The Ngas-speaking people of Pankshin and Kanke local government areas of central Plateau State have said this year’s annual Puusdung festival shall present spectacular cultural activities to the world, aimed at preserving their heritage and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Chairman of the Puusdung Central Planning Committee, Prof. Noel Wannang, who is also the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, made this announcement while addressing journalists in Jos on Thursday.
“This year’s edition of Puusdung will mark its 38th anniversary and promises to be bigger, more inclusive, and globally visible,” he said.
Prof. Wannang explained that, “Puusdung is more than a festival; it is the soul of the Ngas people, a celebration of their history, resilience, creativity, and collective identity”. He added that it is a sacred platform where tradition meets modernity, where elders pass down values to the younger generation, and where they proudly showcase the richness of Ngas heritage to the world.
“Over the years, Puusdung has grown beyond a cultural gathering into a unifying force for our people at home and in the diaspora. It promotes peace, strengthens communal bonds, stimulates local enterprise, and contributes meaningfully to tourism and economic activity within our communities,” he noted.
He stated that objectives of this year’s festival include preserving and promoting Ngas cultural heritage through music, dance, traditional rites, arts, crafts, and exhibitions. “The committee also aims to engage youths meaningfully, foster unity and reconciliation, and attract national and international attention to the cultural and tourism potential of the Ngas land. The theme for this edition is “Ngas: Identity, Legacy, and Continuity.”
On security, Prof. Wannang assured that all arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of lives and property during the festival, noting that Ngas land is the most peaceful arena in Plateau State, declaring that the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, will participate fully in the activities of the forthcoming Puusdung festival.
At the press conference, Prof. Wannang presented Ngas cultural attire to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mrs. Ayuku Pwaspo, as a mark of honor for her dedication to the journalism profession.
Several individuals who have contributed immensely to the development of Ngas land and its people will be honored during the festival.
