National
Six years after, Kaduna community revived cultural festival to promote national integration
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
It was a joyful moment for the Ham people, in Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State, as hundreds of dignitaries from diverse ethnic groups within and outside the State gathered to celebrate the annual ‘TUK-ham festival’ showcasing its rich cultural heritage after six years of suspension due to insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Ham people in Kwoi, the Paramount Chief, Kpok Ham, Dr. Gyet Maude, said Tuk-ham was last celebrated six years ago due to a sharp increase in the incidences of communal attacks, banditry, kidnappings, and terrorism which create general insecurity that affected normal life and daily activities not only in their surrounding communities but in many other areas in the State and beyond.
According to him, it is a thing of joy that after these years of fear and uncertainty, they gather again because things have somehow abated and normalcy has gradually returned in relative terms.
” From its inception in 1980, the Tuk Ham Festival was conceived to take place during the Easter season; a season that is of great significance to Christians around the world. As you well know, Easter is the season that Christians commemorate the death and triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Celebrating the Tuk-Ham festival during this historic season draws us closer to God in introspection on what He has done in our lives over the years.
” The celebration of Tuk Ham serves two purposes thanksgiving and supplication. First, we have to take time especially to thank God for the bountiful harvest of the immediate past farming season, and second, to pray for success, protection, and multiplication of blessings in the next farming season.
He explained that the Tuk-ham festival is deeply tied to farming as the dominant occupation of the Ham people, while calling on the people and the teeming youths in particular, to bring back to mind and revive the time-honored tradition of communal farming.
While commenting on the ginger pandemic, the monarch appealed to both the State and the Federal government to put together a special package of financial and material support to help ameliorate the losses suffered by ginger farmers.
He lamented that more than 80% of ginger farming capacity in terms of seedlings has been lost, adding the future of ginger farming in Hamland precariously hangs in the balance because both the variety and quantity of product may be lost completely,” He added.
” To avoid a total calamity the government needs to either support or commission academic research into the root cause of the ginger pandemic to find an effective and lasting solution to its menace.
He finally commended sons and daughters of the land for funding some projects that transformed the Ham land.
Chairman of the occasion, Amb. Bulus Lolo said it is not in their time the Tuk-ham cultural festival will die, stressing they’ll do anything to preserve the Ham culture.
Hon. Dr Gideon Jock and Engr. Mamudi Ladan, great sons of the land, said the Tuk-ham used to be celebrated worldwide, people usually come across the globe to join the Ham people in celebrating their day because of the rich cultural values of the Nok- Nok-Terracotta.
” The more the Ham people celebrate the Tuk-ham the more they’re united, it makes us remember our cultural backgrounds and our grand-parents.
They noted that the topography and Mountains that surrounded the Ham land could be made to be a good place for tourism where people from different parts of the World can come and see the beautiful land.
They encourage other privileged individuals to come back home and see how decaying the system is and put their hands together to attract development in the land.
PUNCH reports that the Ham people, are the custodians of the world-renowned Nok Culture and famous Terracotta, dating back to 500 BC.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Christians and other Nigerians, to leverage the lessons of Christ’s resurrection and imbibe the message of hope and victory over the nation’s current challenges.
Jonathan stated this in his Easter message, by his Special Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, on Friday in Abuja.
Jonathan encouraged Nigerians to remain positive and draw strength from Christ’s love and sacrificial death for humanity and his gift of salvation.
The former president reminded leaders to be selfless and embrace the virtues of servanthood, sacrifice and passion for service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
“I join millions of Christians around the world to commemorate Good Friday.
“This day reminds us all of the sacrificial death of Christ for humanity and His gift of salvation and redemption to all believers.
“This moment reminds Christians of servanthood and passion of service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, who died to save humanity from sin and reconcile all to God.
“At Easter, we reflect on the power of Christ’s love, the gift of righteousness and the triumph of hope over despair and every challenge in life,” Jonathan said.
He further noted that the death and resurrection of Christ on the cross, awakens all to the boundless love of God toward mankind.
The former president also said that Easter also served as a reminder of the possibilities, faith in God, offered man on earth.
