Culture stimulates local economic enterprise – Prof. Wannang

Plateau State, North-Central, Nigeria is popularly refer to as Home of Peace and Tourism.
The State, as a miniature Nigeria, serves as home for all Nigerians.
Beyond the splendor of nature’s beauty is the rich cultural heritage of the people.
Every year each ethnic Nationality chooses a date to celebrate its Festival of Arts and Culture.
The Ngas Nation is not left out, as it has chosen the month of April 2026 to display the rich cultural heritage of the people to the outside world, through its Annual Cultural festival known as PUUSDUNG.
Unveiling activities lineup for the event, during a Press Conference, in Jos, Chairman of the Central Planning Committee of annual festival, who also doubles as the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education Pankshin, Professor Noel Wannang, said: “Puusdung is more than a festival. It is the soul of the Ngas people. It is a celebration of our history, our resilience, our creativity, and our collective identity. It is a sacred platform where tradition meets modernity, where elders pass down values to the younger generation, and where we proudly showcase the richness of Ngas heritage to the world.”According to him, the cultural festival has grown beyond a cultural gathering into a unifying force for our people at home and in the diaspora. It promotes peace, strengthens communal bonds, stimulates local enterprise, and contributes meaningfully to tourism and economic activity within our communities.
The Central Planning Committee Chairman disclosed: “This year’s edition (Puusdung 2026) will mark its 38th anniversary and it promises to be bigger, more inclusive, and globally visible.
our objectives for this year’s festival include:
Preserving and promoting Ngas cultural heritage through music, dance, traditional rites, arts, crafts, and exhibitions.
Engaging our youths meaningfully by creating platforms for talent discovery, entrepreneurship, and cultural education.
Fostering unity and reconciliation among our people and neighboring communities.
Attracting national and international attention to the cultural and tourism potential of our land.
That is why we carefully chose the theme of this edition to be tagged; Ngas : Identity , Legacy and Continuity.”On security and media, Professor Wannang noted.“We are working closely with traditional institutions, community leaders, government agencies, security agencies, cultural groups, and private sector partners to ensure a well-coordinated, peaceful, and successful event.
Security, logistics, media visibility, sponsorship engagement, and cultural authenticity are key pillars of our planning strategy.”
The CPC Chairman concluded:”Culture is not just about celebration; it is about identity, continuity, and development.”