His Royal Majesty Miskoom Martins Shaldas.
The Long Gamai.
The Gamai Unity and Development Organisation (GUDO) has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the Gamai language from going extinct in the face of modernization.
National President of GUDO, Miskoom Dr. Albert Kelong Alkali, while addressing Gamai sons and daughters at the Gamai Festival of Arts and Culture on Tuesday – yesterday, December 31 – at the Shendam Mini Stadium, Plateau State, called for collective actions and practical approaches towards the protection of their rich cultural heritage as well as economic emancipation.
Kelong noted that some of the cultural dances displayed at the festival almost went into extinction but were reactivated as part of GUDO’s efforts at preserving the cultural heritage of the Gamai.
“We have been working with the Bible Translation Committee, Summer Institute of Linguistic (SIL) and an NGO which is promoting the Plateau State Mother Tongue Literacy Programme and the teaching of Gamai languages in schools, to prevent the Gamai language from going extinct.
“The Bible Translation Committee has done a great job in translating the New Testament of the Bible to Gamai, which was launched recently in Shendam alongside educational text books such as Social Studies, Maths and other subjects translated from English to Gamai for use in our primary schools,” He hinted
Dr Kelong disclosed that the sociocultural organization is set to embark on the documentation of the Gamai cultural heritage towards the preservation of their tradition for generations to come.
“In an effort to preserve and showcase the richness of our cultural heritage, a team of 10 Distinguished writers and historians under the leadership of Miskoom Fidelis Longban. This team is tasked with the Research and Authoring of a Comprehensive Book on Gamai Culture and Heritage thereby ensuring that future generations remain deeply connected to roots and heritage and also safeguarding our collective legacy for generations to come,” he explained
The organisation has also set up a Business and Economic Development Committee led by Dr. Henry Longtei, with Miskoom Miyen Swomen as Adviser, to come up with practical ways to ensure economic prosperity for the Gamai people.
While commending the Central Planning Committee of the 2024 Bit Gamai led by the former State Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Plateau State Council, Miskoom Paul Jatau and his team for a job well done, reassured the Gamai nation that the N250 million appeal fund raiser for the E-library in the Information Technological Hub at the GUDO Secretariat, will be judiciously put to use.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang represented by AVM Napoleon Bali commended the Gamai nation for their unity of purpose and assured them of his administration’s readiness to harness the rich cultural heritage of the various ethnic nationalities on the Plateau for a state festival of arts and culture in the year 2025.
“The message of his excellency is simple, culture is discipline, and discipline is security. He is wishing the Gamai nation a successful festival and that they should be able to live in peace with one another, especially the surrounding tribes.
“He is very happy for the people of Gamai; the Gamai nation has come a long way, especially in the southern zone, they are industrious, culturally very rich,” the Governor enthused.
The Long Gamai, HIs Royal Majesty Miskoom Martins Shaldas III commended the State government and local government chairmen within the southern part of the state for addressing the insecurity, particularly the menace of kidnapping in recent times.
The former Governor of Plateau state and Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong and the former Director General of ITF Sir. Joseph Ari both described the festival as key in the unification of the Gamai people and upholding the customs and traditions which must be passed down to the younger generation.