“I urge all citizens to be encouraged by the story of the resurrection of Christ and the lessons of hope and victory that are contained in it.
“Let us be reminded about the purpose of salvation and the essence of mercy and the triumphing power of faith and hope over all circumstances,” he said.
Jonathan also urged the citizens to remain positive of the possibilities within the nation.
He also urged Nigerians to draw strength through hope that the people would triumph over challenges they faced, both as individuals and collectively as a nation.
“This moment points us to the virtues of servanthood, sacrifice and passion for service. Let us recommit to pursuing peace and justice for all.
“As a people, let this season renew our faith, strengthen our hope and guarantee us peace.
“Let us continue to imbibe and pursue these virtues and work toward building a nation of peace, unity and love,” he said.(NAN)
…Gives condition to forgive Fubara
… Says I wanted Fubara’s removal, Tinubu saved Rivers
Abubakar Yunusa
Nyesom Wike has described talks about a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu as not sincere and believes those behind it are doing so for selfish reasons.
Wike, the Minister of the FCT, said this in Abuja on Friday during a media chat, accusing the masterminds of running away from issues bedevilling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party.
He said, “those who are looking for a coalition are for selfish interests, the likes of Atiku and other people, which coalition, with whom?
“Why not come in to repair your party? Everybody wants to become president of the country, nobody wants to say, look, let me build our party so that at the end of the day, our party will be in a formidable position as an opposition party to take over power.
“You don’t do that, the only thing you want to do is let me find a way; how I will be the one, and if that does not happen, then it’s to your tent, oh Israel,” the immediate past governor of Rivers state said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, are among political heavyweights planning to float a coalition to dislodge President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
That push has continued to make headlines in the country in the past months, but Wike said those behind it, especially members of the main opposition PDP, should fix their party instead.
Wike criticised Atiku, the arrowhead of the coalition movement, saying the ex-VP is about to make the mistakes that led to the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
“You make the mistake yesterday, you want to repeat the same mistake today, tomorrow you make the same mistake, and then you come out to say you were rigged out, who rigged you out? You’ve already rigged yourself by causing crisis,” Wike said.
The minister, who is a member of the PDP, also said the party is not ready for the next presidential election scheduled for 2027.
“The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? You don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class,” he said.
“That is the situation of the PDP. So, they cannot say for sure that they are ready for 2027. Power struggle cannot help the party.”
Governor Uba Sani says his administration has improved access to tertiary education in Kaduna State by reducing tuition fees of state-owned tertiary institutions by 50%.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University (KASU) chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union and a public lecture, the Governor stated that the tuition cut has enabled more students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university degrees with greater ease.
Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to the students for honouring him with the Sword of Honour Award and acknowledged their recognition of his administration’s developmental strides.
He reassured the students of his government’s continued support, urging them to maintain peace to allow development initiatives to thrive. “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course,” he said.
The Governor advised students not to allow themselves to be used by agents of disunity and chaos, warning that no meaningful development can occur in a climate of unrest and distrust. However, he commended students for being “reliable partners of progress.”
Addressing the issue of security, Uba Sani recalled how parts of the state were under siege due to insecurity, which disrupted farming and business activities. He said the situation has improved considerably through the efforts of security agencies, leading to safer roads, the return of farmers, and the reopening of local markets—including the Birnin Gwari cattle market after a decade-long closure.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructure efforts, the Governor said his administration has embarked on over 78 road projects covering 775 kilometers, many of which are rural link roads. He added that General Hospitals are being remodelled and 255 healthcare centres upgraded. Additionally, new schools are being constructed while existing ones are being refurbished to create a better learning environment.
The student union explained that Governor Uba Sani was awarded the Sword of Honour for his commitment to educational development. They praised the tuition reduction and the establishment of new faculties at KASU, including his facilitation of the CBN Intervention Project for the Faculty of Engineering.
They also commended the Governor’s directive allowing students to sit for examinations regardless of outstanding fees, describing it as a gesture of compassion and commitment to inclusive education.
The union concluded that Governor Uba Sani has redefined good governance by prioritizing education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.