The Chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Royal Majesty Dr. Jacob Gyang Buba has urged Berom natives of Plateau state not to let politics divide them but to see it as a means of uniting for the common good.Â
As a paramount ruler of the Berom-speaking tribes in Plateau and parts of Kaduna, he expressed concern about the divisive nature of politics in their region, emphasizing that politics should serve as a tool for development and progress rather than sowing discord among his people.
Speaking during the Nzem Berom Jot Batoh Cultural festival at Polo field Jos, on Wednesday, the Gbong Gwom Jos stressed the importance of politicians conducting themselves with decency and focusing on the development of the land.
He urged them to put aside personal interests and work towards the collective benefit of the community.
He said “Politics supposed to be a tool for development and advancement but has become a thing of division of Our Land because everybody is so selfish that they only think of themselves and pretend to be thinking about the people.”
He likened politics to a hunting expedition, where success should be shared and benefits trickle down to the grassroots level.
He emphasized humility in leadership, stating that no position, including his own as Gbong Gwom, is above the people they serve.
“We want to appeal to everybody not to allow their personal greed to create problems for us. For this reason, we call on all our politicians to find a way of harmonizing their acts, by playing politics with decency, “
“We are appealing to all of you to come together, reason together, ask us questions, ask the communities what they want, and then we will be able to find a way forward in peace and in love to one another.”
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Ishaya Tanko, who chaired the occasion, highlighted the festival’s role in historical development, fostering unity, and promoting cultural exchange not only in Plateau but also in the North Central region and Nigeria as a whole.
The festival, which was held in a low-key manner to honor their late traditional ruler, Gwom Kabong, received goodwill messages from various dignitaries, including political representatives, community leaders, and religious figures.
They paid tribute to the late Gwom Kabong and commended the Gbong Gwom Jos for his fatherly role in sustaining the cultural festival and fostering unity among the Berom people and the wider community in Plateau State.
