From Rose Ejembi,
The Tor Tiv V, Ochivrigh Prof. James Ayatse has promised to take a bold step in addressing the incessant crises between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the state by encouraging the passage of the bill on ranching already before the State House of Assembly.
The Tor Tiv made this known yesterday during his coronation as the 5th Begha u Tiv held in Gboko local government Area, the traditional headquarters of the Tiv Nation.
While positing that the Tiv Area Traditional takes into consideration the traditional land system and practices, Ayatse maintained that the Tiv Traditional Council under his watch would provide the platforms and enlist all Tiv sons and daughters to participate actively in the efforts to restore, build and restructure the Tiv nation.
The Tiv Paramount ruler who also lamented that despite being the fourth largest ethnic group in the country, the Tiv people were not represented at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) called on the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to ensure the appointment of Tiv people in the next federal government appointments.
“As you take stock and make your next series of appointments, kindly be reminded that the Tiv Nation is not represented in FEC and have not benefitted from any appointment at the federal level. No Tiv man has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of any federal parastatal in the current dispensation. We believe God will help you to correct this marginalization.”
Stressing that the Tiv nation was central to the federal government’s vision of economic diversification which is tied to agriculture, the Tor Tiv said the Tiv nation had the potential as an agrarian economy and the Food Basket of the Nation to contribute immensely to food production in Nigeria.
In his speech, acting President Osinbajo who was represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, congratulated Ayatse on his elevation to the exalted stool and promised to convey the message of the Tiv nation through Ayatse for onward action.
In a remark, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, appealed to the Tiv people to live peacefully with their Fulani brothers, pointing out that the Tor Tiv occupy a very important position in Nigeria.
Sultan of Sokoto, HRM Saa’d Abubakar who lamented the wave of insecurity in the country expressed hope that the coronation of the new Tor Tiv would mark a new dawn for all to rally round him to move not only Tiv nation but Nigeria as a whole forward.
“The love between Fulani and Tiv should be rekindled. We will go extra miles to ensure there is peace between Fulani and Tiv. We had enough of shedding of innocent blood. We will bring out solution to solve problems of the people by bringing peace in our communities,” said the Sultan.
Also, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, corroborated Osinbajo’s position stating that the cries and concern of the Tiv nation would be addressed head on.
The Speaker, House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara called on the paramount ruler to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the Tiv nation, stressing that he had all it takes to address the challenges bedeviling his people.
The Chairman, Governors Forum, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara pledged the support of all the governors in order to wipe away the tears of the Tiv nation.
Presenting the staff of office to the paramount ruler, the state governor, Samuel Ortom described the new Tor Tiv as a virtue of selflessness, forthrightness and non partisanship with the willingness to work with the collective good of the state and Nigeria.
The governor who assured of his administration’s continued support and collaboration with the traditional institutions for the benefit of the citizens called on Nigerians to support the call for ranching as a lasting solution to the incessant farmers /herders clashes in the country.
“We believe that the new Tor Tiv will play a great role in leading us unto the path of hardwork, unity, honesty, Godliness and progress which we were known for in the past.” Ortom stated
Ortom who lamented that the state had in recent time been confronted with security challenges, especially the invasion of communities by herdsmen which often results in the killing of innocent people and destruction of property worth billion of Naira however appealed to the people of the State to avoid taking law into their hands but rather report security breaches to law enforcement agencies.
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