.Honour Chief of Staff
Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, got what he never bargained for during the conferment of traditional honours to the Chief of Staff Government House, Mikhael Bmitosahi, by the Gbagyis during their annual, Paigokni Cultural Fiesta, 2016 at the weekend.
Apparently to express their displeasure over alleged lopsidedness in political appointment in the state, the Gbagyi ethnic nationalities at the occasion failed to acknowledge or recognise the governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa.
Bello had come under verbal attack by Senator David Umaru, a Gbagyi man, representing Niger-East, over allegations of not reflecting the various ethnic and religious inclinations in the composition of his cabinet.
Umaru, who is seen as unofficial leader of the Gbagyi people, had severally complained that his people were being marginalized by the Bello administration, a claim the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Vatsa, denied.
However, the governor’s representative, managed to deliver the speech after which some leaders of the group took over the stage without caring a hoot about protocols. They immediately decorated the Chief of Staff with one of the highest Gbagyi traditional titles.
Again, the departure of the Chief of Staff caused the stage to become rowdy as people thronged the centre stage, raising dust, which discomforted the dignitaries in the front row, including the governor’s representative.
Meanwhile Governor Bello has assured the Gbagyis of his administration’s support and assistance towards reviving, promoting, and sustaining their cultural heritage, hence to keep it alive.
Bello gave the assurance at the weekend in Paiko, Paikoro Local Government Area where a maiden cultural fiesta aimed at reviving the rich culture of Gbagyis was held tagged, “Paigokni Cultural Fiesta 2016.”
Although the event was organized by the Paigokni Development Association, the governor charged the people to improve on the activities to mark the event next year, added that Paiko is among the state cultural site hence the partnership for cultural and economic development of the area.
Sani Bello said that the state government was not unaware of the Tatiko fabrics and poetry just as the government has invited Canadians by February 2017 to synergize with the administration to improve on the existing facilities.
The chairman of the occasion, Senator David Umaru, representing Niger East Senatorial district, promised that he would continue to support in keeping the culture alive and promised to upgrade the existing facilities for the community to actualize set objectives.
The lawmaker commended the Ambassador Zubairu Dada-led President of the association for the foresight just as the community was well known for its rich arts and culture which must be sustained for the Gbagyi people and her culture not to go into extinction.
