In a significant cultural ceremony that focuses on the rare qualities of honour, service and solidarity with the Tiv Nation, the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC) is set to bestow prestigious honorific chieftaincy titles on distinguished Nigerians today, Saturday, December 13. The event, which holds deep traditional and symbolic value, is being presided over by the Chairman of the Council, His Royal Majesty, Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Ayatse, CFR, the Tor Tiv and President of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The conferment recognises individuals whose contributions, influence and goodwill have had meaningful impact on the Tiv people and the larger Nigerian society. Those to be honoured are as follows:
1. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State – Asôrtar U Tiv
2. Sen George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) – Taghertagher-Wan-U-Tiv
3. Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman All Progressives Congress (APC) – Zegebar-U-Tiv
4. Barr. Emmanuel Jime, Makurdi, Shagbawan-U-Tiv, wife, Asôrya-U-Shagbawan-U-Tiv
5. Prof. Eugene Tarkende Aliegba, Ibughashe-I-Tiv, wife, Mfe-U-Ibughashe-I-Tiv
6. Dr. Terungwa Stephen Hwande, Guma, Jime Nor -I -Tiv, wife Kpande-U-Jime Nor-I-Tiv
7. Sen Gabriel Torwua Suswam, Logo, Vande-U-Tiv, wife, Atse-A-Vande-U-Tiv
8. HE Sen Godswill Obot Akpabio, President of the Senate, Zege-Ikyar-I-Tiv (Great friend of the Tiv Nation), wife, Mdoom-Ma-Zege-Ikyar-I-Tiv (Goodness of the Great friend of the Tiv Nation)
9. Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker House of Representatives, Angwe-U-Tiv (Loud Supporter of the Tiv Nation), wife, Ikyenge-I-Angwe-U-Tiv (Voice of the Loud Supporter of the Tiv Nation)
The ceremony is expected to draw traditional rulers, political leaders, cultural stakeholders and well-wishers from across the country, further reinforcing the place of tradition as a unifying force in modern governance. Taking place at the JS Tarka Stadium in Gboko, the conferment goes beyond the bestowal of titles, standing as a reaffirmation of the Tiv people’s values of honour, gratitude and collective progress, while strengthening enduring bonds between the Tiv Nation and its friends within and outside Benue State.
