By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The President-General of the Nso Cultural and Development Association (NSODA), Shey Tadze Adamu Mbiydzela, has call on sons and daughters of Nso land “Wirfon” to “disagree without destroying one another” and to respect centuries-old traditional structures.
Mbiydzela delivered the message in an end-of-year address on Dec. 31, 2025. He announced that 2026 will be observed under the theme “Our Unity, Our Strength, Our Shared Responsibility.”
“Let us disagree without destroying one another,” he said. “Our culture and traditional governance structures are built on respect, dialogue and established customs, not the fleeting passions of online debate.”
He stressed that unity is “the very foundation of our existence as a people” and urged Nso people to reject divisions based on ethnicity, politics, religion or region. Reflecting on 2025, which was designated the Year of Peace and Reconciliation, Mbiydzela said NSODA’s peace and reconciliation initiatives have made gradual progress despite persistent efforts by those seeking to deepen internal divisions.
“Our collective efforts are needed for peace to reign,” he said. “At the individual level, we must support community-based initiatives aimed at healing trauma and rebuilding trust.”
He specifically called on Nso sons and daughters involved in non-state armed groups to embrace peace efforts so families can move freely and carry out their activities in safety and dignity. Mbiydzela urged active participation in community rebuilding, support for victims and dialogue, especially among youth who have been disproportionately affected by conflict and lack of opportunities.
He stressed the need to invest aggressively in education, skills training and entrepreneurship to empower young people and reduce their vulnerability to manipulation and radicalization. The NSODA leader also addressed the anticipated return of the sacred Ngonnso statue from Germany, describing it as “the spiritual homecoming of our mother deity” and “the return of a piece of our soul.”
“It is a moment of profound cultural and spiritual significance for every Nso person,” he said. “NSODA will work tirelessly with traditional authorities and the reception committee to ensure a dignified and culturally appropriate reception.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Mbiydzela said the focus will be on projects that create jobs and opportunities, particularly for women and youth. He called for closer collaboration between municipal councils, the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development (PPRD), the diaspora, traditional leaders and nongovernmental partners.
“Our strength has always been in our unity,” he said. “I implore all Nso people, both at home and in the diaspora, to put aside our differences and work collectively for the development, security and prosperity of the Nso Kingdom from Nkar to Nseh and Mbokam to Mbiame.”
Mbiydzela acknowledged that 2025 was marked by both resilience and deep scars from the ongoing national socio-political crisis, internal challenges within the paramountcy and the long-awaited repatriation of cultural heritage. “These storms we have weathered have tested the very fabric of our community,” he said, “but they have also projected our collective resilience as our greatest asset.”
He called for continued attention to the security situation, economic hardships and humanitarian needs through honest dialogue, lawful civic participation and transitional justice processes that support truth-telling, victim assistance and reintegration of former conflict actors.
“NSODA strongly advocates for dialogue over discord, support for youth, justice and reintegration so as to bring about genuine peace and reconciliation,” he said.
