By Shuaibu Usman
Stakeholders of Koro, a Nigerian ethnic extraction centrally domilciled in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States, have converged on Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital for their first-ever youth gathering under the aegis of the National Koro Youth Association.
The three-day long gathering which featured array of socio-cultural activities to include social discourses, sports competitions, beauty pageant, music concert and award presentation was aimed at advocating the cause of unity, peaceful co-existence and development within the Koro youths and beyond.
Speaking at the grand finale, Emir of Bwari who is the Vice Chairman FCT Traditional Rulers Council, Muhammad Awwal, underscored the place of peace and unity for progress of all nations, adding that not only Koro as an ethnic group needs peace and unity but Nigeria to achieve its future objectives.
The monarch said the event which was first-of-its-kind had drawn the attention of the Koro nation in sustaining its commitment in peace building and addressing its development challenges.
Commenting, Zhe Mighili of Nasarawa State, Dr. Ayuba Agwadu Audu, called on the youths and other stakeholders to embrace the challenge which absence of peace poses to the nation to remedy the issue forthwith, advising them to see education as a catalyst for peace, unity and sustainable development.
In his remarks, Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, identified the Koro extraction as one of most peaceful ethnic communities the country is blessed with, charging young people to appreciate the efforts of their leaders which he believes will soon transform the nation’s fortune for the better.
Jatau asked leaders at all levels to see themselves as unifiers with a common goal for peace and development, noting that development cannot be achieved in a rancourous atmosphere.
Tajuddeen Abdullahi, who represented the member representing Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency, Abubakar Sarki Dahiru, said the Koro nation is a formidable force in the politics of his constituency, attributing such to their commitment in uniting themselves with one resounding voice.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the gathering including the Director-General of the Nasarawa Geographic Information Service, Sonny Agassi, pledged their continued support in giving the Koro youths a pride of place in all areas of welfare and development across board.
In his opening address, National President of the Koro Youth Association, Safiyanu Hassan Agidi, recognised the existing unity that binds the ethnic group in all states they are found across the federation, challenging Koro stakeholders to work for the sustainability of the culture of unity for prosperity.
The Koro ethnic group is principally drawn from Nasarawa, Kaduna, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the nation’s capital.
Awards were presented to Mr. Koro and Miss Koro who competed and saw off their opponents to emerge as winners.
There were also awards presented to various illustrious sons and daughters of Koro ethnic extraction and beyond including the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, Registrar of the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia, Dr. Oliver Zhebu and numerous others.