Tor Tiv: One year on the throne

On Saturday, May 5, the people of Tiv kingdom in Benue state, rolled out the drums to celebrate one year anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Tor Tiv V, Professor James Iorzua Ayatse, as paramount ruler of the Tiv nation. DANIEL AGBO reports
Ayatse’s coronation Tor Tiv V, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, was sworn in on Saturday, March 5, 2017.
He succeeded his predecessor, His Royal Highness, Orchivirigh, Late Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, Tor Tiv IV who ruled between 1991 and 2015, until his demise on 22 November 2015. Ayatse was elected on Tuesday, 20 December 2016 by the Kingmakers of his subjects after a meeting of the Tiv Supreme Council known as “Ijirtamen” held at the chambers of the Tiv Traditional Council at Gboko, a town recognized as the traditional headquarters of the Tiv people who are believed to be the 4th largest ethnic group in Nigeria.
Thanksgiving service He was exactly one year on the throne 5 March 2018, however, the thanksgiving service for the anniversary of Begha U Tiv, ( lion of the Tiv land) was held Saturday May 5 two months after his inauguration at the popular Gboko township stadium. Gboko town was in a near lockdown because of the heavy traffic to the venue.
Though the anniversary was marked only by thanksgiving service, the event also witnessed the inauguration of the AYATUTU KA SE Foundation. The occasion was graced by creme de la crème in Tiv land and friends of the kingdom. First class traditional rulers, eminent friends of Tiv nation, captains of industry and the political class.
High-Point of event The high-point of the event was when the Tiv monarch led his subjects and friends or visitors among his people in fervent prayer to GOD ALMIGHTY to heal Tivland and uplift and protect his people especially against the invading murderous herdsmen killing his people and ravaging the land. Special prayer sessions were also held for the Tor Tiv and his family, traditional rulers, governor of Benue state Samuel Ortom.
The monarch also announced that he has started a foundation for the advancement of the Tiv cause named “Ayatutu Ka Se Foundation” which he stressed is for peaceful purposes. Governor of Benue state Samuel Ortom, who was at the thanksgiving service described Prof. James Ayatse, lockdown because of the heavy traffic to the venue.
Though the anniversary was marked only by thanksgiving service, the event also witnessed the inauguration of the AYATUTU KA SE Foundation. The occasion was graced by creme de la crème in Tiv land and friends of the kingdom.
First class traditional rulers, eminent friends of Tiv nation, captains of industry and the political class. High-Point of event The high-point of the event was when the Tiv monarch led his subjects and friends or visitors among his people in fervent prayer to GOD ALMIGHTY to heal Tivland and uplift and protect his people especially against the invading murderous herdsmen killing his people and ravaging the land.
Special prayer sessions were also held for the Tor Tiv and his family, traditional rulers, governor of Benue state Samuel Ortom. The monarch also announced that he has started a foundation for the advancement of the Tiv cause named “Ayatutu Ka Se Foundation” which he stressed is for peaceful purposes.
Governor of Benue state Samuel Ortom, who was at the thanksgiving service described Prof. James Ayatse, Tor Tiv: One year on the throne as a great monarch, whose reign had brought unity and socioeconomic development to the Tiv nation.
Ortom He praised the Tor Tiv for the efforts he has made the past one year to bring unity among sons and daughters of the Tiv nation Ortom said one of the major things that brought disunity in Tiv land was involvement of traditional rulers in politics.
He said the efforts of Professor Ayatse to reconcile Tiv daughters and sons especially his reconciliation with his predecessor Gabriel Suswam ,was one of the greatest things that has happened to the Tiv nation.
“It is good and we need to thank God for what the Tor Tiv is doing to unite the people and bring peace and progress to the land. “There is every need for us to avoid politics of rancour and return to God. Our people are being attacked and killed, we are in a period of mourning. “We must jettison pride, be humble and embrace one another.
