...IS ADULTERY LAWFUL IN TIV LAND?

It has taken me more than a decade to make up my mind on writing this article, knowing the passion it is likely to generate, no thanks to the sensitive nature of the topic. At a point, I even played with the idea of not doing any public write up on the subject matter. 

However, the sheer ferocity and consistency of the misinformation being peddled around and the risk of not standing up against this deliberate falsehood against my clan (and vicariously, perhaps, against me) while I am yet alive and the greater risk of going to join my Creator at His appointed time without countering this public lie have all made me damn the consequences and send this article for publication.

It all started in 1987 in a criminal complaint of adultery, in the case of Tofi vs. Uba (1987) 3 NWLR (Pt. 62) 707 C.A. In this case, the appellant had filed a private criminal prosecution for adultery against the 1st respondent in the Magistrate’s Court, contrary to section 387 of the Penal Code. 

It must be noted that under this penal provision, a man can only be guilty of adultery if he is “subject to any native law or custom in which extra-marital sexual intercourse is recognised as a criminal offence.” This provision was one of the compromise provisions of the Penal Code at the time of its enactment, which balanced Sharia law with native law and custom, as both religions or customs held sway in the then Northern Nigeria.

When the charge against the 1st respondent came up, his counsel raised objection that the charge did not disclose any offence known to law, contrary to section 33(12) of the 1979 Constitution – the equivalent of section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. 

At that relevant time, the Local Government (Declaration of Tiv Customary Marriage) Order, 1985 was in force; and section 25(1)(f) thereof provided that “any person who detained a wife duly married under this Declaration for any reason or purposes whatsoever against the wish of the husband”  was guilty of an offence.

In view of this, the learned trial Magistrate dismissed the objection and called upon the 1st respondent to take his plea. Rather than do so, he applied to the High Court for judicial review, pursuant to section 33(12) of the 1979 Constitution. 

The High Court granted his reliefs and quashed the charge. The appellant’s appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed on rather technical grounds. That Court held that since the Local Government (Declaration of Tiv Customary Marriage) Order, 1985, did not prohibit adultery in express terms but merely criminalised wrongful detention of a married woman against her husband’s wish, section 33(12) of the 1979 Constitution was rightly invoked by the 1st respondent; because this meant adultery per se was not a crime in Tiv land. The Court of Appeal also rejected the need for oral evidence to be called.

It was this judgment that laid the unfortunate foundation for the scandalous, ever-blossoming and tendentious falsehood that adultery in lawful in Tiv land. This barefaced lie is even widened to include a very silly assertion that ‘when you visit a Tiv man, he will offer you his wife’! 

What a monstrous and pith-of-hell assertion! Not even domestic or wild animals tolerate strangers or lesser males going near their female partners (and not even wives); talk more of the naturally well and strongly-built (chemistry-wise) and ultra-proud Tiv man!

Before I proceed further, I wish to submit that in the whole of Southern Nigeria, adultery remains a moral offence as opposed to a criminal offence. So, are we on this basis alone going to say adultery is not a criminal offence or is lawful in Southern Nigeria? I think not, with due respect.

In my mental agony of trying to repel this rapaciously-growing corporate lie against my clan (and vicariously against me), I dug deep into some fork lore and traditional songs. Two songs readily came to my mind.The first is this: “Aberanyi, ikurche, or van nya kpa ka gbidi nan; Ikurche, Terem O, or van nya ta abeda icul.” This, translated, means: “Aberanyi, let me give you information (ikurche”), even a visitor can be beaten; more information (“ikurche”) my dear father, your visitor tied your wife’s wrapper.” 

This is a clear indication that while Aberanyi the father was not around, the visitor misbehaved with the wife and there was need to teach the visitor the lesson of his life!

The second song goes thus: “Baba o-o, Baba u yem ke zende yo, or nyor sha yough i Aya la, or yav sha gambe u Aya; Aya ka a daa or; or a daa Aya, cho i gba ga Aya yav gadeaa, kwaghbo.” Everybody knows the meaning of “Baba.” 

The interpretation, therefore is thus: Father, while you travelled, a stranger entered into your elder wife’s (Aya’s) hut, sat on her bed and the two of them started pushing each other until after a while, Aya, the old women lay weak; it is an abomination (kwaghbo). Of course, the consequence of such kwaghbo or abomination could only be imagined!

My findings and views above were recently confirmed by no other person than the Tor Tiv, HRM Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, the paramount traditional ruler of the Tiv worldwide, in his book, The Tiv Woman: Challenges and Prospects, published by the Aboki Publishers in 2009, the foreword of which was written by no less a personality than HE Rt. Hon. Gabriel Suswam, the Executive Governor of Benue State, himself a Tiv. 

