Promoting culture will foster unity, peace, national development – Assocation

The Eggon Cultural Development Association ( ECDA) Galle branch, Nasarawa said that promotion of culture would foster unity and peace among Nigerians.

Chairman of the association, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Galle, stated this on Sunday at the 5th Galle Day 2026 celebration in Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area.

The theme of the ceremony is: Harnessing Galle Hill’s Mineral Wealth ; Preserving Culture, Promoting Peace and Powering Development.

Abdullahi- Galle, who is also the General Secretary of ECDA worldwide, stated that Galle was a community globally recognised for promoting unity and cultural diversity.

The chairman said that the Galle cultural day served as a platform for celebrating unity, shared values and communal bonds, bringing together sons, daughters, friends and neighbouring communities.

“Our ability to sustain this event for five consecutive years, reflects the successes recorded in cultural revitalisation and community cohesion,” he added.

He commended all that supported and graced the occasion and prayed God to bless them abundantly.

Also speaking, Mr Labaran Magaji, the Special Guest of honour and the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, stressed the importance of preserving and promoting cultural values for societal development.

Magaji, represented by Mr Abdullahi Loko, Special Adviser to Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Inter-Governmental Matters, commended Galle community for organising the cultural festival.

He described it as a platform for sustaining Eggon cultural heritage among the younger generation.

Magaji called on the people of Galle, the state and Nigerians at large, to promote their cultural traditions for national development.

On his part, the President, ECDA, world wide, Mr David Abuluya, lauded the Galle community for sustaining the cultural day, which according to him, promotes unity, peace and harmony among the Eggon people and other ethnic groups.

“I want to use this medium to call on the people of Eggon nation and others to continue to embrace culture in order to promote unity and peace,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman, Nassarawa Eggon Local Governemnt Area, Alhaji Iliya Ibn Aliyu, said the cultural day would promote unity and peace among the Eggon nation and others.

He commended the organisers for the award given to him, adding that it would spur him to do more for the community.

Delivering a lecture at the event, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Allu Umbugadu, Department of Entrepreneurship Studies, Faculty of Administration, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, harped on the topic ; Youth Engagement and Economic Empowerment through Mineral Resources Development in the Galle Hills’.

He highlighted the vast opportunities embedded in the mineral wealth of the Galle hills for the economic empowerment of the youth beyond direct mining activities.

Umbugadu stated that mining had played a significant role in Nigeria’s economic history, particularly in the North Central region, where the state is located.

The guest speaker said that value addition, entrepreneurship and allied services around mineral resources could serve as viable avenues for empowering youths and fostering sustainable development.