Plateau State Governor and Chairman Northern Governors Forum, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong has described the people of Ibaas Chiefdom of Foron, Barkin Ladi Local Government of the State as a great people with a rich and very diverse culture.
He said the creation of the Ibaas Chiefdom by his administration is purely for development, unity and to bring out the unique culture of the Ibaas people.
Lalong stated this on Saturday as a special guest of honour during the celebration of Amok Ibaas which is a Maiden Cultural festival of the people of Ibaas Foron Chiefdom held at Zaron, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Governor who was represented by his Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Gyang Dung Musa expressed joy and happiness when he witnessed the display of rich culture of the Ibaas people.
He commended the Gwom Ibaas of Foron Chiefdom, His Royal Highness, Dr. Luka Pagyang Pam for organising the cultural festival which is a tool for uniting the people together.
Lalong also urged the Ibaas people to unite in love and oneness to ensure that the chiefdom grows from strength to strength.
He however promised to ensure development in the Chiefdom before the expiration of his administration in 2023.
“I stand here to assure you people that by the grace of God before the exit of this administration there are great things on the way to Ibaas Land”.
Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Council, Hon. Jock Alamba on his part congratulate the Ibaas people for the Maiden Edition of the Cultural festival, saying it is the fastest way of uniting the people together.
He added that the Ibaas people have remain instrumental to the promotion of peaceful coexistence in the Local Government Area, saying without unity, no nation grow and urged them to be more focus and united in love.
Chairlady of the occasion and one of the oldest politician in Plateau State, Ngo Naomi Jugu couldn’t hide her joy as she expressed happiness with the display of cultural heritage.
Ngo Naomi Jugu said cultural heritage is a vehicle for sustainable development, saying festival would serve as a platform for networking and exchange of cultural ideas.
She applaud the traditional ruler for organising the event and said it would equally showcase the rich and untapped cultural potentials of the Ibaas people to the world.
The Gwom Ibaas of the Ibaas Foron Chiefdom, His Royal highness, Da Dr. Luka Pagyang Pam in his speech said the 2021 Amok Ibaas cultural festival is unique and historic in many ways as God Almighty, “Dakunom” has been so gracious and merciful to the Ibaas people.
The traditional ruler noted that the festival which was usually conducted once in two years by his ancestors was then hosted by the paramount head of IBAAS people, basically to offer prayers to God heralding the setting in of the rainy season as well as to usher in farming and planting activities across Ibaas land and some times shortly after the rains to seek for God’s blessings for bumper harvesting seasons.
He expressed his profound appreciation to the Governor of Plateau State for the creation of the chiefdom.
The paramount ruler equally show appreciation to all traditional rulers, top government officials, the clergy and all special Guest who attended the festival
President Ibaas Foron Development Organisation (IFDO) and Former Plateau State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Isa Chungwom Song said the event is a celebration of God’s grace to the Ibaas land and the entire people of Ibaas both at home and in diaspora, the land full of blessings and fertility.
“The festival is to reawaken our collective resolve as a people for a peaceful coexistence among ourselves and our neighbors in general, our coming together should enable us to have an opportunity to felicitate among ourselves and create useful relationship to better our society for purposeful development”.
Rt. Hon. Song who is also a former of House of Reps member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency added that the festival is also to celebrate love and unity in celebration of the great things God has done to the land and a prayer for him to do more.
The cultural Festival witnessed the attendance of over twenty first-class paramount rulers from the state and other states to include the Emir of Dass, The Emir of Keffi, Ata Aten of Ganawuri, The Long Goemai of Shendam, Emir of Wase, Long Tel and other traditional rulers
Also top government officials, tourists, diplomats, members of the organised private sector and the media among others attended the festival of the Amok Ibaas Foron 2021.
