By Yusufu Haruna Magit
The Plateau State Government has announced plans to develop the proposed Butura Cultural Village into a tourist hub.
This announcement was made by the Executive Governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, during the 2025 edition of the Butura annual festival of Arts and Culture, tagged “NAHWAI” held at Butura Wuur.
The Governor who was represented at the even by the Commissioner for Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Cornelius Doeyok, stressed that the development of the cultural village is part of the state government’s plan to create at least one tourist center in each of the 17 Local Government Areas.
He said the Butura Cultural Village is expected to serve as a pilot project for other LGAs to emulate.
The Governor, while requesting the community to forward a memo to that effect, congratulated the people of Butura for their vision to develop their ancestral home into a tourist center and pledged to support them in realizing their dream.
The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan, and the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Jos, Mrs. Helen Chungdusu, who were both Chairman and Chairlady of the occasion, as well as the representative of the National Commission for Museums and monument, all commended the commitment of stakeholders in the development of the Butura roadmap.
They promised to give necessary backing to enable the development of the proposed cultural village, which they believe will boost tourism potentials.
The Executive Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Council, Amalau Samuel, who was represented by his deputy, Walangko Mahwel Joseph announced plans to link the Butura Wuur road to the main Bokkos-Daffo road with cold tar as part of the six km roads project. This is aimed at providing access to the proposed Butura tourist and cultural village.
Guest speaker, Engineer Obed Wonago, as represented by Hon. Samuel Damla, emphasized the importance of diverse communities promoting their cultural heritage.
Engineer Wonago encouraged communities to invest in tourism development for future generations. He praised the Butura community for preserving their ancestral cultural norms and values.
The National President of the Butura Community Development Association (BUDA), Dah Dr. Ezekiel Macham, thanked the people of Butura, Plateau State Government, the Plateau tenth Assembly and National Assembly, Traditional Institutions, Chairman and Chairlady of the occasion, National Commission for Museums and monument, guest speaker and Bokkos LGC for their support to the Butura cultural village project, and pledged the Community’s continues loyalty to constituted authorities
In a Royal blessing, the District Head of Butura, Dah Engr Dr. John Mallo Makwal, appreciated the people of Butura and the guests for their support and prayed for peace, progress, unity, and harmony among the Butura nation, Plateau State and Nigeria at large.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Atar Aten of Ganawuri, Yakubu Chaimang, the Acting Chairman, Bokkos Traditional Council who is the Saf Kulere, Lawrence Ayizat. the Sum pyem, Charles Mato Dakat, District head of Bokkos Dah Monday Adanchin, District head of Sha Dah Afal Agai, other District heads, village heads and ward heads, liaison officer to Governor Mutfwang, Bokkos Constituency, Hon, Maren Ishaku, Deputy clerk PSHA, Luka Makut, Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bulus Mallo, former speaker plateau State House of Assembly, Rt HON Titus Alams, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Adams Lekshak, Councillor, Butura Ward, Longs Ephraim, Councillor, Mandar Ward, Ajasco Matyek among other prominent sons and daughters of Bokkos and Plateau State. respectively..
Climax of the occasion was the interpretation of the proposed cultural village map by the Chairman of the Nahwai Cultural Committee, Professor Hayward Mafuyai.
Chieftaincy titles were conferred on past National Presidents of the Butura Community Development Association (BUDA) as “DAH MA TAH RAM” recognition of some Butura people who have curved a niche for themselves and done the community proud both at home and in the diaspora.
There was also donations in respect to the development of the Butura cultural village and the first-ever Butura documented cultural dance Video Disc was launched and unveiled by AVM Paul Masiyer (Rtd), as well as recitation of the new National Anthem in lis ma Ron by Students amidst cultural display which spiced up the event.