by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The founder and CEO of Caleb Danladi Foundation, Mr. Caleb Danladi Bako, has received an Award of Excellence as the best NGO on Community Support in Ham Land, Jaba LGA of Kaduna State.
He was presented with the Award by Ham Community Development Association during the most rewarding and colourful event marking Tuk Ham Annual Festival, held in Kwoi, Jaba LGA of the state.
In a speech at the event, Kaduna State Government applauded people of in Jaba local government area for a successful and peaceful celebration of the 2024 Tuk Ham annual festival aimed at promoting unity, love and peaceful coexistence.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, made the commendation, while speaking at the 2024 Tuk Ham held in Kwoi area of Jaba LG of the state.
The Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Administrator, Kafanchan Municipal Authority, Mrs Phibi Sukai Yayi, said “The festival is in line with the current administration’s policy to promote culture as a way of enhancing social interaction among the divers ethnic groups in the state for peace and security of the citizens.”
In a message to the occasion, the Speaker of the House of Representative, Dr Abbas Tajuddeen, said “promoting cultural heritage of any society will in no small way enhance socioeconomic growth of not only that particular society but the state and nation at large.”
While responding to the request made by the Ham people seeking for the change of the name of Jaba Local Government Area to ‘Ham Local Government,’ the Speaker, who was represented by member representing Soba at the National Assembly, Alhaji Suleman Yahaya Richifa, assured them of the House’s readiness to work towards actualizing their request, as already presented at the floor of the House by their representative in the green chamber.
The Kpok Ham, Danladi Gyat Maude, also in a remark thanked all sons and daughters of Hamland for their contribution to the development of the chiefdom, and appealed for the provision of more social amenities that would improve living standard of the people.
Earlier, the president, Ham Development Association, Reverend Jerry Andrew, who emphasized the need for the change of the name of LGA, also advocated that Nok Village, as the seat of the oldest Nok Terracotta civilization be made a tourism attraction center for the socioeconomic development of Kaduna and the nation at large.
While commending the Ham nation for the successful celebration, the LG Administrator, Mrs Back George, called on the Kaduna State Government to find a way of harnessing the reach culture of the divers ethnic groups across the three geopolitical zones of the state.
The highlight of the event aimed at promoting unity, love and peaceful coexistence, include traditional dances, presentation of awards and the unveiling of the 2024 “Tir Ham” (Miss Ham).
Some other awards recipients, including member representing Jaba in the National Assembly, Amos Gwamna Magaji, and a philanthropist, Caleb Danladi Bako, both thanked the Ham people for recognizing them, and described the award as a “morale booster” towards doing more.