Gombe state governor, Inuwa Yahaya, has underscored the significance of preserving cultural values as a crucial tool for fostering peace and societal harmony.
Speaking at this year’s Kaltungo Carnival, the governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Manassah Jatau, asserted that the celebration of diverse cultural heritages provided a platform to unify beliefs and enhance understanding.
He attributed societal challenges to the neglect of cultural values and emphasised government’s commitment to supporting cultural initiatives.
According to him, Kaltungo carnival is significant as it provided an opportunity for the participants in the arts and culture sector to engage with each other, display their skills, and preserve their cultural norms.
He said, “Our government values the contribution of culture to the development of any community.
“We will set up a museum under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism where cultural relics will be safeguarded for evident reasons.”
He added that the government had maintained its support for cultural legacy by backing all ethnic groups that celebrate their cultural events.
The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, echoed the call to leverage culture for peace, praising the organizers of the Kaltungo carnival for promoting unity.
The Mai Kaltungo, Engr. Sale Mohammed, received commendation for consistently spearheading the annual carnival while urging Gombe residents to prioritise peaceful co-existence for development.
The event featured vibrant cultural displays by troupes from Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno states.
