Jubilation galore as Tor-Tiv turns 70

Despite the monarch’s insistence to stoop low on his diamond jubilee after he had humbly observed a devotional prayer with his household in the inner chambers of his palace at Gboko in Benue State to appreciate God’s faithfulness over the past years, his immediate family and sons of the kingdom thought it was more appropriate […]

Despite the monarch’s insistence to stoop low on his diamond jubilee after he had humbly observed a devotional prayer with his household in the inner chambers of his palace at Gboko in Benue State to appreciate God’s faithfulness over the past years, his immediate family and sons of the kingdom thought it was more appropriate to organize a quiet reception in his honour.
And so, a children’s party was held for inmates of the NKST Christian Orphanage Home in Mkar, Gboko at the king’s palace on Saturday preceding the Sunday, July 13 fixed for the low key celebration which turned out to be a carnival of some sorts as the roll-call of people who mattered in the state turned out for the event.
On that day, the orphans had a fun-filled spree such as dancing, singing and sharing of different types of palatable delicacies as well as gifts so much so that the obviously elated Director of the orphanage, Rev. E. Chafa described the experience as the first of its kind by a royal father in Tivland.
By the next day, the anxious crowd first trooped in and within hours, the hall of the St. John the Baptist Cathedral, venue of the Holy mass celebration by Bishop of Kastina-Ala diocese, Most Rev. Peter Adoboh was filled to brim despite the church service was held as early as 8am.
Needless to say, that it was the gathering of crème de la crème of the society as governor of the state, Dr. Gabriel Suswam and his wife, Yemisi led other top government officials to include the state’s deputy governor, Chief Steven Lawani, Supervising minister of Aviation, Chief Samuel Ortom and Senator Barnabas Gemade among others to thank God for the monarch.
Although the intention to mark the birthday in a low key was meant to respect the souls of departed subjects of the land who died during the recent Fulani/farmers crisis in the state, it however turned to become more of a political get-together and a representation of the good people of the Tiv race.
In reality, the low-keyed reception held at the Tor-Tiv’s palace after the church thanksgiving service was quite a manifestation of the larger-than-life support the royal father has amassed since his ascendancy to the revered stool 23 years ago and becoming the chairman of Benue State Council of Chiefs as well as president of Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC).
Besides, admirers and well wishers who were present to show their loyalty and solidarity with the monarch for his kind hearted disposition since assumption of throne, there were in attendance the Long Goemai of Shendam, HRH, Miskom Sheldas II, Managing Director of Nexim Bank, Mr. Robert Orya and representative of the Ochi’ Idoma, Professor Elias Obekpa among politicians, captains of industries whose presence added glamour to the occasion.
 The governor in his speech lauded the achievements of the Tor-Tiv and charged the Tiv people to sustain their loyalty to the foremost traditional stool of the land. He also used the occasion to warn 2015 political aspirants to desist from violence or face the wrath of the law as his administration would not tolerate any attempt to drag the state into another orgy of violence after the recent bloodbath occasioned by the herdsmen invasion.
Suswam who listed the royal father’s achievements within his period of ascension to the throne to consist of the creation of 14 second class stools in the 14 Tiv dominated local government areas, proposed creation of six additional first class stools and 60 third class stools in the TATC and introduction of the use of beads for traditional rulers in Tiv land prayed to God to continue to guide the Tor-Tiv.
According to him, the versatile monarch of international repute who translated an English play entitled, “Two to Tango by Harry Ugwu to French in his Masters in French thesis from the University of Calabar also introduced honourific chieftaincy title in Tivland among other various positive reforms.
While responding to the honour done him shortly afterwards, the visibly elated Tor-Tiv took a cursory look at the ugly event in his domain in recent times and said he could not have afforded to throw a big birthday bash at a period when the Tiv people in Nasarawa, Benue and Taraba states witnessed severe attacks by people masquerading as Fulani herdsmen to destroy lives and properties.
Consequent upon which, the paramount ruler vowed not to concede an inch of Tiv land for the proposed federal government’s grazing reserves just as he urged the federal government to encourage herdsmen to embrace modern methods of rearing cattle as practiced in many countries across the globe.
The monarch, a reputed author of more than six books which includes; Death and Burial Custom of the Tiv People of Central Nigeria, The Cosmology in Tiv Worldview, The Tiv Woman, (Challenges and Prospect), Presidential Democracy in Nigeria: Grassroot Experience to mention only a few sees the honour done him as the hand of God because as he puts it, it was God who gave him grace to push to the present state of success.
The ecstatic monarch further expressed gratitude to God and his people who for the recognition of his attainment to the enviable age had traveled from far and near to identify with him, his wife, Mimi and entire family.
At the reception, dancers and folk tale singers thrilled the audience with their sonorous voices as they recalled the human face leadership introduced to the throne by the revered monarch who is the first Tor-Tiv to reject the Turban and Alkiba which are the traditional regalia of emirs.
Sunday Trust gathered that the Orchivirigh, Torkula IV had in place of the northern rulers regalia adopted the use of ancestral traditional regalia of tiger skin cap and beads popular among kings of Bantu origin where the Tivs’ linked their ancestry.
Highlight of the occasion was the cutting of the 70th birthday cake by the chief celebrant, His Royal Majesty, Torkula and his amiable wife, Helen Mimi accompanied by Governor Suswam and his wife as popular Nigerian musician and proud son of Tiv nation, Zakki Adzay tickled the congregation to his spectacular music.
Without a doubt, the Tor-Tiv born on July 10, 1944 in what is today known as Mbadwem district of Guma local government area of Benue State had a remarkable merriment last Sunday which he would relish for a long time if compared to other many celebrations he had witnessed such as when he was at various times appointed commissioners and other juicy positions held before taking the mantle of the traditional stool.