NAN-H-37
Peace
Pankshin (Plateau), Jan. 21, 2017 (NAN) Bishop Michael Gokum, the Catholic Bishop of Pankshin Diocese, says traditional rulers must ensure peaceful co-existence among their subjects to ensure meaningful community development.
Gokum gave the charge in Fer village, Pankshin, during the funeral service of the late Acting Ngolong Ngas, Chief Cyril Adams, who died on Jan. 1.
The cleric described Adams, who was also the acting President of the Joint Traditional Council of Pankshin/Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau, as a “man of peace’’ worthy of emulation.
“Any traditional ruler that desires to see that his community develops as expected should ensure that his subjects live in harmony with one another in spite of whatever difference there may be.
“We should, as a people who desire to move forward, eschew bitterness and hatred and embrace peace for the desired development in our respective communities, state and country, ’’ he said.
He said the church within the domain of the late Acting Ngolong Ngas enjoyed maximum support during his reign and prayed for the repose of his soul.
Also speaking, Mr Pankshak Titus, Kanke Management Committee Chairman, described the death of Adams as “a monumental loss’’ to the Joint Traditional Council of Pankshin/Kanke Local Government Area.
While extolling the virtues of the late paramount ruler, Titus called for close collaboration among the Ngas in the two councils to drive growth and development.
Mr Micheal Daloek, a director in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the state government would miss the wisdom and contributions of the late paramount ruler.
Daloek charged other traditional rulers to emulate the virtues of Adams in order to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.
NAN reports that the body of Adam was laid to rest at the community burial ground in Fer according to Christian rites. (NAN)
TYC/DOR/OJO
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(Edited by Nyisom Dore/Mufutau Ojo)