By Naomi Sharang
Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba has called for stronger cooperation among communities linked to the Kwararafa heritage to promote education, investment, employment, peace and national development.
Kefas made the call on Saturday in Abuja while addressing the Kwararafa Peoples Assembly, organised by Kwararafa Development Forum (KDF).
He said that the gathering should translate shared history into a practical development agenda.
The governor highlighted the challenges facing the communities to include insecurity, poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure and limited economic opportunities, saying they required collective responses rather than isolated ones.
According to him, communities should identify practical areas of cooperation capable of improving the well-being of their people and contributing to Nigeria’s development.
Kefas, who is the convener of the assembly, urged stakeholders to promote education, skills development and innovation, while encouraging trade, investment and industrial development across communities associated with Kwararafa.
He also called for preservation of cultural heritage and responsible transformation of historical and cultural assets into opportunities for tourism and employment.
The governor stressed the need for strengthening cooperation among traditional institutions, saying they had important roles to play in promoting peace, security and responsible leadership at the grassroots.
He also said that women and young people must occupy a central position in the development agenda, maintaining that their participation was essential to sustaining the future of the movement.
Kefas described the Kwararafa story as part of the Nigerian story, stressing that the objective of the assembly was not to recreate an ancient empire but to apply its values to contemporary challenges.
He said the concept of “Kwararafa Rebirth” should be understood as a renewal of values such as unity, courage, discipline, justice, cooperation and collective responsibility.
“This gathering is not an ethnic rally. It is not a political campaign. It is not directed against any person, community or part of Nigeria,” he said.
Kefas said the assembly was aimed at strengthening the contributions of Kwararafa peoples to Nigeria’s peace, unity and development.
He disclosed that his participation as convener was based on his identity as a son of Kwararafa and was not an official responsibility of the Taraba government.
The governor said the assembly was supported through voluntary contributions from the Kwararafa platform, friends and supporters who believed in its objectives.
He said the Kwararafa peoples, spread across several states and the FCT, remained connected by shared historical and cultural heritage in spite of the differences in language, customs and traditions.
Kefas particularly noted their contributions to agriculture, education, professional services, entrepreneurship, industry, public service, the military, culture and other sectors of national life.
He said that the greatest honour the descendants could give their ancestors was to demonstrate the organisation, discipline and collective action associated with their historical legacy.
The governor, therefore, proposed the preparation of a development and economic blueprint containing realistic programmes, defined responsibilities and measurable timelines.
He also called for an inclusive and accountable structure to monitor decisions of the assembly and partnerships with governments, private-sector organisations, development institutions and universities.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and security agencies for their support in creating a safe environment for the gathering.
In his address, Chief Host of the event, the Aku Uka of Wukari, Taraba, Ishaku Ali, described the gathering as a platform to rediscover shared identity, strengthen bonds and establish a permanent structure for the collective advancement of Kwararafa peoples.
Ali said the assembly sought fairness, equity, justice, security and inclusion for Kwararafa communities within the Nigerian federation.
He called on traditional rulers, political leaders, professionals, women and youths to unite around common interests and support the development of the proposed Kwararafa Development Forum.
The traditional ruler said the Abuja Declaration adopted at the assembly, focusing on national unity, security, the economy, equity and the place of Kwararafa peoples in Nigeria, would be presented to relevant authorities for consideration.
Similarly, Andoma of Doma, Nasarawa State, Alhaji Ahmadu Onawo, said the gathering fulfilled the prayers of the people, providing an opportunity to reconnect with the history, heritage and enduring legacy of the Kwararafa people before colonialism.
Onawo, who is the Chairman, Central Organising Committee, said the present assembly was convened to renew bonds of shared heritage, address common challenges and chart a new course for the future of Kwararafa people.
He commended Taraba governor for his commitment to reviving the gathering, while acknowledging royal fathers whose presence, he said, conferred legitimacy and dignity on the assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the assembly brought together traditional rulers, governors, political leaders, professionals, women, youths and other stakeholders connected to the Kwararafa kingdom.(NAN)
NNL/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq