By Aselema Adako Auta, Lafia
Keana the ancient city of the Alago nation came to a standstill as all sons and daughters of the town were in full momentum as they celebrated the two hundred and fifty years of salt discovering. The event brought together the Kwararafa socio-cultural group.
Speakers upon speakers bare their minds about the importance of the Oyarore salt festival.
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said Nigeria’s cultural festivals remain vital tools for preserving heritage, strengthening unity and growing the creative economy.
The Minister who was represented by Mrs. Ogechukwu Udegbunam, an official of the ministry, described the Oyarore Festival as a powerful symbol of identity, resilience and community pride.
She said, “Today, we are not just celebrating a cultural event; we are celebrating heritage, identity, unity and community pride”.
According to her, the festival reflects the collective commitment of the people to preserving traditions that bind communities together as one.
Musawa said festival such as Oyarore play a significant role in reinforcing cultural identity while creating economic opportunities for local artists, performers, entrepreneurs and young talents.
She noted that the federal government recognises culture and tourism as key drivers of national development and was committed to supporting festivals that promote heritage, peace, and socio-economic growth.
Furtherance to this, she buttressed that, “The Oyarore Festival stands out as an event with the potential to grow into a major cultural attraction that can contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large,”
The minister assured stakeholders that the ministry would continue to collaborate with state governments, traditional institutions, and cultural advocates to ensure improved visibility, support, and inclusive participation, particularly for women and youth.
Also speaking, Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, described the Oyarore Salt Festival as an international event that should be handled with a global outlook and standards.
The governor commended the people of Keana for sustaining the centuries-old tradition and noted that salt occupies a symbolic place in the identity of Nasarawa State, as reflected in the state’s official logo, adding that, “The salt in our state logo is a source of pride. It reflects the historical and cultural importance of Keana to Nasarawa State,”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Miskoom Martin Shaldas III, the LongGamai of Gamai Nation in Plateau State, congratulated the people of Keana on the preservation of their rich cultural heritage.
He described the festival as an effective means of preserving history and culture and called for its sustenance for future generations.
Also, the host traditional ruler, His Royal Highest Dr Abdullahi Agbo III, the Osana of Keana, said the festival dates back over 250 years and was handed down by their forefathers as part of the community’s heritage.
He assured that the tradition would be preserved to enable future generations to understand the history and cultural values of Keana.
He thanked all who took their time to witness the festival a safe journey back home. He said, his predecessor, late Osana, Senator Emmanuel Elayo who ruled for over a decade celebrated Oyarore Salt Festival for two times and stressed that the festival has been taken over and registered as a national festival ten years ago
Earlier, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr Mike Omeri, a former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), said the 2025 celebration marked the 250th anniversary of the Oyarore Salt Festival, which began in 1775.
Dr. Omeri explained further that salt discovery was central to the historical foundation of Keana and that the festival traditionally marked the end of harvest and the beginning of a new season.
He said the natural salt from Keana is unique because it is naturally iodised, adding that the festival had now been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a franchise.
He added that the Federal Government has designated the festival as a national event and the site as a national monument to be preserved for tourism and national branding.
The chairman of the organising committee appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to invest in restoring the salt site and modernising salt production facilities to maximise economic benefits for the Keana community.
He reviewed further that the festival would introduce annual community development initiatives such as scholarships and infrastructure support.
Also, adding his voice to the importance of the festival, the member representing Keana State House of Assembly, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu (Iyan Agaza) said, the salt festival is not just a cultural gathering, but it stands as a testimony to our identify, unity, resilience, and the rich heritage that connects us as one proud community.
Professor Osana Alanana, (The Osuza Egwe), a lecturer with the Federal University Abuja, said the significant of the salt festival is to expose Keana to the world, adding that, it is a period which the sons and daughters of Keana all-over the world reunite with their relations and the younger ones to socialize themselves with their culture, values and norms.
Furthermore, Hon. A. Alanana Keana, popularly known as Oscar Keana, chairman of Indigenous People of Nasarawa State said the Oyarore Salt Festival brings peace and peaceful coexistence that fast-track free trade among the people and outside world.