{"id":44519,"date":"2026-05-11T14:08:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T12:08:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/?p=44519"},"modified":"2026-05-11T14:08:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T12:08:46","slug":"vp-hussein-calls-for-unity-during-pojulu-cultural-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/11\/vp-hussein-calls-for-unity-during-pojulu-cultural-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"VP Hussein calls for unity during Pojulu cultural festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Louis Loku<\/em><\/p>\n

Vice President for the Services Cluster Hussein Abdelbagi Akol on Saturday described the Pojulu Cultural Festival as a celebration of identity, dignity, unity, and heritage, saying culture remains central to nation-building and peaceful coexistence in South Sudan.<\/p>\n

Speaking during the opening day of the festival, Abdelbagi said the event was \u201cnot merely an occasion of songs, dances, and traditional art,\u201d but a celebration of \u201cthe living spirit of our people, whose culture has continued to enrich the soul of our nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said the Pojulu people carry a rich legacy of wisdom, resilience, hospitality, courage, and peaceful coexistence while preserving values that strengthen family unity, communal harmony, respect for elders, and love for the land.<\/p>\n

According to Abdelbagi, Pojulu culture is reflected through traditional dances, oral traditions, folklore, music, craftsmanship, and social justice systems that continue to shape society.<\/p>\n

\u201cPojulu culture is not only a treasure for Central Equatoria State, but also an important chapter in the national identity of South Sudan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The vice president noted that South Sudan\u2019s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, emphasising that the country\u2019s tribes, languages, customs, and traditions unite under one national identity.<\/p>\n

\u201cThough we may speak different languages and practice different traditions, we share one destiny as one people under one flag,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

Abdelbagi said cultural festivals promote peace by encouraging mutual respect, cultural understanding, and social harmony among communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a government, we recognise the critical importance of preserving and promoting culture as part of our nation-building and peace-building,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He added that the government would continue supporting cultural initiatives, community heritage programs, youth empowerment through arts and culture, and intercultural exchanges aimed at strengthening national cohesion and peaceful coexistence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that investing in culture is investing in peace, unity, and social stability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Addressing the youth, Abdelbagi encouraged young people to preserve their cultural identity with pride while embracing education, innovation, and national unity.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever allow hatred or division to poison the beauty of our diversity,\u201d he urged.<\/p>\n

He also praised the Pojulu community for its contributions to agriculture, trade, education, public service, and community leadership, saying the community continues to play a vital role in the development of Central Equatoria State and the nation at large.<\/p>\n

Abdelbagi further acknowledged the efforts of chiefs, elders, women, artists, intellectuals, youth groups, and community organisers in preserving cultural traditions despite social and economic challenges.<\/p>\n

He thanked the United Nations, diplomatic missions, civil society organisations, and development agencies for supporting peacebuilding, cultural preservation, and community development across South Sudan.<\/p>\n

\u201cA nation that honours its culture, honours its identity. A people who preserve their tradition preserve their soul,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Abdelbagi officially opened the festival and expressed appreciation to the organisers and the Pojulu community for preserving and promoting their cultural heritage for future generations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Louis Loku Vice President for the Services Cluster Hussein Abdelbagi Akol on Saturday described the Pojulu Cultural Festival as a celebration of identity, dignity, unity, and heritage, saying culture remains central to nation-building and peaceful coexistence in South Sudan. Speaking during the opening day of the festival, Abdelbagi said[Read More…]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":44520,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[80,79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-national","category-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Vice-president-for-Services-Cluster-during-the-first-day-of-Pojulu-Cultural-Festival-Photo-by-Louis-Loku-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44519"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44519\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44521,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44519\/revisions\/44521"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44520"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.onecitizendaily.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}