Senator Barnabas Gemade yesterday led leaders of Benue North East to pay home to the New Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, in his Makurdi, Benue State residence.
Prof Ayatse’s coronation is scheduled for Saturday in Gboko.
Gemade said they were in the palace to pledge their loyalty ahead of Saturday’s coronation. He expressed confidence that the monarch will return Tiv people to glory.
The Tor Tiv said Tiv people must change their thinking for them to progress Nigeria, adding that they must also return to God for him to show his glory.
Tag: Tor Tiv
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Gemade, others pay homage to Tor Tiv
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Tor Tiv’s coronation holds Saturday
President Muhammadu Buhari, governors, ministers, emirs and other top dignitaries are expected to attend Saturday’s coronation of the fifth Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, in Gboko, Benue State.
The coronation will hold at the J.S Tarka stadium in Gboko.
Addressing reporters on activities lined up for the coronation, Chairman, Central Planning Committee, General Atom Kpera (rtd), said the occasion would be used to showcase the rich culture of the Tiv.
According to the programme of activities, cultural entertainment from six Tiv intermediary areas will begin Wednesday and continue till Saturday.
Chairman of the Publicity sub-committee Titus Zam said only accredited journalists would be allowed into the venue.
The ceremony will, however, be beamed live on television and radio.
Gboko town is already wearing a new look in preparation for the Saturday’s event.
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Kalu hails Tor Tiv
Former Governor of Abia State Orji Kalu has praised the Tiv nation for appointing Prof. James Ornguga Ayatse, former Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Agriculture, Markudi, as the fifth Tor Tiv.
According to Kalu, the academician’s appointment as paramount ruler is an affirmation of his personality, adding that Prof. Ayatse will use his intellectual capacity to drive development in his domain.
A statement by his Special Adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, said: “I celebrate with the Tiv community on the election of Prof. James Ayatse as the new Tor Tiv.
“The choice of the erudite scholar is timely and in the best interest of Benue State. Prof. Ayatse’s extraordinary qualities will continue to stand him out in his pursuits. It is indeed a well-deserved and timely appointment.”
The former governor urged the new monarch to sustain the legacies of his predecessor, Dr. Alfred Torkula, Tor Tiv IV, by promoting peace and unity in Tivland.
Kalu prayed God to make the monarch’s reign remarkable and grant him long life on the throne.
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Atiku hails new Tor Tiv
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the new traditional ruler of Tiv land, Prof. James Ornguga Ayatse, is one of the most qualified traditional rulers of modern times, a unique quality which, according to him, will assist the new monarch in his duties.
A statement yesterday by his media office noted that Prof. Ayatse’s appointment as the paramount ruler of Tiv land is well deserved.
According to Atiku, the government and people of Benue State have made a great decision by the choice of a distinguished academician, scholar and an outstanding administrator as the new Tor Tiv.
Having been a Vice Chancellor twice, Atiku notes that Prof. Ayatse has more than enough experience and pedigree to steer the affairs of the Tiv people.
He prayed God to grant the monarch wisdom and guidance to lead his people to greater heights.
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Buhari greets Tor Tiv
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Prof. James Ornguga Ayatse on his appointment as the fifth Tor Tiv.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said President Buhari believed Prof. Ayatse’s appointment was an affirmation of his strength of character, integrity, and moral authority, as a lecturer, erudite scholar and administrator.
He advised his subjects to support the monarch to make his reign a success, and urged the Tor Tiv to use his office as a veritable platform for conflict prevention, peace building and development in the grassroots.
President Buhari pledged that his administration will continue to recognise traditional institutions as key partners in finding solutions to sensitive issues.
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‘I’ll not interfere with selection of Tor Tiv’
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has promised not to interfere with selection of first class chiefs and other traditional rulers.
Ortom, who made the promise while speaking at a thanksgiving in his honour at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mercy Land Parish, Makurdi, said a three-day fasting and prayer had been declared for a transparent selection process.
The governor explained that the prayer session would erase the era of using witchcraft to install chiefs.
He added that on Wednesday, selected representatives of the chiefs would converge on the Chapel of Grace at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi, for the final prayer.
Pastor Aderemi Folasayo, in his sermon, said any plan against Ortom’s administration would be leaked like Mordecai detected the plan against Esther in the Bible.
Folasayo said God would set a table for Governor Ortom in the presence of those who plan to cause a setback for his administration, and urged the people to be part of his success story.
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Jonathan condoles Tor Tiv’s family
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed sadness over the death of the chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council and the Paramount Ruler of Tiv Land, the Tor Tiv, Alfred Akawe Torkula.
He described the deceased as a reformist whose candor encouraged peaceful co-existence of different ethnic nationalities in Benue State.
In a condolence letter to Tor Tiv’s family and the Benue State Government, Jonathan said: “The late Tor Tiv was a great reformist and peace lover whose people-oriented leadership and candour ensured the establishment of peaceful co-existence in Tiv Land Benue State, and the entire region.
“He will also be remembered as a celebrated spiritual guide of his people, who not only served as a true custodian of Tiv’s rich culture and tradition, but also worked diligently for the creation of more districts in his domain.
“He will indeed be missed by his family, the good people of Tiv Land, Benue State and the entire nation.”
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Buhari mourns Tor Tiv, Inua Wada
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness at the death of the Paramount Ruler of the Tivland, Alfred Akawe Torkula and a Minister of Defence in the First Republic, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Wada.
In separate condolences, the President commiserated with the immediate families, friends and associates of the deceased, the governments and people of Benue and Kano States.
He urged them to take solace in the knowledge that the departed distinguished Nigerians lived well and contributed significantly to the development of not only their states but the country in general.
President Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, noted that the Fourth Tor Tiv was a great advocate of peace and unity during his 24-year reign, urging his subjects to maintain the existing peace during and after the succession process.
On Alhaji Wada, the President recalled with pride his active years as a renowned teacher, parliamentarian and minister up until his post-political career as a foremost transporter and industrialist.
He prayed that God Almighty grants rest to the souls of the two senior citizens whose wisdom and fatherly counsel will certainly be missed by the current crop of leaders in the country.
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Benue mourns as Tor Tiv dies at 71
The Tiv ethnic nationality in Benue State have lost their traditional leader, the Tor Tiv, Sir Alfred Torkula.
He was 71.
Benue State, particularly the Tiv ethnic nationality, has been mourning the frontline monarch, who died on Monday.
The late Torkula was the Chairman of Benue State Traditional Council and the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation.
He was installed the fourth Tor Tiv in April 1991.
The monarch died in a private hospital in Gboko, the traditional seat of his throne.
Governor Samuel Ortom confirmed the passing away of the Tor Tiv yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital.
The governor said he had paid his condolences to the deceased’s family.
He said members of the Tiv Traditional Council were on their way to the Government House for proper briefing and the handover of the staff of office, which was held by the former king.
Ortom said details of the burial plans would be announced later.
The late Tor Tiv was also the Pro-Chancellor of the Michael Okpara University at Umudike in Abia State.
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Paramount ruler of Tivland dies at 71
The Paramount Ruler of Tivland, the Tor Tiv, Alfred Akawe Torkula, is dead.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the monarch died at a private hospital in Gboko, Benue, on Monday.
He was 71.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom , who confirmed the monarch’s death to NAN on Tuesday, said he had already paid his condolences to the deceased’s family.
The governor said members of the Tiv Traditonal Council were on their way to the Government House for proper briefing and the handover of the staff of office, which was previously held by the late monarch.