The Southern Kaduna People’s Union has inaugurated three standing committees aimed at strengthening cultural preservation, youth development through sports, and improving political participation and security coordination across Southern Kaduna.

The committees were inaugurated on May 8, 2026, at BBS Diamond Suite under the leadership of Tabara Samuel Kato, President of SOKAPU.

In his opening remarks, Engr. Tabara called on members of the committees to be self-motivated and committed to advancing the interests of Southern Kaduna, stressing the urgent need to preserve the region’s cultures and languages, which he warned are steadily fading.

He noted that Southern Kaduna must also reassess its political strategy, governance participation and community security structures to strengthen democracy, improve representation at local, state and federal levels, and promote peaceful coexistence.

On youth development, the SOKAPU President highlighted the importance of sports as a tool for talent discovery, empowerment and social engagement. He said the proposed Southern Kaduna Sports Festival would become an annual platform to identify and showcase talented young people from across the region while steering them away from antisocial activities.

The committees were formally sworn in by Victor John Japhet.

The Sports Festival Committee was specifically tasked with ensuring broad participation of youths from all 66 Community Development Associations (CDAs) spread across the 13 local government areas where Southern Kaduna communities reside.

Sports lined up for this year’s festival include:

Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, Athletics

Speaking at the event, Titus Dauda, the Traditional Ruler of Kufana, described the inauguration of the committees as timely and necessary, noting that Southern Kaduna must urgently revive its cultural identity, strengthen political engagement, improve security consciousness and create new pathways for youth development.

He recalled that in the past, sports provided opportunities for employment, scholarships and social advancement, urging the people of Southern Kaduna to embrace the initiative as a unifying force for regional growth and development.

The chairmen of the three committees pledged their readiness to deliver on their mandates and called for the support of all stakeholders to ensure success.

Closing the event, Engr. Tabara urged sons and daughters of Southern Kaduna to rally behind the committees, describing service to the people as a collective responsibility and a call to build a stronger future for the region.