By Khalid Idris Doya
The Emir of Zazzau in Kaduna state, His Royal Highness Mal. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli has called for continued prayers for peaceful coexistence among the diverse people of Nigeria and against insecurity bedevilling the country.
The Monarch who made the appeal at the 2023 Kaltungo Annual Carnival held in Kaltungo community of Gombe state Wednesday, stressed the need for intensified prayers to complement government’s efforts in addressing the challenges of insecurity and ensure peaceful coexistence among the people.
Mal. Nuhu Bamalli who is the Royal Father of the Day at the occasion, said that peace remained the key to development and a better society, and advised the people to live in peace and jettison acts that could threaten peaceful coexistence.
He commended the Mai Kaltungo, Engr. Saleh Muhammad for organising the event and hospitality especially the warm reception and pledged to retaliate.
The Mai Kaltungo, Engineer Saleh Muhammad, has earlier told the event that pulled crowds from within and outside Gombe state that prayers were necessary ingredients for complementing the government’s efforts at winning the war against insecurity and criminality in the country.
Mai Kaltungo, who is the deputy chairman, Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, also urged the people of Gombe to continue to live in peace while promoting issues that would strengthen unity in the state and the country at large.
He thanked the state government and security agencies for efforts so far made to sustain the relative peace being enjoyed by the people
He expressed appreciation to the emir of Zazzau, other traditional rulers and people from walks of life that graced the occasion.
Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya has in a message to the occasion assured of the Gombe state government’s support towards the promotion of unity among the citizenry through cultural events such as the Kaltungo annual festival.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr Manasseh Daniel Jatau, the Governor reminded the people to always respect their culture and tradition, expressing fear that culture of two ethnic groups in the state are on the way to diminish due to lack of promotion by the groups
The Chairman of the occasion, Hon. James Joseph Damara Kauran Kaltungo thanked the Mai Kaltungo for his exemplary leadership, fatherly role and guidance which promoted peace and brotherhood among his subjects.
The Chairman organising committee of the event, Hajiya Sa’adatu Saad Mustapha, Alkyebban Kaltungo appreciated the role played by journalists towards disseminating information that help to showcase the cultural heritage of Kaltungo community to the global community.
The carnival is a cultural festival organised to showcase the cultural heritage of the people of Kaltungo Chiefdom, enhance social interaction, promote peace and unity while strengthening cooperation among the diverse ethnic groups within and outside the state.
Guests and dignitaries were entertained with cultural and traditional dance, and inspection of historical products, traditional dishes and release of pigeons by the chairman of the occasion.
