The need for Gbagyi people to unite and form a formidable force aimed at making the Gbagyi race prosper formed most of the submissions made by different speakers at the 2021 Gbagyi Students Week celebration at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Hall Minna, the State Capital.
The event which was at the instance of the Gbagyi Students Association of Nigeria (GBASAN) Niger State Chapter was attended by traditional, political and religious leaders of Gbagyi extraction.
In her remarks, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State, Mary Noel-Berje, charged Gbagyi youths to imbibe the spirit of oneness and see their tribe as a binding force that will foster growth and development among them irrespective of their religion.
The mouthpiece of the Governor noted that unity among the Gbagyi people will also promote peaceful coexistence and help in curbing some of the security challenges in some parts of the Gbagyi speaking communities.
She enjoined relevant stakeholders among the Gbagyi tribe to evolve strategies aimed at unifying the Gbagyi speaking people not minding the differences in dialects adding that doing so will change some negative narrative about the Gbagyi people.
“it is when we see Gbagyi tribe as binding force, that is when we will begin to grow. We also need to unite together to make headway not minding the differences in religion and dialects”, she said.
Also, the Emir of Minna, Alh (Dr.) Umar Faruk Bahago, who was represented by the District Head of Minna, Alh. Musa Maikudi Achaza also admonished Gbagyi people to hold their culture in high esteem and to ensure unity among them to bring about the desired development in Gbagyi communities and the state at large.
In their separate remarks, representatives of the Senator representing Zone “B” at the National Assembly, Sani Musa, and Members of the State House of Assembly representing Shiroro and Bosso Constituencies as well as the Patron of the Association, among other dignitaries, emphasised the need for Gbagyi people to support each other in all aspects to ensure growth and development of the Gbagyi race.
They commended the youths for taking a bold step to organize such event and encouraged them not to be detred in their quest to uniting the Gbagyi people.
Speaking earlier, the President, GBASAN, Niger State Chapter, Comrade Abdulhazees Mohammed explained that the association is aimed at strengthening the bond and unity among the Gbagyi students across the state.
He described the Gbagyi people as peace-loving, transparent and accommodating people.
Comrade Abdulhazeez then commended the CPS to the State Governor for her contributions to the development of the Association and also appreciated the Patron of the Association Suleiman Ibrahim Kato who through his moral and financial support ensured that the event took place.
High points of the ceremony were the presentation of an Award of Excellence and meritorious service towards the growth and development of Gbagyi community to the CPS to the Governor of Niger state and a lecture delivered by Alh. Ahmed Awaisu on “The Roles of Gbagyi Youths in Fostering Unity and Curbing Insecurity” where he opined that “the role of Gbagyi Youths in Niger state and Nigeria’s development agenda is as important as all the developmental tolls in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.”
Alh. Awaisu who was represented by Alh. Yakubu Aliyu recommended that Government at all levels should contribute to improving the relationship between youth groups and law enforcement Agencies ;
Institutionalize Youths, peace and security programmes at national, state, local government and the ward levels to foster strategic and meaningful participation and mainstreaming of youth in all areas of peace and security.
