Dalung blames drug abuse, others on foreign culture

Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has blamed foreign culture for social vices like drug abuse and corruption in Nigeria.

Dalung stated this on Sunday at Tarok Cultural Carnival organised by Ntim Otarok Cultural Association (NOCA), in Mabudi, Langtang South Council of Plateau State, with the theme ‘Promoting and Sustaining Tarok Culture in the 21st Century’.

The minister, a Torok indigene, noted that the Nigerian culture taught good morals and values, which abhor social vices prevalent in the country today.

According to him, the confusion of which culture to follow has stagnated the country’s development efforts.

“It is this confusion today that makes leaders neglect their subjects in abject poverty, while living like Europeans. Cultures like Tarok, which we are celebrating today, teaches us to be our brother’s keeper. It also teaches us to speak with one voice and have common direction as a people.

“The importance of the occasion is to come together and speak in one voice as a people in brotherhood and hand over the bulk of the cultural heritage to generations yet unborn,” he said.

On the 2019 general elections, Dalung called on Tarok sons and daughters to refrain from politics of deceit, selfish interest and vote leaders that would protect their interest.

“We are sick and tired of people who represent us for years with nothing to show for it,” Dalung said.

He advised Tarok people to remain united and design their agenda as they live peacefully with one another.

House of Representatives member for Langtang North/South, Beni Lar, affirmed that the “Tarok culture has come to stay.”

Stating that “people without culture and tradition have no focus and direction,” Lar assured the people of her continuous effective representation, pointing out that Tarok people believe in justice.

Chairman, Plateau Youth Council, Dr. Jemchang Fabong, in his address, charged Tarok people to preserve their cultural values that emphasise peaceful co-existence.

The carnival hosted dignitaries from within and outside Tarok.

Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (rtd.), was represented at the event by the Commissioner of Police, Plateau Command, Austin Agbonlahor.

The event featured cultural dances and procession by different groups and age grades.