The Senate President, Senator Godswilll Akpabio, has stated that the Berom annual cultural festival, “The Nzem Berom,” deserves wider recognition and could be ranked in the same bracket as the Brazilian Carnival because of its uniqueness and allure.
Senator Akpabio, who stated this during the 2024 Annual Nzem Berom Culto Festival in Jos, Plateau State, described the State Chairman of the Council of Chiefs and Emir, the Gbong Gwom Jos, and Da Jacob Gyang Buba as being a great patriot and light of the Berom nation, which has a longstanding tradition of celebrating its rich culture and heritage. The Nzem Berom festival stands as a testament.
The Senate President, who was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Labour, Employment, and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang, said that with the vibrancy and diversity of the Berom people, the festival has earned the reputation of being the greatest festival on the Plateau and remains a symbol of pride for the entire nation.
He said, “Unfortunately, the great tourism potential of this world-class cultural festival has not been fully tapped. Today, as we gather to celebrate the 2024 Nzem Berom Festival, we must commit to it. We must commit to letting the world know that the treasure we have in Berom no one like the good book says, lights a candle and puts it under a bushel. It is time to put this festival in the same bracket as the Brazilian carnival and make it one of the leading items in the world’s tourism calendar.
“It is instructive that in this year’s event, we mark two significant milestones in the history of the Birom nation. First, we unveil the Wurrung Legacy, a groundbreaking initiative that aims to fulfil the nation’s vision of establishing a technology village. This village will serve as a hope for harnessing the immense talents and technological capabilities of the Berom people, providing a platform for our youth to develop and contribute to the technological growth of our great nations.
“Secondly, we commemorate the 15th anniversary of His Majesty’s entrance as a Gbong Gwom of Jos; his leadership and unwavering dedication to the Berom Nation in particular and Nigeria at large have been instrumental in fostering unity, progress, and development among the Berom land and Plateau State.”.
He therefore expressed his appreciation to all, especially their commitment and labours of love for the Berom Nation, adding that it is their generosity and commitment that will make the realisation of the Wurrung Legacy Trust Fund and the success of the Nzem Berom Festival possible.
In his address to the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba said that a people without a culture and without traditions are a lost people. Adding to the celebration of the rich culture was a reminder to all that the Berom know who they are and where they are coming from.
He assured both the state and federal governments that the Berom Nations and Plateau State Council of Chiefs and Emirs are ready and willing to cooperate with the government as they endeavour to find solutions to the numerous problems in Nigeria.
He said, “Farming season has set in, and our people have gone back to their lands to continue age-old traditions of framing. We will appeal that the security works with the government of Plateau State to ensure protection for the people so that we can produce the food that we will need to sustain our lives, not only in Plateau State but in Nigeria as a whole.”
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
