As the maiden Southern Kaduna Festival begins in Kafanchan, Kaduna State deputy governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe has said that diversity of culture in the region should be seen as strength and source of enrichment that has the power to propel Kaduna state and Nigeria towards a brighter and more prosperous future.
The Deputy Governor who declared the three-day festival open at the Kafanchan Township Stadium on Thursday, said the festival is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Southern Kaduna and promote intercultural exchange among the people of Southern Kaduna, and between Southern Kaduna and other cultural groups in Kaduna and Nigeria at large.
Represented by the Administrator of Kafanchan Municipal Authority, Mrs Phoebe Sukai Yayi, she said no community or region can exist in isolation, adding that presently, there are myriad factors that bind people across the globe with humanity serving as the ultimate common thread.
She said Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani believes that all lives matter adding that it will be their standpoint in Southern Kaduna.
“We must respect each other in the region and those outside of it, regardless of differences in backgrounds. In a world that often emphasizes our differences, events such as this provide us with an invaluable opportunity to recognize and celebrate our shared humanity. I would like to take this moment to encourage all participants, spectators, and stakeholders present to embrace the spirit of unity and respect for one another.
Earlier, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of the festival, Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai (rtd) said the festival is a cornucopia of delightful experiences, beckoning on people to indulge in its irresistible splendor.