The campus of Taraba State University came alive on Saturday as students from across the Mambilla Plateau in Sardauna Local Government Area gathered for a colourful cultural carnival celebrating unity, heritage, and hope for the future.
Amid the rhythm of drums and clouds of red dust, students dressed in woven fabrics and traditional sandals marched onto the university grounds, symbolically carrying the legacy of their ancestors.
The event, themed “Celebrating Culture, Inspiring the Future,” marked the first of its kind for the plateau’s diverse communities, bringing together students from the Kaka, Mambilla, Fulani, Cambu, and Panso ethnic groups. Through traditional dances, dramas, and music, they showcased the cultural richness of Sardauna LGA.
The university quadrangle was transformed into a lively arena where ancient customs met youthful creativity, with each performance celebrating the region’s deep-rooted heritage.
“This programme is for our unity and to make us remember our culture,” said Harrison Titon, one of the guests. He described the carnival as a step toward building shared identity and cohesion on the plateau.
“If we put our differences aside, Mambilla Plateau will move to new heights,” he added.
A representative of the Sardauna council chairman commended the organisers, stressing the importance of unity for sustainable growth. “In unity, we will achieve greater things and bring the much-desired development to the council,” he said.
The Dean of the Faculty of Law, who attended the event, spoke about the significance of preserving cultural identity. He explained the origins of various dances and called for the inclusion of cultural studies in schools, noting that “a people without culture are people without a soul.”
He also urged communities to explore cultural tourism as a tool for economic growth.
A highlight of the day was a student drama depicting neighbours choosing cooperation over conflict, which drew prolonged applause and left a lasting impression on the audience.
At the end of the event, students signed a unity pledge, vowing to shun actions that could destabilise their communities. Though symbolic, the moment reflected a genuine commitment to peace and progress.
Prince Danjuma K. Adda, a community leader and sponsor of the event, urged elders to empower young people and give them space to lead. “It’s high time to give younger men the opportunity to ascend,” he said.
“We will reject division and vices that will drag the Mambilla Plateau backward.”
As the sun set over the hills, the carnival ended on a note of hope. Beyond the music and dances, it became a call to action — a blueprint for unity, education, and community development across the Mambilla Plateau.
