Niger State Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has said the birth of the annual Nupe Day celebration, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of Nupe people and various crafts to the world, opened a new vista in the economic transformation of the state.
Speaking at the 9th Nupe Day celebration at the Etsu Nupe palace in Bida yesterday, Bello said the annual event was also an economic platform where the potentials within the state in form of various crafts are explored and harnessed.
In a speech read by the Head of Service, Alhaji bYabagi Sule, the governor commended the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, whose “dynamic and insightful leadership of Nupe nation is opening a new vista in socio-political and economic transformation of Nupeland.”
He said the event was also significant in putting “Nupe back on the world map where the gallantry of Nupecizhi during the colonial conquests and the contribution of Nupe emirs to the stability of colonial administration in Nigeria are on record.”
The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar said the significance of the annual cerebration was more in its promotion of unity and solidarity among the people and the opportunity to interact and discuss ways to further elevate the Nupe land and the state at large.
Also, the Etsu Tsonga, Alhaji Haliru Yahaya, who was the royal father of the day, urged traditional rulers to do more in assisting the federal government to fight corruption and insecurity.
