The Niger State Governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, and Gbagyis across the country and in the diaspora have decried the decades of neglect by the Federal and States Governments in the appointment of their sons and daughters into strategic political positions.
Aliyu said it was time for the Gbagyis to realise their position at the state and national levels for proper representation.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Dr. Peter Sarki, called for unity amongst the Gbagyis, saying: “Only unity would sustain the socio-cultural norms of the Gbagyis in the country.”
Speaking at the National Gbagyi Summit organised by Gbagyi Enlightenment Initiative, a Non Governmental Organization, in Minna, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Mailafiya Filaba, said the Gbagyis have been so marginalised.
According to Filaba: “We, Gbagyis in Abuja, Niger, Nassarawa and Kaduna States have been misrepresented and denied our rights, especially in holding key political positions at both states and national level.”
Prof. Filaba, who is the Head of the Department of History and Archaeology at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, while lamenting the neglect of the Gbagyis by the government into vital national positions, sued for a repositioning of the people in the country.
He called on the people to embrace education, adding: “Education is the only key that would give the Gbagyis voice to actively participate in political activities.”
Earlier, founder of GEI, Sarah Shekwonya, said the goal of the NGO is to inspire Gbagyi people to become achievers and leaders in the society.
Accordingly, Shekwonya said: “Our core mandate is to build leaders in their various fields of choice.
“We noticed our youths are getting desperate and tired of the status quo.
“This initiative is to take away our youths from societal pressure to focus energy into building a new set of ideas.”
Shekwonya added that the initiative is to provide capacity of the Gbagyis and to encourage youths to take charge of their future.
Highlight of the event was an award presentation to Aliyu, Alhaji Musa Ijah and Alhaji Sheu Bwari among others for their contributions to the development and growth of the Gbagyi culture.