By Khalid Idris Doya
A Paramount Northern Monarch, the Mai Kaltungo, Engr. Sale Muhammadu Umar has tasked his people to guard and preserve their farm produce for use ahead of the next planting season/harvest.
The Monarch at the just concluded Kaltungo annual cultural festival told his subjects, “We are farmers, prices of foodstuff are soaring in the markets, so we are calling on our farmers not to take advantage of the commodity prices hike in thirst of money to sell all their produce before the next season”.
Mai Kaltungo explained that should they mistakenly take that advantage to misuse the produce, they would eventually run into food scarcity, probably when the commodities would be sky-rocketting when they could not afford to buy, thereby falling the traps of famine.
Mai Kaltungo Saleh Muhammad therefore advised farmers in his domain to be extra-careful in the sale of their farm produce, so that they could preserve substantial parts for the rainy day, saying “You should not ignorantly put yourselves in okra soup”.
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.
Speaking earlier the chairman of the occasion, Hon. Jerry Joseph Damara said that he was very excited to welcome tumultuous dignitaries to the festival from both within and outside the country, saying delightfully “Our culture is our identity and way of life as reflected in the presence gathering”.
Mr. Joseph Kauran Kaltungo declared, “This place gives credence to the fact that a man without culture is nobody. Helpfully, we great people of Gombe state can boost our rich culture on amiable identity which has thus given us the impetus to converge here today for being celebrated”.
“The uniqueness of our culture rests on the diversity with variation in cultural elements like belief food, music, clothing within our admired culture and advocacy of mutual respect, acceptance and inclusion for the entrenchment of peace, unity and tranquility among the different ethno-religious groups and culture”, he concluded.
Also the Royal Father of the Day at the occasion, 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.
He stressed the need for intensified prayers to complement the government’s efforts in addressing the challenges of insecurity and ensure peaceful coexistence among the people.
Mal. Nuhu Bamalli 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 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.
