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Senator Simon Lalong and His Royal Majesty the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, left
Come Friday 17th May 2024, Berom sons and daughters at home and the diaspora will converge on the famous Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos to celebrate this year’s Nzem Berom, arguably one of the biggest cultural fiestas in Plateau State and Nigeria.
By all standards, the highly anticipated event will again bring to the fore the rich cultural heritage of the Berom people and also highlight their achievements, challenges and resilience within today’s contemporary society.
While many Berom sons and daughters deserve accolades for sustaining the cultural fiesta over the years, there are other salient heroes who may not be of Berom ethnic stock, but have played critical roles in reviving the Nzem Berom. They need to be celebrated.
One unsung hero is the immediate past Governor of Plateau State His Excellency, Senator Simon Bako Lalong who was instrumental to the revival of Nzem Berom after over 8 years since it went comatose.
Many will recall that it was when Lalong came to office in 2015 that he used his influence as Governor to engineer the revival of the rich cultural festival as part of mainstreaming culture and traditions of the great Plateau people under his Rescue Agenda.
Despite the fact that his predecessor Senator Jonah Jang was a cherished son of Berom nation who for reasons best known to him was unable to facilitate the holding of this very important cultural festival throughout his 8 years in office, Lalong never let the situation to deter him.
Former Governor Lalong with the advice and support of His Royal Majesty the Gbong Gwom Jos Da Jacob Gyang Buba, Chairman of the Plateau Council of Chiefs and Emirs, proceeded to not only revive the event, but insisted and supported the hosting of Nzem Berom annually throughout his 8 years in office.
This gave him a special place in the hearts of Berom people and puts a lie to the wrong and fabricated perception being driven mostly by politicians that Lalong hates the Berom people or that Berom people do not like him.
Aside from nurturing the revival of Nzem Berom, Lalong personally attended most of the editions during his tenure in office and also did so much to uplift the Berom traditional institution, just as he did for others.
It is also on record that former Governor Lalong was so passionate about the use of cultural festivals in promoting peace on the Plateau that he ensured that his Government oraganised the first Plateau Festival of Arts and Culture (PLAFEST) as well as the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST). In addition, Lalong organised the Plateau Carnival which attracted tourists from all over the country and beyond.
This was in addition to supporting various ethnic groups to host their cultural festivals and continue to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the 53 ethnic groups in the State.
Many traditional stools were graded and upgraded while deserving sons and daughters of Berom land were appointed into various Government offices where they served creditably.
As we mark this year’s Nzem Berom, let us continue to preach peace and uphold values that promote Plateau State as the Home of Peace and Tourism and also show love to one another irrespective of ethno-religious differences.
Plateau is one and can never be divided on ethnic, religious or political lines.
Happy Nzem Berom 2024.
Comrade Iliya Mark, JP
Chairman
Comrade Jok Ayuba Tumba
Secretary
FOR: RESCUE MONITORING TEAM
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