NEWS: Dr. Ngamsa Received Members of Tikkise Association at his Office..

By Aida Asama

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism had received a courtesy visit from Tikkise Association in Njoboliyo. The Association is the fourth to such a visit since the resumption of the Hon. Commissioner, Culture and Tourism, Dr John Ngamsa to office. The President of the Association said they are not only visiting a Commissioner but a father, an uncle, a brother and a mentor as they have been beneficiaries of his humanitarian services.

They were very happy for the support  provided to them by the Ministry on their 2018 Bwatiye Cultural exhibition that was held in Njoboliyo, this only proves how they are honoured. Their visit was to congratulate the Commissioner over his appointment and believe that his wealth of experience, academic attainment and passion for excellence will guide his decisions to bring about development in the state.

The President said he has a lot of initiatives which when harnessed will foster unity and the preservation of their culture. They had wanted their programmes to be annually but due to lack of funds they cannot meet with the demand. Though they are having plans to organize water events like water race competition, diving competition, swimming, fishing competition but without tools and lots more it's not going to be possible.

These competition will be in both female and male categorise.  Therefore they called on the Ministry for support in order for them to develop their Association.

In his response, Dr. Ngamsa, said he is happy to see them and spoke in their dialect and made a policy that any Cultural Association coming for a visit should say the Christian prayer in their local dialect. And it started today with Miss Blessing Hamisu a member said the prayer in their local language. 

Dr. Ngamsa said they were the first settlers in Benue as it means Big water in the language, it has also been discovered that in Delta state a section of the people speak the same language. The tribe is known to have respect for elders and was impressed with their cultural outfits. He assured them the present administration is very interested in all tribes in the state and is ever ready to partner with them.  

At the end of the visit Mal. Madagu Nagarwa, a representative of the local Chief said they are very happy for the warm reception they got from the Ministry, especially the Commissioner who made them feel so welcomed.