Gyel New Year Festival: (BECO) Sues for Peaceful Co-existence Amongst Diverse Group

By: Labaran Ahmed 

The Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO) in conjunction with Gyel District Traditional Council, held their 2025 New Year Festival on the pool 1st of January at Bukuru Mini Stadium, sued for the need to promote peaceful co-existence amongst the diverse ethnic groups and religious in the state.

The 2025 Gyel New Year Festival came with the theme "Peaceful Co-existence in Cultural Diversity" aimed at   promoting understanding and tolerance between different religious and ethnic groups in Gyel District of Jos South LGA of  Plateau and Nigeria .

A University don, Prof. Nestor Monday Chagok, has charged the Berom Educational and Cultural Organisation (BECO) to use their rich culture in building blocks of unity and encouraging youth to engage in meaningful programme.

The guest speaker Prof. Chagok, quoted the broadcast of the Premier  Minister of Northern Nigeria, Sir. Amadu Bello, the Sardaunan of Sokoto on Thursday, 24th of December 1959, that says "We are people of many different races, tribes and religions, who are knit together by common history, common interests and common ideals. Our diversity may be great but the things that unite us are stronger than the things that divide us".

Considering the fact that Gyel District has a good numbers of different indigenous  tribes and settlers; Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba, Prof. Nestor applauded the Chairman of Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO) Comr. David Yanga Pam for chosen the topic "Peaceful co-existence in Cultural Diversity", according to him, Nigeria is a diverse area with many ethnic  and religious group. 

He added that, "conflict had escalated over the years, often rooted in historical grievances, economic depravation and competition over resources which created tension among the common people in any spaces leading to land grabbing and exploitation .

The university don further explained that the problem of ethnic and religious differences compounding the disputes in sub Saharan Africa.

According to him, Nigerian need to take  decision that respect one another in promoting peaceful coexistence and  encourage love because our major challenges today is lack of brotherhood.

"We are  challenge to develop a Unity Perspective as  no tribes can live in isolation , and any one who feels that he can live alone is sleeping over revolution, the world in which we live is geographical one, and the challenge that we face today is to make live better for each other ".

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO) Comr. David Yanga Pam, recommend the use of Berom  cultural dances, arts, local craft and musical instruments in promoting the culture.

He harped on the important of Berom Educational and Cultural Organization (BECO),  to unite and foster collective progress in renewing the ancestral knowledge of Berom people and their new generational way of life in a civilized way .

He  also  encourage them to venture into all kinds of businesses, culture, moral discipline to guide people to leave in peace with others tribes.

Comr. Pam added that, "though we are in the 21st century, which can be regarded as scientific age , that doesn't mean we should discard our cherish culture", 

He stressed that instead of allowing it to go extinct, modernization should be injected into it to help in blending us to meet the current modern realities.

On his part, the Chairman of the occasion, who double as the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Joshua Laven Ubandoma appreciated the Berom Nation for raising funds towards foundation Laying of Gyle Community School.

The Commissioner further encouraged individuals, corporate organisation to support the project because of it important.

He pointed out that, education play pivotal role in shaping up the people and their  socio-economic performances  to  investments on  meaningful development .

Ubandoma admonished that the administration of His  Excellency Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has awarded a lot of projects to the people of Jos South Local Government, that include; 24.1 kilometers road project from  Jos South Secretariat to Gyero junction linking the entire community, with another one that connect  Al'uma Oil to DB Zang, with spurred to Kwata and NIPS respectively.

The Chairman Jos South Local Government  Hon. Silas Patrick Dung,  said the Gyel community should be more united and live in peace with other ethnic groups impractive background.

The LG chairman further revealed that the intention of the people of Gyel community in Jos South as a whole is to showcase the  heritage  of the people rich culture to the world.

He lauded, His Royal Highness NGA Dangyang Gyel for piloting the affairs of the community and promoting peaceful coexistence amongst the diverse tribes for over decades and he is  still healthy.

Said it behove on them who are in  government to leave foot print on the sand of history and ensure that under his watch as chairman, the community would be witnesses tremendous development to  become reference point for other to  emulate.

In his goodwill message, the immediate past member of the Senate Representing  Plateau North senatorial  zone, Senator Simon Mawdkwon recommend the use of latest technology in mineral exploration. Stressed that we are in 21st century mining activities is dynamic so modern technology should be involve in the mining process to minimize casualty.

He frowned at legal mining  revaging Jos South local government and it's environs which has claimed the life of many people particularly the youth.

Also speaking, the Plateau State Commissioner of Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, who is a Son of the soil from Gyle Community, appreciate the benevolent of his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, for given them a New Year gift with the confirmation of their Son as a substantial head of Civil Service in the State, the position they never held before this time. And also thank him for given water to the community.

His Royal Highness (HRH) Da Dr. Nga Dangyang, the Dagwom Rwey of Jos South Traditional Council harps on peaceful coexistence with the people of Gyel Community and other ethnic  groups and settlers leaving in the community.

He appreciates the Governor of the state, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang for his message of peace during Christmas and New Year Celebrations which helped in checking the movement of Motorcycle Riders and Tricycles hence help in checking security breach, the move of the governor his Royal Highness described as great idea which helped in reducing insecurity during the festive period under review.

He encourage the citizens of Gyel community to engage in farming activities either Animal Husbandry, irrigation Farming ,whether they are Government workers or not to avoid relying on salary that is very risky for progress and development of individual, state and the nation at large.

Further enjoined the people to also engage in businesses no matter how small because there is always day of little beginning. Stressed the need for them to have skills as the world is gradually changing from government pay jobs which are readyingly not available, but what you can do with your hands.

Others dignitaries include: Member Representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ajang Alfred Iliya, Former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam, EWER Chairman Jos South, Comr. Yakubu I.C. Gam, NULGE Chairman Jos South, Comr. Price Stephen Mali Jc, (PYC) Chairman Jos South, Pam Ishaku and others.

The highlight of the occasion was fundraising, goodwill messages, dancing by various dancing groups entertained the audience: Daff Dee, Dee Comer, Dex Dee and others.