THE apex body of Amper District Development Association (ADDA) in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, has concluded plans to hold its annual festival tagged; “2021 Arkhem Festival” come Friday December 31, 2021.
The festival which would kick-start December 29, with a symposium where Specialists would educate sons and daughters on drug abuse and health issues is to be followed by a Carnival on December 30, which would attract youths from all over Amper District displaying their rich cultural heritage from Per Palace down to Ban village and back to be addressed by the District Head, Nde Emmanuel Jatau respectively.
That same day there would be Galla Night in the evening by 6pm till dawn, where the grand finale would climax on December 31, 2021 at the Jurbe Hotel Field in Amper, featuring cultural dances from sons and daughters of Amper District as well as neighbouring Districts of Ngas land who would troop in to witness this occasion.
The National Chairman of Amper District Development Association (ADDA) Nde Gopar Jinnah, who disclosed this to SUNDAY STANDARD ahead of the festival said, “Arkhem festival is an annual event that is normally celebrated by Amper District Development Association. The purpose is just for people to come together in unity for the purpose of development.
“ADDA comprises of other villages like Amper town itself, Shiwer, Seri, Gungji, Kurum etc, which make up the Amper District to learn about our culture and demonstrate traditional ways of dances. During this period, people usually come for holiday and it is also an avenue for those who do not know much about our culture to learn from what we are doing”, he highlighted.
Jinnah, therefore, called on sons and daughters of Amper District to contribute to see to the completion of the ongoing Town Hall Complex initiated by the present Executive Council which was still at the foundation level saying, “ this project is very dear to our hearts. When completed, the town hall shall be called “Unity Hall”.
SUNDAY STANDARD understands that, the Arkhem Festival was first celebrated in 1995 and since then, it has out been yearly observed and celebrated, if not for some slide skirmishes due to some challenges that had to do with leadership and the advent of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Chairman Media & Publicity Committee of 2021 Arkhem Festival, Hon. Pius Yilchini, has assured all sons and daughters of Amper District as well as friends of the district that, all arrangements were already in place for the celebration with posters pasted in all nooks and crannies ahead of the radio announcements.
