.
Nasarawa state Governor, Engineer Abdulllahi Sule, represented by the state Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Dogo Shama, in his address at the occasion, described the display of the rich culture by the diverse ethnic groups in Toto LGA as a sign of their readiness for development.
The Governor explained that the investors all over the world can only establish businesses in peaceful areas, where their lives and property will be safe and secured .
He said the sitting of the AZMAN rice and agro allied company in Toto LGA is as a result of the guarantee by the government that peace has returned to the area and fit for serious business, just as other investors have also declared their intention to establish industries in the local government area.
The Governor promised that with the opportunity coming to Toto LGA , Youths reactiveness will definitely reduce drastically, while jobs will be created for the thousands of unemployed roaming the streets.
“Since 2019; the government has been displaying the cultural value of state to the outside world and arrangements are in top gear to organise cultural festival this year through which we can showcase our potentials”, the Governor stated.
While thanking the organisers of the multi ethnic cultural festival, the Governor equally commended them for their foresight and initiative , assuring that they will be adequately rewarded.
In his remarks, the Speaker Nasarawa state House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullah, said the multi ethnic cultural festival is laudable and timely as it will unite the entire people for the progress and development of the LGA.
He confirmed that the people of the local government area are now more united and have said ‘no’ to crises and insecurity as they have resolved to embraced peace, unity and tranquillity.
The lawmaker who commended the state Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule for his love and concern for Toto local government area, said the people of the area has reciprocated positively through every means one of which is the maiden multi ethnic cultural festival.
On the forthcoming local government election in the state. the Speaker, appealed to the All Progressive Congress (APC) supporters to vote massively for the party and its candidates as has been done during the past elections.
Party Congress: APC Stakeholders Nasarawa West holds emergency meeting in Keffi, adopts consensus.
He therefore reminded party supporters and loyalists to maintain the status of Toto as the home of APC.
Nasarawa state Commissioner of Health Pharm. Yahaya Baba Ahmed, who hails from Toto, in his welcome address, disclosed that the government is taking the festival with all seriousness in view of the gains to be derived especially peace and stability.
Pharm. Ahmed, who said the cultural festival will be an annual event,urged the people of the area to continue to give the government the necessary support for the fast development of the area.