The Gbagyi elders in Paiko, in Paiko local government area of Niger state have come together with the aim of reviving the declining culture of the tribe and save the language from extinction.
To this end, the elders, under the aegis of PaiGokni Development Association organized PaiGokni Annual Cultural Fiesta in Paiko town where the people converged to showcase the rich culture of the tribe and its arts and craft.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said the state government would continue to support any initiative by individual and associations that was geared toward making the youths to be self reliant through entrepreneurship for personal development.
Represented by the Commissioner of Water Resources and Dams Development, Alhaji Mamman Musa, the Governor stressed the need for people of the state, irrespective of ethnic and religious differences, to unite and learn to live in peace with each other for rapid socioeconomic development of the state.
Governor Bello expressed delight that the concept of the festival is for the Gbagyi person to rediscover his historical background and urged other ethnic groups to emulate the initiative.
The President of the Association, Ambassador Zubairu Dada maintained that the objective of the annual festival was to revive the culture of the Gbagyis and reawaken the consciousness of its people to the declining use of its language by the people.
He said the Gbagyis were hitherto identified through their rich culture, language, arts and craft, lamenting that over the years these heritages are on the decline because of western interferences.
He said the situation was compounded by the failure of parents to speak the language to their children, adding that because of the anomaly an average Gbagyi child can hardly understand the most basic of the language.
He explained that the Association was also encouraging the youths to embrace the arts and craft the people are noted for in addition to enrolling them in other skills as means of empowerment so that they contribute their quota to the society.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
