Ethnic nationalities across Nigeria have been urged to aggressively protect their ancient cultural roots, pull down walls of tribal hostility, and prioritize peaceful coexistence to secure a prosperous future for the next generation.
The newly inaugurated President of the Numana Development Association (NDA), Mr. Ezekiel Danjuma, gave the charge during his maiden address in Gwantu, the headquarters of Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, yesterday.
Mr. Danjuma emerged victorious in the association’s keenly contested election held two weeks ago, defeating the incumbent president, Comrade Ahmed Mazo.
The NDA President insisted that lasting economic development is impossible without a deliberate commitment to harmony and the preservation of local values and customs. He challenged community leaders nationwide to work closely with political actors in order to attract meaningful development to the grassroots.
“Our administration will work hand-in-hand with our traditional leaders and relevant stakeholders to preserve our language, history, customs, and values, while vigorously driving community development,” Mr. Danjuma vowed.
Emphasizing a new era of transparent leadership, he added: “We will promote open decision-making, responsible financial management, and ensure accurate record-keeping with regular financial reports to members. All resources entrusted to the association will be properly accounted for.”
To accelerate development within the Numana ethnic nationality, the new president outlined a strategic roadmap for inclusive engagement.
“My team and I will engage our elders, traditional leaders, community stakeholders, government representatives, development partners, and Numana sons and daughters both at home and in the diaspora to identify pressing needs and pursue sustainable projects.
“We will strengthen our internal committees, assign clear responsibilities, and improve communication channels to keep members informed and involved. While we may not solve every challenge overnight, we will lead with sincerity, diligence, and an unwavering commitment to the collective interest of our people,” he stated.
As a immediate step toward robust engagement, Mr. Danjuma announced the appointment of a seasoned Journalist and Public Relations practitioner, Mr. Hassan Zaggi, as his Special Adviser on Media.
Earlier, while administering the oath of office, Barrister Gambo Zango charged the new leadership to abide strictly by the constitution of the association to ensure a successful tenure.
He advised the Mr. Danjuma-led executives to listen to, and respect the guidance of traditional rulers and critical stakeholders to secure the broad support of all interest groups.
Barrister Zango, however, strongly warned the new leadership against meddling in partisan politics. This, he noted, is vital to maintaining the confidence and goodwill of all political actors in the community, regardless of their party affiliations.
