A new development template, a paradigm shifts sort of, a strategic tool for community relations and people engagement and an amazing instrument to project the wonderful image, products and identity of communities in Plateau state to the Globe has emerged in Jos, Plateau state.
Ardent followers of the new trend, especially, those interested in seeing a shift created with regard to advancing and diversifying socio-economic activities in Plateau state. They do this most likely aware that the new approach provides opportunity for communities to showcase the tangible and intangible heritage, tradition and culture of the state to the Globe first and foremost, and through this situation and other inherent conditions reposition the economy.
Fundamentally, this new, fast spreading and impact driven blueprint is helping communities to showcase their food, clothing and artefacts, domestic utensils, farm implements and other tools, housing, visual and performing arts: dance, songs and folklores, and also their farm produce.
The new template which sprang up in Jos, Plateau state, though suddenly, is gradually, systematically and steadily spreading like the dry season fire in the city of Jos, having been attracting attention and followership massively. Fresh ideas and other contributions aimed at improving the initiative have also been pouring in.
The initiative which started as Ngas village, at the Monument of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA), located inside the premises of the National Museum Jos, like democracy is here described as “of the communities, by the communities and for the communities”. May the idea not die or derailed.
What is now thriving and booming as Ngas Market, a slight departure, or put differently a small fraction of the original concept of the village started not long ago and following the successes recorded by the Market, the Gamai Market commenced operations recently at the MOTNA, and is presently doing well. The two markets, the writer is bold to say are connectivity instruments, linkage and networking tools, very vital to communities for their development. Suffice to say, the ideas and implementation approaches so far, are top notch, worthy of emulation, replication and celebration, in particular, the Ngas village.
Serious attention and efforts are required consistently to sustain the ideas and ensure continuous and effective implementation moving forward. The need to ensure that the operation of the villages are devoid of influx and control by the political class, now proven to be infectious, destabilising and non-productive.
In terms of the recent activities and nature of operations of the two villages, at the MOTNA, Ngas village, being the first is singled out for mention, aware that the new approach to community relationship and development emerging from Jos, the capital of Plateau state, speaks volume of whoever the initiator is, of hard work, love and commitment to project the identity of the communities.
The strength of character and vision, willingness, boldness and commitment of the idea initiator to project the communities and showcase regularly their true image and identity: noble men and women, young and old, and hardworking, disciplined and hospitable, who truly they are; to the globe are here revealed.
As unmistakably amiable people, unflinchingly amenable to towing the path of honour and dignity always, the idea initiator succinctly made an audacious statement, indicative of trust, conviction and mastery, deep understanding and value of the enviable qualities of the communities, by rise up to create the unifying oriented, exhibition driven and transformation platform.
Credit must be given and properly too to the initiator of the villages, and efforts made to ensure the real vision is not derailed.
Nnabugwu Chizoba
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