By Oboh Linus, Keana
The Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has tasked
Nigerians to recommit themselves to nurturing traditions, protecting heritage sites and advancing tourism potentials for national unity and prosperity.
Musawa gave this charge at the National Oyarore Salt Festival of Keana, Nasarawa state in Keana Local Government.
Musawa, represented by Mrs Ogechukwu Udegbunam, an official of the Ministry, said she was deeply inspired by the passion and dedication that communities across Nigeria, such as Keana, continue to demonstrate in promoting and safeguarding their cultural values.
“Today, we are not just celebrating a cultural event, we are celebrating heritage, identity, unity and community pride. Let’s reflect on the unifying power of culture.
Together, we can build a Nigeria where culture is not only celebrated but leveraged for national prosperity.
“The Oyarore Salt Festival is a testament to the resilience and cultural richness of the people of Nasarawa state, it reflects our collective commitment to preserving the traditions that bind us together as one people,” she said
The Minister reiterated that the Federal Government would continue working closely with the state governments, traditional institutions, cultural advocates, and festival organisers to ensure that cultural platforms receive the visibility and support they deserve.
“The Oyarore Festival stands out as one of such events with potential to become a major cultural attraction, contributing significantly to the social, economic, and development of the state and the nation.
“We are committed to supporting festivals that uphold our heritage, promote peace, and attract local and international attention,” the minister said.
Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, while commending Osana of Keana for sustaining the tradition, said that any nation that did not uphold tradition and culture stands a chance to lose its identity.
Sule, who noted that Oyarore has gone beyond national, however, said the state government would ensure to make it international in all ramifications.
“So this is an opportunity to gather all of us together and to extend the brotherliness that we are known for, It’s an opportunity also for us to come together and discuss how we can move our local government, our state, Nigeria in general forward,” Sule stated
Dr Abdullahi Agbo, Osana of Keana, said the Oyarore salt festival has been Keana’s identity and culture that must be preserved for posterity and urged sons and daughters of Keana to fully participate in the celebration.
“The Keana Salt Festival is over 200 years old. This is what kept us here; our forefathers celebrated it annually. This is our identity, this is our culture, and we have to preserve it for our children. If we don’t revive it, our culture and identity will be lost,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Miskoom Martin Shaldas III, the LongGamai of Gamai Nation in Plateau State, congratulated the people of Keana on the preservation of their rich cultural heritage.
He described the festival as an effective means of preserving history and culture and called for its sustenance for future generations.
Earlier, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr Mike Omeri, a former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), said the 2025 celebration marked the 250th anniversary of the Oyarore Salt Festival, which began in 1775.
Omeri explained that salt discovery was central to the historical foundation of Keana and that the festival traditionally marked the end of harvest and the beginning of a new season.
He said the natural salt from Keana is unique because it is naturally iodised, adding that the festival had now been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a franchise.
According to him, the Federal Government has designated the festival as a national event and the site as a national monument to be preserved for tourism and national branding.
Omeri appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to invest in restoring the salt site and modernising salt production facilities to maximise economic benefits for the host community.
He added that the festival would, going forward, introduce annual community development initiatives such as scholarships and infrastructure support.
The festival, which began on Dec. 10, featured cultural displays, wrestling, traditional performances and exhibitions celebrating the historic salt heritage of Keana and the Alago nation. (NAN)