Director Marketing, of the Plateau Radio/Television Corporation (PRTVC), Lady Victoria Selbyen Ari, who was recently conferred with the title of Ba’al Sharap of Gamai (Defender of Gamai Women) by the Long Goemai, Miskoom Martin Muduutrie Shaldas III, has promised use the title to unite and develop Gamai women through programmes that would change their lives.
She stated this Thursday while in an interview with THE NIGERIA STANDARD in her office in Jos, the Plateau State capital shortly after her conferment with the title. This took place in Shendam during the Bit Gamai.
Lady Ari who is the wife of the Director General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Sir Joseph Ntung Ari, said, “first, I want to appreciate and thank God, the Long Gamai, Miskoom Martin Muduutrie Shaldas III and the Gamai nation for the recognition given to me with the bestowment of the Ba’al Sharap Gamai (Defender of Gamai women).
“I also wholeheartedly appreciate and thank my husband, whose support towards my activities may have informed the decision of the recognition. As the Ba’al Sharap Gamai (Defender of Gamai women), I will draw up programmes aimed at uplifting the status of our womenfolk and children.
“I will in collaboration with the traditional institution, ensure more women participation in the Gamai activities in general through whatever ways God desires. I am calling on all the women to support me so that together we can succeed.
“By the grace of God, I will support the Gamai women and will be there for them because the meaning of the title bestowed on me is “The Defender of Gamai Women”. So, I will make sure every Gamai woman is known everywhere because they are industrious.
“I will make sure they go to school and ensure that they are supported through programmes that will develop them. I am not the only Gamai woman that her husband has contributed to the development of Gamai nation to deserve this title even as Tarok. But I am sure they want to pursue the course of unity that was why I think they gave me the great responsibility”, the Ba’al Sharap pointed out.
The director also thanked the Traditional Council for recognizing her husband and conferring him with the title of Kurnajam Gamai ( Minister of Defence) of the Gamai nation. She prayed that more women would be conferred with titles because “the appointment goes to show that the role of women in the development of the society is being recognized.
“This is a prove to the fact that the role of women toward peaceful coexistence is very dear to the Long Gamai and the entire Gamai Traditional Council. I will ensure that the confidence reposed in me will bring unity and development to Gamai women and the entire Gamai nation through skills acquisition programmes”, Lady Ari assured.
THE NIGERIA STANDARD observed that, just like the military practice where a General’s wife in the army can be ranked as a Field marshal, the Gamai Traditional Council towed the line by conferring the title of Ba’al Sharap to Lady Ari after conferring her husband with the title Kurnajam Gamai (Minister of Defence) accordingly.
