Anaguta Nation Celebrates Tukunku Festival (Annual Anaguta Day)

The Anaguta Nation today Saturday 1st June held its annual Anaguta Day known as the “Tukunku Festival”

The event held at Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos, Plateau State was well attended by illustrious sons and daughters of the Anaguta Nation, Traditional Rulers as well as Friends and well wishers.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Patrick Dakum the Chief Executive Officer of Institute of Virology, Nigeria spoke on how to manage our diversity in a healthy and excellent way.

He commended the Anaguta Nation for their rich culture which he said should not be allowed to go into extinction.

He appreciated them for the honor to serve as the Chairman of the occasion.

Chairlady at the occasion, Rep. Barr. Beni Lar Member representing Langtang North/Langtang South Federal Constituency spoke on the need for unity, love for one another and healthy politics for the progress and development of the State and National.

She spoke on the need for strategic youth empowerment which she has made her priority and urged the politicians not to use the use for ungodly ventures.

Guest Speaker at the event and Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University Bokkos, Professor Yohanna Izam spoke on the topic “Survival of ethnic Nationalities in Nigeria”

He said cultural festivals are key to economic and National development.

He charged the Anaguta Nation to continue to promote their culture and peace.

He said ethnic minorities must be able to find space for expression and participation in the political space.

He spoke on cultural imperialism where western culture is suppressing our local culture while majority are trying to swallow the minorities on account of demographic and social factors.

He said consideration should be on working together and using the various ethic groups as platforms for development.

He charged them to be fully involved in politics and don’t stay aloof.

He spoke also on the dignity of the culture and the importance of education.

Son of the Day, Rep. Barr. I. D. Gyang Member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency and Senator-Elect congratulated the Anaguta Nation on the occasion of the 2019 Tukunku Festival and urged them to promote and project their rich culture in order not to go into extinction. He appreciated them for the support they gave him at the polls which gave him an overwhelming victory.

Barr. Dr. I. D. Gyang who was represented by Dr. Emmanuel Loman former Chairman Barkin Ladi LGC and ALGON Chairman said he will focus on human capital development, peace building and fostering unity in Plateau North.

He called on government to rise up to its constitutional duties of securing lives and property especially Jos North LGA which within the week was under attack by enemies of peace that led to the many deaths, with many injured and houses set ablaze.

He admonished the Anaguta Nation to promote peace and unity at all times.

Chief Host of the event and Ujah Anaguta, HRH Mr. Jauro Magaji said the event was very remarkable in every sense.

“The occasion affords a highly commendable and significant contributions, dedication and humility exhibited by the Anaguta Nation” the Ujah Anaguta disclosed.

He said the event also afford them the opportunity to showcase their cultural dances, traditional foods and appease souls and spirits of the dead which affect the living.

“The T’kunku Festival 2019 is very unique and remarkable because it is the first to festival the Anaguta is celebrating since the upgrading of her chieftancy stool to 1st Class by our amiable, quintessential, Barrister and Governor per excellence, Rt. Hon. Barr. Simon B. Lalong” he posited.

He charged all and sundry to support the government of Lalong to enable it consolidate on the rescue and emancipation project already embarked upon as well as those achieved for the good of Plateau.

The National President Anaguta Development Association, Hon. Sunday G. Bunu said the event is for showcasing the abundant agricultural blessings with crops like “Iku, Iweng, Isongoh, Igilim, Tufondong, Turogoh, Aforoh, Alahwur, Adankuleng” just to mention a few.

Hon. Sunday congratulated the Executive Governor on his victory 2019 polls and also appreciated him for upgrading the Anaguta Chiefdom to 1st Class saying the history of Anaguta is not complete without the mention of Governor Lalong.

The Executive Governor of Plateau State who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden commended the Anaguta Nation for the festival and told them to sustain it.

He admonished them to be agent of peace, unity and continue to support the rescue mission administration committed to the best for the State.

He said the government will continue to do its best to meet the yearnings of the people.

The event featured cultural dances and launching of Almanac.