Ngbako Calls for Gbagyi Political Unity, Greater Representation at MIGIN Awards

Ambassador Ayuba Jacob Ngbako has called on the Gbagyi/Gbari people to unite across political, religious and geographical boundaries to secure greater representation in government and accelerate the development of their communities.

Ngbako made the call on Saturday while delivering his remarks as Chairman of the Occasion at the Most Influential Gbagyi in Nigeria (MIGIN) Awards and Magazine 2026, held at NICON Luxury, Abuja.

The event was themed “Building the Gbagyi/Gbari Nation: Advancing Unity and Development Through Politics, Tradition, Religion and Education.”

He said the Gbagyi people, whom he described as the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory, had contributed significantly to Abuja’s development but needed stronger political coordination to advance their collective interests.

According to him, the community must move beyond voting for political candidates to seeking elective and appointive positions across the FCT and neighbouring states, including Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi.

Ngbako identified politics, tradition, religion and education as the four pillars necessary for building a united and prosperous Gbagyi/Gbari nation.

On political participation, he urged the people to consolidate their influence across the states where they reside and pursue greater representation in the National Assembly, ministerial appointments and local government leadership.

He also called for support for President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging Gbagyi people to back the party’s candidates in the FCT and other states.

Ngbako specifically highlighted the community’s agitation for an elected governor for the FCT, arguing that stronger representation in the National Assembly would provide a platform for sustained advocacy and engagement with the Federal Government.

He commended the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure projects in the FCT, including road construction in Bwari, Kwali, Abaji, Kuje and Gwagwalada, as well as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

On cultural preservation, the MIGIN Awards chairman raised concerns about the declining use of the Gbagyi language among younger generations.

He urged parents to teach the language at home, while calling on traditional rulers and community leaders to document the people’s history, promote cultural festivals and ensure that their heritage is passed on to future generations.

He described the MIGIN magazine and awards as important platforms for documenting the community’s history, celebrating outstanding individuals and strengthening its collective identity.

Addressing religious harmony, Ngbako urged Christians and Muslims in the Gbagyi community to use their faith to promote peace, tolerance and development.

He said religious institutions should contribute more actively to community advancement, adding that cooperation across religious lines remained essential to the unity of the Gbagyi people.

On education, he called for increased efforts to ensure that every Gbagyi child had access to formal education, vocational training and digital skills.

He encouraged young people to explore opportunities under NELFUND and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, describing education and skills development as essential to economic empowerment and effective participation in governance.

Ngbako also praised the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, infrastructure investments, agricultural initiatives and security measures, presenting them as evidence of efforts to advance national development.

Charging the award recipients to justify their recognition, he urged them to promote Gbagyi interests through political engagement, cultural preservation, religious tolerance and educational support.

He challenged successful members of the community to sponsor the education of disadvantaged children, support the development of schools and mentor younger people aspiring to leadership.

“We have no other land, no other identity,” he said, stressing the need for collective action to preserve the community’s heritage and secure its future.

Ngbako subsequently declared the MIGIN Awards 2026 ceremony open, expressing hope for greater unity and development among the Gbagyi/Gbari people, the FCT and Nigeria.