Writing in his capacity as the chief custodian of Tiv cultural values, HRM submitted on pages 21-22, under the banner FIDELITY, as follows:

“The challenges of the pre-colonial Tiv woman were enormous. She had to be faithful to her husband at all times. Like the Idoma of Central Nigeria who dragged their wives before alekwu for adulterous confession, as reported by Shishima (2008), the pre-colonial Tiv woman faced the same situation … married women were subjected to periodic concoction-drinking rituals to determine their fidelity in marriage … 

It was an exercise in morality which brought honour, respect and good reputation to the husband on one hand and the parents of the woman on the other. Any adulterous woman who dared to drink the concoction risked instant death if relevant deities were not appeased or propitiated.”

And concluding on the effect of Christianity on the moral life of the Tiv woman, HRM summed up on page 41 of the book as follows:

“No less obedient to her husband, educated, feminine in structure, comely in looks, stately in gait, and faithful among other equals, more than any woman in Nigeria, the Tiv woman today yearns and aspires for the best that is available for the womenfolk…. Through evangelisation, her belief in tsav and akombo (wizardry) has been replaced by the Christian Biblical teaching of the Almighty God … The Christian God has become central in the belief system of the Tiv people as a whole.”

What a truism! If over 95 per cent (by my estimation) of Tiv people are Christians, where then is the place for adultery?

My research has further shown me that a man reacts angrily, call it fatally, to infidelity of his wife or partner. The Tiv man is not an exception. Two recently reported cases will support this. In Sugh vs. State (1988) 2 NWLR (Pt. 77) 475 S.C., the appellant, a Tiv man, murdered in broad daylight a foreigner for flirting with his Philippine girlfriend in Makurdi, Benue State. He was sentenced to death, which sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court. 

More recently, the Court of Appeal confirmed the death sentence of another Tiv man in far away Osun State, who had murdered a native of that State for flirting with his wife. This was in the case of Ahungur vs. State (2012) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1313) 187 C.A.   Admittedly, every society has deviants, sinners and immoral persons. 

Tiv land cannot be an exception till our Lord returns in His Glory to take His saints to heaven. But I oppose the lie growing like wildfire that adultery is lawful or even tolerated in Tiv land. This is an intolerable lie. It must die a natural death. Now! God bless the Tiv nation.

Hon SAN, is an Abuja-based lawyer

In a press statement released less than an hour ago, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Sir Tersoo Kula announces the names of the brand new commissioners and special assistants nominees.

A post on the CPS's official Facebook page reads;

The Benue State House of Assembly has just made known the list of Commissioner nominees earlier sent to them by His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

Furthermore, in order to enhance speedy service delivery and the government to move on full throttle,  His Excellency has also approved the following names for Special Advisers and some Senior Special Assistants designated.

Theses include; 

COMMISSIONER NOMINEES

1. Joyce Luga - Gboko

2. Hon. Barr. Omale Omale - Apa

3. Hon. Dr. Yanmar M. Ortese  - Guma

4. Rev. Dr. Frederick Ikyaan - Gwer-West

5. Hon. Ugwu Odoh -  Ogbadibo

6. Hon. Kwaghba Amande -  Katsina-Ala

7. Matthew Aboh - Ukum

8. Hon. Tiza -  Imojime Buruku

9. Hon. Aondowase Kunde  - Konshisha

10. Hon. Prof. Jonah Ogbaji  - Oju

11. Barr. Martin Shaager -  Ushongo

12. Hon. Michael Oglegba  - Otukpo

13. Hon. Ann Itodo -  Okpokwu

14. Hon. Barr. Fidelis Mnyim -  Makurdi

SPECIAL ADVISERS

SENIOR SPECIAL ADVISERS

S/N NAME PORTFOLIO 

1. Arc. Eric Adikwu 

2. Hon. Alex Adingi 

3. Dr. Kaalu Akerkpev  

4. Barr. Terngu Gwanger 

5. Hon. Mercy Nyamkyume 

6. Dr. Aondona Mkor 

7. Chief Hon. Joe Har 

8. Hon. Denis Akura 

9. Hon. Benedict Akombo  

10. Hon. Fidelis Unongo 

11. Hon. Iyoo Gbondo 

12. Prince Ugese Orshi

13. Hon. Sam Yua 

14. Hon. Mark Ochoga 

15. Hon. Peter Ogilagwu 

16. Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Elaigwu 

17. Scholastica T. Awuhe Ben-Sor  

SPECIAL ASSISTANTS (SAs)

