The Nom Bajju annual Cultural Festival in Zango Kataf local government area of Kaduna State was penultimate Sunday revived after 18 years of suspension due to instability, insecurity, and unforeseen circumstances.

The festival was last marked and celebrated in May 2005 before it was put on hold.

The Executive Chairman of Zango Kataf local government area , Hon. Francis Sani Zimbo disclosed that the annual festival, almost went into extinction due to many years of suspension.

The Council Chairman, in a statement on Monday said following the lifting of the suspension, “the 2023 Nom Bajju Cultural Festival was held in Zonkwa on Sunday, the new year Eve”.

“The event taking place today is a signal of the gradual return of relative peace and stability in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area which has eluded Zangon Kataf Local Government for over a decade.

“My administration has worked tirelessly and assiduously to achieve this, adding this feat has earned me a national recognition from the Peace Academy of Management and Administration (PAMA) as one of its Peace Ambassadors”.

Guest Speaker of the occasion, a former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, has called on the people of Southern Kaduna to think creatively and engage strategically for the sustainable development of the region.

According to him because of the love the Bajju Community has for God, “God is going to transform their land for it to rise again”.

“I challenge the people to think creatively, work creatively, organize productively, invest boldly, seek strategic partners as well as govern wisely, and find solutions to community peace to guarantee a prosperous society.

The Chairman of the occasion, former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi said the essence of the ceremony was to showcase culture and sustain the bond of unity of the Bajju people.

Makarfi noted with satisfaction that the Bajju people have always excelled in every position of responsibility given to them and expressed gratitude to the Bajju Community Development Association, BADA for inducting him into the ‘Bajju Hall of Fame.’

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, who were represented through the Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, Sunday Marshall Katung, harped on the need for the people to promote peace at all times to guarantee a versatile and progressive
society.

In his own view, Senator Katung said people’s characters are molded by their thinking and urged all to acknowledge the significance of unity as a veritable tool that propels any human society to success.

Earlier, the Paramount Chief of the Bajju people, Agwam Kajju, Mr Luka Kogi Yabuwat hailed sons and daughters of the land for demonstrating high sense of responsibilities in discharging their duties to move the Kajju land forward.

The Royal father appealed to Governor Uba Sani to consider the possibility of completing the construction work on the Agwam Kajju’s palace to make it more convenient for him.

Highlights of the occasion include the award of traditional titles to Governor Uba Sani, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, Professor Jerry Gana, and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martins Luther Agwai by the Agwam Kajju.