BY EZEKIEL DONTINNA
Building a purposeful unity is truly the strength and driving force of every existing society. This is achievable only when people sincerely shared values and agreed to pull off gowns and stage a direction that is beyond just identity,
What metamorphosed into today’s Ngas Nation started way back and not what one can dispel just like myth of classless society. The facts of adopting things that could make life meaningful and comfortable to them is traceable to the first beginning.
Their cultural heritage and pride are those hidden valves that control the generational balloon tires that roll over the years, keeping them together as a people to this great heights.
Although, records have it that the struggle for greener pastures considering their adventurous nature, was what took many of them out to foreign lands, but this bond of unity has always been their pledge.
This, has truly demonstrated itself when the Ngas Village Market came to fore. For this singular reason, there appears to be a spirit of oneness and an unprecedented reconnection among the Ngas sons and daughters.
Some never imagined meeting or rather put, identifying each other as belonging to the same tribe, but coincidentally got connected at this special market and freely cradled arms in arms as they shared and dance cultural foods and music together.
However, beyond just looking at the cultural and economic benefits this great Ngas Village Market has and so attracted, it will also interest you to that it has created platforms for cementing some long forgotten relationship.
Issues arising from either political or otherwise differences were openly thrown into the trash bins while in this market. That brotherhood was at play last Saturday when prominent sons and daughters stormed the Ngas Village Market.
The most amazing experience last Saturday, was the show of interests even in the rains. People were seen dancing when raining for half an hour, not minding the replying chilly weather of Jos.
While in an interview with some prominent sons led by Nde Yakubu Gomos Campaign Team, a frontline NDA Presidential candidate, truly demonstrated how committed these people are prepared for a common front.
Speaking to Engr. Nde Meshach Congo Maichibi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NMS Suites and Gardens Pankshin, he described the idea as awesome and a rebirth of Ngas cultural heritage.
Carried away by how unique and rich the village is developed culturally, the Elder donated over five hundred thousand naira (₦500,000) to the course saying, “whether you like it or not home is home! No matter what money you make out there, home is home.
“When you make money out there, the best place to enjoy your money is at home. When you inject it at home, it will be a blessing. So, let us come together and throw our differences or we loose at the end.
“I have seen Pankshin and Kanke here in Jos, a replica of what used to be in the old days. This is awesome and will continue to support this course for our children to learn more about their culture”, he assured.
On his part, the Director General of Nde Yakubu Gomos Campaign Team, Nde Zachariah John Piwuna, who was part of the private visit to the Ngas Village Market disclosed that, they were at the market to support the Initiative of the Ngas Nation in setting up this village.
He said, “we believe that it is something that we should identify with and also support in whatever way we can. I was taken aback with the number of people I saw. I never expected this number of people here.
“I see it in a positive light because we have culture and tradition that we must protect and preserve. I just pray that God will help us so that, we do it in a positive way and at the end of it all, the name of the Lord will be glorified”, he prayed.
Meanwhile, the Leader of visiting team, Nde Yakubu Gomos, described the Initiative as very laudable, fact finding and a unique one that has never happened in the history of Plateau State.
“For a people to organise themselves with all their produces and products, meeting people with love here any day and any time is a powerful Initiative.
“This is a litmus test in galvanising the Ngas Nation economically, socially and culturally because you can see that, it is a small place and the arena is sealed, but if Ngas can go a little step further, we will get a bigger liking”, he hoped.
While reacting to the lately interruption by westernization to Ngas cultural values, Nde Gomos, called on sons and daughters of Ngasland who are in the diaspora to come home and see what the Ngas people have in terms of uniqueness.
“We have what it takes, so, let them come and initiate something. I have my bossom friend and brother who is an international business person and is always in America coming all the way to identify with his people.
“My DG Nde Zachariah John Piwuna is also here. He is also a widely traveled person. So, I am calling on Ngas people to emulate these personalities to come and identify with Ngas Nation and support this initiative”, the Elder encouraged.
While welcoming the team, the Management Committee Chairman Ngas Village Market, Nde Chingdapba Ngop, commended the bold step taken by the Yakubu Gomos Campaign Team to against all odds, showed solidarity for the progress and development of Ngas Nation.
He said, “the tussle of NDA has come and gone and I thank you for the show of solidarity and identifying with the progress of NDA. This goes to show that, Ngas Nation is going to be more united than ever before.
“I call on the leader of the campaign team, Nde Yakubu Gomos, to continue to support NDA regardless of their differences during the election. I also thank him for this spirit of sportsmanship and it is an indication of the fact that, the Ngas Nation is one”, Madaki Ballang-Shipang enthused.
However, as if that was not enough, the PDP Chairmanship Candidate of Kanke Local Government Council, Hon. Lapching Ezekiel Golime, led his team to the Ngas Village Market amidst mammoth crowd and was taken round to see how exceptional the village was set up.
The candidate who could not hide his joy and happiness promised to support the Ngas Village Market in achieving its pressing needs. There and then, he offered to build a modern toiletry facility within the market.
Without any delay and to the surprise of the Ngas Village Management Committee, Golime, immediately mobilised materials to the market a day after and construction kick-started with the hope of completing it before next market day.
Sincerely, the Ngas Village is gradually attracting massive turn out with people from different backgrounds trooping weekly to witness this market.
Saturday before last, a Cultural Promoter in Nigeria and Africa, Mfon Udoh, was at the Ngas Village Market to see for herself all that was happening there.
She said, “the last time I came here, it was for photo works and there was nothing much here, but what I am seeing today is beautiful. I can see people coming out to appreciate and celebrate their culture.
“I really feel at home seeing alot of people coming to identify with me and I feel so happy. It is beautiful! If every culture can adopt this, it will be great because this is not just a market, but it is where you bring your people together.
“So, aside from meeting in their own personal villages while in town, they are still connected because they have a common ground to meet almost every time. My take home is, culture is beautiful! Wherever you are, celebrate your culture, celebrate every culture”, Udoh encouraged.
It is our sincere prayers that, this Ngas Village Market would continue to promote the needed unity of not only Ngas, but the Plateau State and the entire Nation, looking at how peaceful it has been over time. God bless Ngas Nation! God bless Plateau State! God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
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