The people of Asholio also known as Moro’a in Kaduna State have converged on Abuja, Nigeria’s capital to mark the maiden edition of Mam Asholio (Moro’a Day) cultural celebration and thanksgiving.
The event showcased the rich cultural heritage, such as dances, music, drama and awards for their illustrious sons and daughters for impacting positively on their people, communities and the world at large.
Among those recognized and honoured were facility manager, Baze University Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Mr Thomas Yatai and human resources officer, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Dr Jerry Bonet.
Also honoured were director-general (DG), Nigeria Mining Cadastre, Dr Obadiah Simon Nkom and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry DG, Victoria Akai.
The chairman of the branch, Mr Kaboshio Dauda, in his speech, said that the recipients had done so much for the Asholio community and had to be recognised and honoured for others to emulate.
Dauda said their contributions ranged from youth empowerment, community development, capacity building to promotion of peace and unity of the Asholio people.
“This award is in recognition of your excellent leadership and for serving as worthy ambassadors of the Asholio people in your current places of service, as well as your support to the Association and Moro’a land,” he said.
According to Dauda, the annual cultural festival was targeted at sustaining and promoting the Asholio cultural heritage of Asholiob (Moro’a) chiefdom.
He added that the event was also organised to bring Asholio sons and daughters together to contribute to nation building through promotion of peace for sustainable development.
He said the association started as a branch in Abuja in 1995 and had grown over the years with 10 sub-branches across the Federal Capital Territory.
The chairman said the group had, over the years, contributed immensely to the sustenance of peace, economic growth and development of the FCT.
“This is being done through the operation of private businesses by the sons and daughters of Asholio in the city.
“We have also contributed seasoned civil and public servants serving in different capacities in different government agencies in the six area councils of the FCT,” he said.
The chairman of the occasion, Mr Yatai, commended the association for his recognition, noting that “the event provided an opportunity for the Asholio people to consider the roles of ethnic nationality in nation building.”
He added that the Asholio people “can choose to be better people by standing for one another for the growth of our father land and continue to pray for our leaders to succeed in their respective leadership roles.”
