The paramount ruler of the Tiv ethnic group – the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ortese Ayatse, has asked his people at home and in the Diaspora to be united wherever they are living. They should also co-exist peacefully with their neighbours. He said it is by doing so that the Tiv nation will make the desired progress.
Ayatse, a former university vice chancellor, tasked his subjects when a delegation of the Tiv people of Taraba visited him in his palace in Gboko, Benue State, at the weekend. The team included Chief Orkuma Nev, Jerry Tyolanga, Kurason Kura, Samuel Tsuwa Ibi, Orbee Uchiv, James Nungwa, Teghtegh Shaakaa, Jacob Gbagede, Dooga Gbashi, David Mtuhwen, David Gbaa and the Tiv chiefs from eight local government areas of Taraba State. Present was also Dr. Yakubu Tor-Agbidye, who represented the Taraba Tiv in Abuja.
Tiv people are found in appreciable numbers in Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa, Abuja and Niger, apart from Benue State where the bulk of their brothers live. But unlike other ethnic groups, they have [only] one paramount ruler who ascends the throne through a rotational arrangement.
Ayatse who is the fifth Tor Tiv, after the death of Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, said his ascension to the throne was divinely ordained, as he has pledged to do “everything possible to reposition the Tiv nation on the path of progress.”
“My agenda is to reposition the Tiv nation. Wherever I hear the cry of my children, I will go there and ask questions. But I can’t succeed if you (Tiv) are not united. Therefore, I urge you to remain united. If you are united, Nigeria will listen to us, but without unity we can’t do anything meaningful.
“Some events in the past have placed the Tiv in many states outside of Benue, including Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, FCT and so many other locations within Nigeria and in the neighbouring Cameroon that nobody can say Tiv people are settlers in these areas.”
Tor Tiv said he will soon visit the Jukun King (Aku Uka of Wukari) in Taraba and the Emir of Lafia in Nasarawa State, as well as the governors of these states to dialogue with them to ensure a peaceful environment for his subjects.
President General of Tiv Cultural and Social Association in Taraba State, Chief Goodman Msughaondo Dahida, who led the delegation for the visit, pledged total loyalty and support of the Tiv people of Taraba to the Tor Tiv.
He appealed to the Tor Tiv to build a strong relationship with the traditional rulers in the neighbouring states, especially the Aku Uka of Wukari and the Emir of Muri in Taraba.
Dahida noted that enactment of the Anti-Open Grazing Law by Governors Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba) will put an end to the incessant attacks on Tiv farmers by herdsmen. He urged the governors to ensure full implementation of the law.
Logging you in...
