First Yobe Cultural Summit: Government and ActionAid Partner to Promote Peace and Unity
By Ibrahim Umar,
Kanempress News,
15th December, 2024
In a landmark event aimed at fostering harmony and togetherness, the Yobe State Government, in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, the World Food Programme, and other development partners, hosted the inaugural Yobe Cultural Summit in Damaturu, the state capital. The summit, designed to celebrate the region’s diverse cultural heritage, was a resounding call for unity and social cohesion.
Representing Governor Mai Mala Buni, Alhaji Yakubu Suleman, the Chairman of the State House Committee on Religious Affairs, Justice, and Judiciary, underscored the administration’s unwavering commitment to leveraging cultural initiatives for peacebuilding. He highlighted Yobe’s rich ethnic diversity as a cornerstone for unity, urging the organisers to institutionalise the summit as an annual event.
“Culture is not just an expression of identity but a powerful tool for fostering understanding and resilience among our people,” Suleman remarked.
Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, represented by Project Manager Kenneth Umuafe, emphasised the significance of cultural diplomacy in peacebuilding efforts. He noted that the summit serves as a platform to disseminate messages of unity and encourage social integration. Reflecting on ActionAid’s ongoing work in Yobe, particularly a three-year project in Bade Local Government Area, Mamedu lauded the unwavering support from the state government and traditional leaders, which he described as pivotal to the success of their initiatives.
The Executive Director of the Yobe State Council for Arts and Culture, Hajiya Husna Ibrahim, echoed similar sentiments in her welcome address. She stressed that the summit provides a rare opportunity for all ethnic groups within Yobe to showcase their cultural heritage, promoting mutual respect and understanding. “Living in peace, irrespective of our ethnic or cultural differences, is the only path to sustainable development,” she asserted.
A series of captivating cultural performances marked the event’s highlights, with traditional dance troupes from various ethnic groups offering a vivid display of Yobe’s vibrant cultural tapestry. The summit demonstrated the transformative power of culture in uniting people across divides, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for peace and progress.
The maiden edition of the Yobe Cultural Summit sets a promising precedent, not only as a celebration of heritage but as a strategic initiative to strengthen social cohesion and resilience in a region long shaped by diversity and mutual coexistence.
The Yobe State Government, under Governor Mai Mala Buni’s leadership, has prioritised cultural revitalisation as part of its broader development agenda. This initiative aligns with ActionAid Nigeria’s mission to empower communities through advocacy and grassroots mobilisation, highlighting the profound synergy between governmental and non-governmental entities in fostering inclusive development.
Through institutionalising the summit, Yobe State aims to enhance cultural tourism, attract investment, and create a model for other states in promoting peace through culture.
Hajiya Husna Ibrahim also shared that her inspiration for organising the summit comes from the need for psychosocial support in the post-crisis era, emphasising the importance of nurturing unity within Yobe’s heterogeneous diversity.
