NDE DG Lauds Lawmaker for Preserving Culture via Carnival 

Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

The Director General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Silas Agara, has hailed Hon. Jeremiah Umaru, representing Akwanga/Nassarawa-Eggon/Wamba federal constituency in the National Assembly, for his effort towards preserving the culture and traditions of the area.

Agara stated this at the 2024 North-central Sisinbaki Cultural Carnival in Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Friday.

The NDE boss said that this is the first time he was attending the Sisinbaki Cultural Carnival and the event was highly impressive.

Agara said that this is the only way that cultural heritage could be preserved and boosted if given the necessary support.

He also said that the event had boosted the economy of the people of Wamba and exposed it to the world given the dignitaries that attended the carnival.

Also, Mustapha Zeberu Adams, Gum Mama and Chairman of Ferin-Ruwa Chiefdom of Wamba LGA, appreciated the lawmaker for taking it upon himself to organise the event annually for the last 10 years.

He said that it was a platform where the culture and traditions of the various ethnic groups were showcased and enabled the young generation to learn from each other.

He, therefore, advised parents to speak their mother tongue to their children and make up time to bring them to cultural activities in order to preserve their culture from instinction.

Also, Mrs Theresa Tanze, the National President of Rindre Cultural Development Association, described the 2024 edition of the carnival as the best, given the innovations that were introduced.

She said that the event was educative, entertaining and prayed God to bless all those who are investing in the cultural heritage of the indigenous people in order to preserve it.

In his opening remarks, the lawmaker said that this was the 10th edition of the programme he was supporting to revive the cultural heritage of the people and promote peace and unity in the area.

Umaru explained that as a young person, he observed that the wall of culture was falling, hence the need for deliberate efforts to revive and promote it.

“It is our collective responsibilities to preserve the culture from going into extinction and passed it to our children as it was done by our parents.

“We cannot afford to fail in this responsibility because any man without culture has lost his identity,” the lawmaker added.

Umaru also said that they are partnering with others to provide a platform for the rich culture of the people in the area to be showcased to the world.

He therefore presented N1 million and one cow to the Anzanlu Dancers of Nassarawa-Eggon who came first, N700,000 and one cow to Rindre Women Cultural Dancers from Wamba and Mada Cultural Dancers who took second and third respectively.

He also gave consultation prizes to all the cultural groups from the North-central zone and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as Taraba and Kaduna States who attended the carnival.

The festival featured a range of activities, including Gogye Dancers from Ukari, Taraba State; Nupe from Niger; Jarawa dancers from Plateau; Alago, Kwandara, Antelope from Kaduna; Sinsinbaki Women; Messengers Kulere Dancers, Eggon; and Mada among others.