Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has said lots of Nigerians have acquired anti-social vices from foreign cultures among which are corruption and drug abuse.
Speaking at theTarok Cultural Carnival 2018 organised by Ntim Otarok Cultural Association(NOCA), in Mabudi, Langtang South Local Government of Plateau State, Dalung said the God given Nigerian culture taught good morals and values that abhor some social vices that are prevalent in the nation today.
The minister, a Torok indigine himself, said the infiltration of foreign cultures into indigenous cultures has stagnated the country’s development efforts in many ways.
“It is sad today that many people want to live like westerners and abandon their own local cultures. That is what is responsible for the anti-social vices and behaviours that is widespread in the society today. And such anti social vices have hampered development in many ways.
“Indigenous culture, like that of the Taroks which we are celebrating today, and of which I belong to, teaches us to be our brothers keepers. It also teaches us to speak with one voice and have common direction as a people.
“The importance of the occasion is to come together and speak in one voice as a people in brotherhood and hand over the bulk of cultural heritage to generations yet unborn. Hence, the theme of the carnival, ‘Promoting and Sustaining Tarok Culture in the 21st Century’ is very apt,” the Minister said.
He advised Tarok nation to remain united and design an agenda to take in further measures that would boost peace and tranquility and general development.
On the 2019 general elections, Dalung called on Tarok sons and daughters to refrain from politics of deceit, selfish interest and vote leaders that would protect their interest and bring them dividends of democracy.
In her remarks, Hon. Beni Lar, Member representing Langtang North/Langtang South at the House of Representatives, explained that the Tarok culture has come to stay, adding that people without culture and tradition have no focus and direction.
Lar assured the Tarok people of her continuous effective representation, noting that Tarok people believe in equity, justice and fairness.
The Chairman of Plateau Youth Council, Dr Jemchang Fabong, in a keynote address, charged Tarok people to preserve their cultural values in order to enhance peace and peaceful co-existence.
The carnival witnessed large turn out and the participation of dignitaries both within and outside Tarok land. The event also featured cultural dances and procession by different groups and age grades.
Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau was represented at the event by the Commissioner of Police, Plateau Command, Austin Agonlahor.
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