FCT: Gbari nation celebrates cultural carnival

By Usman Shuaibu

The management of Gbari Nation on Saturday celebrated the 3rd annual cultural carnival, held at Kwali stadium in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at the occasion, the Etsu of Kwali, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Shaban Audu Nizazo III, said the cultural carnival was organised to maintain unity and peace among Gbari sons and daughters, as well as those in the diaspora.
He noted that the Gbari culture as well tradition were gradually being changed, and said what was left was to see how the young generation would sustain it.
He said the carnival was an opportunity to enlighten the youth on their history, pointing out that this would assist the youth to abide by their culture.
Etsu Kwali, therefore, said the Gbari people would continue to co-operate with other ethnic groups for the sake of the nation’s upliftment.
Also speaking, the senator representing the FCT at the National Assembly, Hon. Philip Aduda, who was the chairman of the occasion, represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Mr Julius Gado, commended the organisers for the step being taken to organise carnival, pointing out that the cultural displays by various Gbari indigenes was the best way the younger ones would learn the Gbari culture.
The senator, however, advised the Gbari youth to give attention to education, noting that education gives individuals a sense of belonging in any given society.
On his part, the Executive Director in charge of the Centre for Gbari Research and Documentation Abuja, Dr Midah Kwali Ayuba, who presented a paper tagged “Effects of Foreign Religion on the Culture of the Gbari people”, said “the Gbari values are cherished tradition and ethos which are desirable in the society and taken as normative civilisation”.
Midah, who is an educationist, said the Gbari culture had sustained the people for the generations, “but the two imported religions came heavily on the Gbari cultural world, brought about a bartering and shattering experiences and irreparable cultural trauma”.
Not left out, the President of Gbari Nation, Mr Jacob Anze, said the Gbari Nation would continue to organise the cultural carnival to inculcate cultural values on the younger ones.