FCTA Restates Commitment Towards Promoting Cultural Values Of Original Inhabitants

In a significant move to promote social cultural activities in the country, the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, has restated commitment towards supporting and promoting the cultural heritage of the original inhabitants of FCT for sustainable social – economic development

The Minister of FCT, Dr Nyesom Wike who made the call at the 8th edition of Karu Annual Cultural Festival 2026 in Abuja, said culture remains the soil that defines our identity, preserve our history and guide our values

The Minister who was represented by the Minister of state for FCT Dr. Mariya Mahmud maintained that the Festival was aimed at providing a platform where cultural heritage can thrive and values transmitted by uplifting one another, creating opportunities to meet the yearnings and aspirations of all residents

She explained that the theme for this year’s Cultural Festival “Embracing Unity In A World Of Differences” is timely in a society as richly diverse as ours ethnically, culturally and religiously as our strength lies in the ability to co-exist, respect one another and celebrate our differences as a collective asset

‘I sincerely want to thank his Royal Highness Joseph Danfulani Narai, Sa’ Karuyi of Karu and the good people of Karu for the warm reception and preserving a rich cultural heritage that has continued to inspire unity, peace and communal harmony.

On his part, the immediate past Senator representing FCT, Sen. Phillip Aduda at the 9th Assembly said the cultural festival was another historic day in the lives of the people of Karu chiefdom and must be continuously, cautiously and deliberately maintained to promote their cultural heritage as the only way to create history for the future generation.

“I want to thank the the Hon. Minister of state for FCT and will also ask her to extend our heart felt appreciation to the Minister of FCT, Dr Nyesom Wike and by extension to president Bola Tinubu because we in Karu have seen the dividends of the Renewed Hope Agenda from infrastructural development and others.”

“Let me also personally thank the president for bringing to pass my vision and aspiration which was to have a minister presented at the Federal Executive Council been one of my legislative agenda from 2003-2023 moving a continuous motion that FCT deserves a seat at the FEC,”

Earlier, the Mandate Secretary, Area Councils Secretariat, Hon. Bitrus Lawrence Garki said the essence of the Cultural Festival is not just a celebration but a conscious effort to save their culture from going into extinction and to take its rightful place in the global stage.

“The Gbagyi culture and other original inhabitants have the ability to influence the world around us from our food, attire, mode of communication, it has the capacity to change the world around us.”

“We live in a world filled with diversity, different cultures, believes, tribes, languages and ways of living in this differences are not flaws but, proofs that humanity is beautifully varied and the world becomes richer when people contribute their unique colors and perspectives.”

Highpoints of the event was a dance performance by various original inhabitants of the FCT, cultural exhibition to showcase their Art’s, crafts, traditional delicacies among others

PR/Garry Ochigbo