“Why should we continue fighting among ourselves when we are in trouble, surrounded by enemies who are attacking and killing our people on a daily basis. “We are facing hunger in Tiv land because our people have been chased from our ancestral homes and are living in Internally Displaced camps across states,” he added.
Governor Ortom also commended the steps taken by the Tiv paramount ruler to institute ‘Ayatutu Ka Se’ Foundation, saying that he is happy with the gesture and will do everything to support its progress.
He said the Tor Tiv, since he took over the throne has brought in policies to bring progress and development to the Tiv nation. “The foundation is one of the best achievements of the Tor Tiv because it has the potentials of bringing unpresidented development to the Tiv land.
“For this reason, I am willing to support the project as an individual and government and I urge all indigenes of the Tiv nation and friends to contribute to the success of the project.
Suswam Former governor of Benue state Gabriel Suswam, who graced the occasion commended the Tiv nation for giving traditional leadership to professor Ayatse who he described as a colossus of knowledge and wisdom. He restated the need for Tiv people in Nigeria and the Diaspora not to relent in protecting the cultural identity of the race, and rally round the Tor Tiv in his efforts to bring unity, progress and to the people. He said without unity, the world will leave the people behind.
“We have made the right choice of Professor James Ayatse, as king of the Tiv nation. “He has brought unity to the Tiv land and we are happy to see that Tiv people are beginning to see the need for them to give traditional leadership to those who are enlightened. “His efforts to reconcile sons and daughters of the Tiv nation who were greatly divided due to political diff erences are worth commending and will bring peace and progress to the Tiv land.
The former governor advised against those who are fond of creating problems among politicians saying it will only retard progress of the land. He advised against politics of rancour urged all Tiv people to consider fi rst the cause of Tiv land against other selfi sh political interests.
Tor Tiv V Ayatse Addressing people at the Th anksgiving Service, Tor Tiv V Prof Ayatse, said God had made him king to retrace the steps of Tiv people and bring them back to His Throne (God’s Th rone).
He said he is optimistic that Tiv people will again become great if they truly repented and worshiped God who made him their ruler. Ayatse noted that his leadership as paramount ruler of the Tiv nation within the last one year, has recorded some achievement but for respect of his subjects murdered by the herdsmen he would not yet unveil them.
He however, stated that he has setup various committees to reform the Tiv nation and he will soon make his pronouncements. “We have identified some issues inimical to the development of Tiv nation and we have set committees to address them.
“We have advised our sons and daughters not to engage themselves in public when they have misunderstanding, but always dialogue to reconcile themselves in private to be respected among other tribes. “I have also warned traditional rulers and their wives to be neutral and avoid engaging in politics,” he added. He announced the inauguration of the AYATUTU KA SE Foundation which, he said will bring peace and serve to develop Benue. “During my coronation as the fifth Tor Tiv in March last year, I stated in my acceptance speech among other things that I will establish a Tiv nation common purse which will drive the development agenda for the Tiv nation.
“To actualise this, I and the Tiv Area Traditional Council has followed due process to register a platform for the commob fund known as ‘Ayatutu Ka Se’ Foundation. He said the foundation is aimed at creating employment, and development of both individual and collectively the Tiv nation. “The vision of the foundation is ‘To ensure the development of Tiv nation through community based collaboration efforts supported by members and friends of Tiv nation, and to do so through partnership and with integrity using international best practices.
“The foundation will identify, promote, cater for and uphold the welfare of the Tiv people and work to tackle all other incidental issues affecting the collective well-being of the Tiv people all over the world. “It will also be used to promote unity, peaceful coexistence and cooperation among Tiv people and their neighbours all over the world. “The foundation will also promote entrepreneurship and entrepreneural skills acquisition among Tiv youths and facilitate women empowerment among other things,” he added. He urged all Tiv sons and daughters both in Nigeria, Cameroon and the Diaspora to volunteer services to the foundation and donate generously for the progress of the foundation and Tiv land.

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