By Sunday Gbegbe, Abuja.
The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has reaffirmed his commitment to the unity, peace and development of Gbagyi people.
He gave the pledge at the unveiling of the Gbagyi Elders’ Forum (GEF) held at Merit House, Abuja.
Comrade Yakubu Garba described the Gbagyi Elders Forum as a veritable platform that will advance the trajectory of unity, development and peace of the Gbagyi people.
While commending the pioneer leaders of the Forum for their foresight, he urged them to navigate the platform for the good of all.
The Deputy Governor urged representatives of Gbagyi people at all levels to be selfless and patriotic, but frowned at tendencies of self-aggrandizement and opinionated struggles of selfishness.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Forum’s Board of Trustees, Pa. Peterston Kaura echoed the need for the reinvigoration of the Gbagyi creed through shared unity and purpose, stating that part of the objectives of the forum is to foster unity as a sacred requirement for advancement and prosperity.
Delivering his Lecture, the guest speaker and historian, Prof. Enoch Oyedele dispelled the two legends that suggest that the Gbagyis migrated from Maiduguri or Katsina.
Professor Oyedele maintained with historical facts and perspectives, that the Gbagyis are from the Nok extraction.
He extolled the Gbagyis’ disposition to peace, tolerance, and truth.
Prof. Enoch Oyedele further defined the ancestral geographical territory of the Gbagyis to include the present day FCT, Kaduna, Niger, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Kogi State.
He urged the Gbagyis to rise above primordial sentiments of dialectical and religious differences, and reclaim their rightful place in nation building.
Discussants and other speakers at the event expressed confidence that the Gbagyi Elders Forum will catalyse the renaissance for the much needed unity, growth and prosperity.
As the premier Gbagyi platform, the Gbagyi Elders’ Forum is an assembly of eminent elders with a vision to entrench cohesion and advance the socio-economic, socio-political, and socio-cultural well being of the Gbagyis.