1. Hon. Simeon Yongo  

2. Hon. Julie Obeta 

3. Hon. Jonathan Lahave  

4. Idris Ojigbiri 

5. Hon. Zipporah Adzege 

6. David Sixtus Agbanyi  

7. Mr. Michael Mfater Kaha (El-Stuffy 

8. Hon. Sunday Shizum  

9. Hon. Dennis Umbur 

10. Harris Tersoo 

11. Linda Ene Agada 

12. Dorcas Faerem  

13. Member Achihi Dekera 

14. Chief Isaac Edo Onwu 

15. Akaa Manasseh  

16.   Ordue Uyoo

17. Tertseagh Afere  

18. Apeku Marshall  

19. Richard Dzugweve  

20. Hon. Christiana Sana 

21. Hon. Stone Eje Eyikwaje 

22. Paul Vershima Ishom 

23. Sunday Ekas 

24. Francis S. Emeor 

***Additional names of advisers shall be  announced in due course.

Sir Tersoo Kula

Chief Press Secretary.

For the past few days, a leaked audio has been flying around the airwaves of Benue social media said to have been the voice of one Mr. Moses Ternenge, who in the recording, is clearly aggrieved with Kunav people and also claimed he was pivotal in making H.E. Rev. Fr. Alia the Governor of Benue State. 

Summary of his claims according to the recording are as follows; 

- He drinks tea and plays with the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

- That Our Senator Akume, the present SGF to the Federation is not his boss but a friend. 

- He made Aondona Dajoh speaker of Benue State House of Assembly.

- That the President of the Industrial court is in his debt for once saving him from a crisis. 

- He can build a house like that of H.E. Fr. Alia in ONE DAY

- He can mobilise 100 trucks of soldiers from Abuja to Benue state with just a phone call. 

- He has warned the Governor's kinsmen, Kunav people to be careful.

- The Chief judge of Benue is under him.

- He has been helping Kunav people before H.E. Alia became Governor of Benue State 

- He made H.E. Fr. Alia Governor of Benue State.

In response, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, last night released a Press Statement titled "LEAKED AUDIO: GOVERNOR ALIA DESERVES BETTER" dated Saturday, July 29th, 2023 to counter Mr. Moses Ternenge.

Find the verbatim Press Release below.

This is to clarify some misrepresentations, insinuations and skewed commentaries making the rounds in the media as it borders on the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

We have carefully listened to a certain leaked voice recording making the rounds which has unfortunately served as the basis for the distortions and wish to hereby state as follows:

1. That Mr. Moses Ternenge is neither an aide nor appointee of the Alia led administration. He is an indigene of the state and APC party man just like any other person that may be seen around the Governor.

2. Moses Ternenge has never been appointed by His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Alia, officially or unofficially to represent or negotiate anything, anywhere for any purpose whatsoever on behalf of the Governor or the state.

3. That as an adult that he is, Moses Ternenge is responsible for any action he takes. Such actions and utterances are not a representation of the principles and vision of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

4. That Mr. Moses Ternenge, like any other citizen is free to share in the vision or principles of the Reverend gentleman governing Benue State. Where he chooses to go differently, he should be criticised or assessed based on what he represents or stands for. But pretentiously painting a picture that he is an aide and represents His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Alia is most preposterous and repulsive.

5. That Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has come with a very clear vision, and a fecund package to reposition Benue and restore her lost glories.

6. That he has already started on a sound note. He is fiercely focused about the prospect of a New Benue.  Genuine lovers of the state have already started pointing out positive signals that a "Benue of Our Dreams" will soon be here. 

Therefore, the outbursts of Mr. Moses should not mislead neither the opposition or all the teaming supporters of His Excellency into believing that he has derailed as he has a well Marshalled programme for the overall development of the state.

His Excellency deserves better.

Sir Tersoo Kula, 

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State.

Share your thoughts in the comment section below 

Early today, a list of 28 nominee ministers by President Tinubu was submitted to the senate today, and read to the hearing of all by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to discuss modalities.

What is your take that the Former Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike made the list. Let's hear you in the comment section.

See full list of the nominees sent by the president to the Senate. We are told that this is not the complete list.

