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.
National
Insecurity: APC Forum Accuses Governor Dauda Of Failing to Protect Citizens Amid Party’s Abductions
The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the recent abduction of five party chieftains by armed bandits, accusing Governor Dauda Lawal of failing in his responsibility to protect citizens.
The kidnapped individuals, all from Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, were reportedly taken on Saturday while travelling to the Marafa area of the state.
The abductees include Yahaya Sani Dogon Kade, chairman of Dan Isah ward, Bello Dealer, chairman of Sakajiki ward, and three others whose names have not yet been released.
In a statement on Monday, its spokesperson Muhammed Ismaila Kaura criticised the governor’s handling of security in the state.
“As the chief security officer of the state, Governor Dauda Lawal bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation,” Kaura said.
“Unfortunately, he has failed to live up to this duty. This is not the time for excuses, blame games, or empty rhetoric. It is a time for decisive action.”
The party called for immediate and effective measures to secure the release of its members and to tackle the growing wave of banditry in the state.
“The people of Zamfara are tired of living in fear. We are tired of leaders who offer nothing but excuses while our brothers and sisters are being kidnapped, killed, and displaced. The time for action is now,” Kaura added.
The APC also urged security agencies to intensify efforts in tracking down the perpetrators and ensuring justice for the victims.
“This reprehensible act is not only an assault on the affected individuals and their families but also a direct attack on the peace and stability of our dear state,” the statement continued.
The forum reaffirmed its solidarity with the families of the abducted persons and vowed to continue pressing for their safe return.
“To the criminals behind this heinous act, let it be clear: Zamfara State belongs to its people, not to bandits. Your reign of terror must come to an end. And to the Governor, we say: act now, or history will remember you as a leader who failed his people in their time of greatest need.”
There has been no official response from the state government regarding the abductions. However, insecurity has remained a pressing issue in Zamfara, with frequent attacks by armed groups targeting both civilians and public officials under Governor Dauda lawal
The spokesperson for the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, has said that the sexual harassment allegation by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is not before the Senate.
Adaramodu made this disclosure while speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Monday.
He also maintained that the only case before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition is Akpoti-Uduaghan not complying with the Senate standing orders.
He said, “The only matter before the Senate is between Senator Natasha and the rest of the senators, that she is not complying with the standing orders of the Senate. No other issues.
Then, if there is anything that comes tomorrow about any senator in the National Aseembly, the ethics, privileges and public petition committee will review once it is referred to them. It is going to be taken as an internal affair.
“In the hallowed chamber, whatever we do or say is not actionable in the court, so because of that, the committee will treat the issue as it comes.
“The Senate does not run the committee with senators. The Senate President does not even run with its members. It is an independent committee.”
Details Later
National
Akpabio’s alleged sexual scandal: female CSOs demand Akpabio’s resignation for impartial investigation
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Coalition of Female Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria has called for the immediate and unconditional resignation of Senate President Godswill Akpabio over alleged sexual scandals involving Senator Natasha of Kogi State and other related cases from the past.
The coalition stated that it is to allow for an unbiased, thorough, and fair investigation into the allegations.
A statement issued on Monday by the Coalition of female CSOs signed by its coordinators from the six geopolitical zones of the country expressed concern over the allegations leveled against the Senate President for sexual assault by his colleague, Senator Natasha.
The Coordinators who signed the statement are Amina Usman Zubairu-North West, Falmata Babagana Gire-North East, Oyindamola Ojulari-
South West, Chinelo Emeka Augustin-
South East, Prisca Planknan Auta-North Central and Linda Emonefe-South South.
The group described the allegations as heavy, embarrassing, and an abuse of the Senator’s gender existence as a woman, saying, “Unless the Senate President had another motive (sexual harassment, which he is accused of) he had no justification for walking Senator Natasha out and threatening her with suspension or impeachment for rejecting a seating arrangement, something he did under Saraki’s leadership, and he wasn’t met with similar action.”
The Coalition, citing a newspaper report from the Whistler stated that Senator Akpabio has always had issues with women, stated that in 2022, a sexual assault allegation was made against him by former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunieh.
According to her, the statement explained that Akpabio promised to make her “NDDC substantive MD”, saying that it’s the same tactics Senator Natasha has accused Akpabio of, that if she acquiesced to sexual gratification, that she could “enjoy a whole lot in the Senate.”
The statement added that he (Akpabio) also talked down on another female colleague, Senator Kingib, during plenary and denied her the opportunity to contribute.
As a Female Civil Society Organisation that is gender sensitive, the statement explained, “we frown at these behaviors of the Senate President, we condemn them and also call for his resignation as Senate President to allow for uninterrupted investigations.”
As a subject of investigations into sexual harassment allegations, the group said that Akpabio should step aside and cannot be a judge in his own case, believing that his presence as the Senate President can compromise the course of investigation.
The group promised to come out next week with about 5,000 in number and shut down activities of the National Assembly in anger on Akpabio’s relationship with women if urgent steps are not taken to address the situation.
The also called on the National Human Rights Commission, Ethics and Privilege Committee of the National Assembly and other international bodies fighting against gender discrimination and sexual harassment of women to investigate Senator Akpabio, for this allegation and previous ones, saying that an injury to one, is an injury to all.