By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has urged the Eggon ethnic group in the State to continue to preserve their cultural heritage and not allow any kind of erosion due to external influences alien to the people.

He gave the charge during the celebration of the 2025 International Museum Day with the theme, “The Place of Museums in a Rapidly Changing Economy”, held at the Jos Museum.

The two-day event was organized by the National Commission for Museum and Monuments in collaboration with the Eggon Cultural and Development Association, ECDA.

The Governor, accompanied by the Speaker of the State Assembly, Danladi Jatau, the Emir of Lafia, HRH Sidi Muhammad 1, the Aren Eggon, HRH Ahmed Alaku 1, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba, and other top traditional rulers in Nasarawa and Plateau States, pointed out the significance of culture and traditions in shaping the identity of Nigerians.

Governor Sule urged traditional rulers and parents to inculcate cultural values in children, and ensure the transmission of these values to future generations.

Also, the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Federal University of Lafia, Professor Victor Dugga, in a Lecture titled,
“Eggon Cultural Values and their Relevance for Sustainable Development in Contemporary Times,” urged the people to leverage their traditions to foster inclusive growth and preserve cultural identity.

Dugga recommended the preservation of the Eggon festivals and oral traditions, integrating them into the education system to promote intergenerational learning.

He stated, “The Eggon has a rich cultural heritage, cultural sustainability is increasingly recognized as a key pillar of sustainable development… Eggon festivals and oral traditions can be integrated into education to promote intergenerational learning and cultural preservation.

“Cultural erosion by Westernization and religious conflicts threaten the tradition of peaceful coexistence. Nigerian SDG frameworks should recognize and incorporate indigenous cultural capital.

“The curriculum for Civic Education at primary and secondary schools should teach traditional forms of government and how they sustained societies in the past. Eggon cultural values of communalism, environmental wisdom, and adaptive resilience are vital for sustainable development.

“The governments, NGOs, and local leaders should collaborate to document and revitalize indigenous knowledge. Leveraging these traditions, Nigeria can foster inclusive growth while preserving cultural identity.”

Earlier, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba who identified with the Eggon people during the celebration called for the reinstatement of History as a subject in the primary and secondary schools so that the younger generation will know their heritage, as well as the unity of the tribes in the North Central zone of the country.