Gombe Govt organises gala night for ACReSAL officials
…showcases cultural endowments
The Government of Gombe State has hosted officials of the Agro- Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes project to a gala night at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Gombe.
The officials include the Task Team Lead, Dr Joy Aganya Agene, the National Programme Coordinator, Mr Abdulhamid Umar, and other officials from the World Bank, national level, as well as from Bauchi and Plateau States were in the state for the flag-off of ACReSAL project support in Gombe and launching of campaign on tree planting at College of Education Billiri, Billiri Local Government Area.
During the gala night the Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, said the event was the Governments way of welcoming the guest to the state and taking time off from hectic official engagement to refresh and relax.
He further explained that, it was also to showcase the rich cultural endowments of the state, having witnessed the display of some of the cultural dances including Laku Romo, from Kaltungo Local Government Area, Ngorda dancers from Yamaltu- Deba, and the state cultural troupe, among others.
Jatau said culture is the major aspect that distinguishes man from other lower animals, pointing out that a people without culture are people without identity.
He said, “We organised this dinner to showcase our rich cultural endowments. We also want our guests to have time off after performing official engagements and still getting ready for one tomorrow. We appreciate your visit to Gombe State and therefore the gala night is to welcome you on a special note.
“Culture gives people their identity. In climes that are prone to earthquakes even animals know when there is going to be one, implying that lower animals can instinctively study and respond to there environment. It therefore behoves that culture is the major thing that distinguishes man from other lower animals.
“It is therefore lamentable that, language which forms greater aspect of human culture and values are not taken serious by others. Research shows that, out of the 521 languages in Nigeria, 2 languages have gone extinct and out of the 26 ethnic nationalities in Gombe 2 tribes are at the verge of going extinct.”
He noted that the essence of showcasing the cultural heritage is to promote them and to stop them from extinction.
Earlier, the Project Coordinator ACReSAL, Gombe State, Ambassador Sani Adamu Jauro, welcomed the guest to the gala night and urged them to relax and enjoy the dinner.
He said, “it is part of the hospitality of the people of Gombe State the Jewel in the Savannah to treat their guest very well and allow them to feel at home whenever they come visiting the state.”
The guests were also treated to a sumptuous meal.
Wilson Jonah Yakubu,
Press Secretary/ Information Officer,
Deputy Governor’s Office.
