W.H.O holds Maiden Northeast Cultural Fiesta with host communities in Yobe
By Mohammed Dala Lawan
To cement relationships with the host communities of the Northeast ravaged by the Boko Haram Insurgency, the World Health Organisation has conducted a maiden Northeast Cultural Fiesta, displaying the heritage of different tribes in the region.
The W.H.O State Coordinator in Yobe, Dr. Hamisu Alhassan who declared the fiesta opened in Damaturu the state capital, revealed the event was also aimed at reducing work stress on the W.H.O staff and improving work line balance.
“This is a cultural fiesta for Northeast Nigeria holding in Yobe state. The W.H.O Staff Association has inaugurated a cultural fiesta across Nigeria but for the Northeast, this is the maiden one”
“It was inaugurated under our W.H.O Representative in person of Walter Kazadi Molombo and we appreciate him for finding it necessary to celebrate this kind of fiesta. It is aimed at creating team bonding between staff of the WHO and the host communities to reduce work stress, work level and improve work line balance as well display the rich cultural heritage of the environment” he said.
Mister Kakagana Mustapha, a W.H.O Assistant Public Health officer who gave an overview of the cultural fiesta explained some selected tribes of Kanuri, Hausa, Fulani, and Karai-karai among others were used as a symbol of unity in the fiesta.
Dr. Umar Chiroma, the Director of Immunization of the Primary Healthcare Management Board who represented the State government explained, that the WHO has a cordial working relationship with the government and it has been supportive in curtailing disease outbreaks stressing in health-related organizations they are one.
“Health-related intervention is a family affair and whether you are from Kanuri, Hausa, Fulani or Shuwa Arab or whichever we are one when it comes to work, we work together and celebrate together”.
“This is to showcase that we are coming from different backgrounds therefore we commend WHO for this” he said.
Prince Sigbara and Kande Onwe who attended the cultural display commended the W.H.O. for organising such an event saying it is a symbol of uniting different tribes and partners.
The event organised by the World Health Organisation Staff Association and billed to hold annually across the states of the federation also witnessed the display of different cultural dishes.
