From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
An ethnic group, Gbagyi people from Kaduna State have said that culture remains a uniting force that can tame the menace of rising division among residents of Kaduna State, hence the use of song and dance to promote love, peace and unity among the people in the State.
To this end, the group in their large numbers gathered in Kaduna on Easter Monday to celebrate what they call “Akavulu Nya,” “our cultural heritage that seeks to promote love, peace and unity, through singing and dancing”
Gbagyi is an ethnic group found predominantly in central nigeria, with an estimated population figure put at 5.8 million, according to the 2006 population census, spread across Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory. (FCT)
Speaking at the event in Kaduna, the host, Mr. Nathaniel Alkali said, “the idea is to foster peaceful coexistence among the Gbagyi people even as peace remains the universal craving of every society”.
Alkali further explained that the program is one of the platforms to get people’s attention and encourage them to tow the path of peace, unity and love, adding that there can be no sane society without love for each other.
“We are here to celebrate the Gbagyi culture and to showcase the culture to the world as a peace and loving culture that we are.
“We make the event to be called Akavulu Nya, which is one of the culture of Gbagyi people when it comes to cultural dance in different ways.
“We are trying to address peace and unity. We want people to come together and feel the love of one another as this will foster peaceful coexistence among the Gbagyi people.
“In one way or the other we all need that place amongst us. This is the best place to get people’s attention and encourage them to tow the path of peace, unity and love.
“We did the event last year and we are back again this year. It’s going to still happen next year and we hope it gets bigger by next year.” Alkali said.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the event, one of the participants and popular Gospel Minister, Friday Jibo said the program is apt, coming at a time where Nigerians are passing through a lot of difficulties.
Jibo said, “until people value their cultural heritage and embrace one another as brothers and sisters, it will be very difficult to have a united country that can stand and fight a just course that can champion development”.
The gospel singer called on the people to celebrate each other in love so as to bring the best out of them.
END.