Bomba Dauda
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Kasheem Shettima, said,
as the homeland of Nigeria’s first and one of the world’s earliest civilizations—the Nok Culture—the Ham people undoubtedly boast a rich cultural heritage.
Shettima made these comments through his representative, Mr. Rijo Shekari, Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President and member Presidential Committee on Nigeria Youth Investment Fund.
at the Tuk-Ham Cultural Festival, in Kwoi, headquarters of Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He further stated that, The Nok terracotta, first discovered in 1928, attests to the Nok people’s remarkable achievements in agriculture, technical development, social life, and religious practices, showcasing Nigeria’s ancient cultural richness.
Despite being a small settlement, the Nok civilization was a complex, culturally rich society that displayed extraordinary skills for its time and is believed to have influenced later cultures in the Niger River forest areas, such as Igbo-Ukwu, Benin, and Ife.
The history of the Nok Culture serves as a challenge to today’s inhabitants of southern Kaduna, with over fifty ethnic groups, to revive that ancient spirit of resilience and progress in agriculture, industry, technology, and culture. This is why I not only salute but agree with the organizers of today’s event for choosing “Unveiling the Rich Cultural Heritage of the Ancient Nok Civilization” as this year’s theme for the Tuk Ham Cultural Festival.
To achieve this noble objective, however, it is essential for the people of the Nok area to eschew bitterness, embrace dialogue, and collaborate with one another, governments at all levels, and other relevant stakeholders to restore peace and consolidate progress in security, agriculture, education, healthcare, and infrastructure, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Indeed, unveiling the rich cultural heritage of the Nok civilization requires massive investment in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, and, most importantly, security and peace. I’m proud to say that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shares this great vision and is leading the way with initiatives like the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan. I challenge the elected Kaduna State government, other elected representatives from this area, and stakeholders to complement Mr. President’s commitment by working together in the best interest of the people. I’m happy Governor Uba Sani is already championing a more secure, united, just, equitable, and peaceful Kaduna State.