Abubakar Momoh

Yususf Maitama Tukur

Ahmad Dangiwa

Hannatu Musawa

Uche Nnaji

Betta Edu

Dr. Doris Anite Uzoka

David Umahi

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike

Muhammed Badaru Abubakar

Nasir El Rufai

Ekerikpe Ekp[o

Nkiru Onyejiocha

Olubunmi –

Stella Okotete

Uju KEnedy Ohaneye

Bello Muhammad Goronyo

Dele Alake

Lateef Fagbemi

Mohammad Idris

Olawale Edun

Waheed Adebanwo

Emman Suleman Ibrahim

Prof Ali Pate

Prof Joseph Usev

Abubakar Kyari

John Enoh

Sani Abubakar Danladi

It is no doubt that anywhere a Tiv youth who is serious with their lives, shows a clear difference anywhere he/she finds themselves. Tiv youth are known to be intelligent and is always evident when they lock horns with their fellow students from other tribes.

Today we are going to share with you some Tiv students who have graduated recently with first class degrees in their various fields of studies.

They need to be celebrated, given good jobs to put their education into use, or assisted to further their studies, which will encourage them and others. Especially our lazy ones who have formed a retrogressive motto that "school na scam".

Benedicta Kura

First on the list is this beautiful girl named Benedicta Kura who hails from Gboko Local Government of Benue State. 

She graduated with first class honours in Accounting at Federal University of Wukari, Taraba State, and consequently did her NYSC in Rivers State University. Sadly, she hasn't been lucky enough to get a job.

According to a post on Ukan Kurugh's official Facebook page, Benedicta's mum is a widow. He also wrote that "I am using this medium to solicit your various  good will for her, so she can get something doing with her life and probably go back to school again." 

Benedicta wants to further her education by registering for ICAN but lacks the money/resources to do that at the moment. 

Benedicta can be reached easily through Ukan Kurugh on 08069082285.

Pictures below.

Msonter Victor Orlu

Second on the list is Msonter Victor Orlu, 26 years old and hails from  Vandeikya Local Government of Benue state. 

He studied and came out with a first class degree in Micro Biology from the prestigious Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (Formerly known as  University of Agriculture Makurdi) 

Msonter can be reached on his phone number 08148624687.

See his picture and a scanned copy of his result below...

Tile Tersoo John

Tile Tersoo John hails from Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.

He studied Civil Engineering and graduated with a first class degree also at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) 2023.

Tile Tersoo can be reached via the following phone numbers 08138118859, 08074746898

See pictures and statement of result below.

Tivdzua Noah Lubem

Tivdzua Lubem Noah is 26 years old and hails from Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State of Benue State.

He just graduated with a First Class in Civil Engineering at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM) 

This intelligent young man can be reached via his phone numbers 08063015781, 07052463576

Education can never be over rated, we should do everything to encourage our brothers and sisters who are willing, intellectually, physically and mentally to get education as it a key to success and a great impact on the way being of humanity.

We pray that this article may reach the right people and our First class brothers and sisters will get the necessary help going forward.

Proudly Tiv

Please share your thoughts in the comment section 

Written by Iorliam'Amo Shija, and titled titled  "Challenges of the Man who stood alone, Akor the First Tiv Catholic Priest"

Read details below.

On 15th December, 1990, during his funeral, Very Rev. Fr Alfred A. Ashe who then was the parish priest of St Ann's church Adikpo, broke down and cried uncontrollably. He was not the only priest at the funeral of the man who at a point in his troubled life on earth, stood alone. Some of the other priests at the funeral were Very Rev. Frs. Simon Ivever, who offered the homily, Dominic Yuhe, Stephen Beba, Nicholas Tarbo and Moses Orhungur. 

This man was the first to be ordained as a Catholic priest amongst his people, the Tiv people of Central Nigeria. Although Catholic priests do not marry, that day during his funeral, it were not only his "brother" priests that stood by his graveside, but a bereaved wife and five sons! Why so? 

As recent as 1969 when Eugene Rubingh published his landmark book, ‘Sons of Tiv: A study of the rise of the Church among the Tiv of Central Nigeria,’ he made a veiled reference to the near impossibility of the Roman Catholic Church making inroads and growth in Tivland due to a lack of the availability of human resources in the church’s clerical state. 

According to Rubingh, becoming a Catholic priest was akin to the proverbial camel passing through the eye of a needle. He hinged his assertion on the long duration of training, and the fact that the Catholic Church requires its priests to embrace the vow of celibacy. In the Tiv traditional context where marriage and children are valued, this was a ‘strange teaching.’ 

But Rubingh referred to one priest of the Tiv stock who was about to complete his studies in Rome and present himself for ordination. He failed to see a second group of young Tiv men who were also close to completing their training to the priesthood for the Diocese of Makurdi, who were then studying in the Nigerian cities of Enugu and Jos. 

The latter group, would be the famous seven sons of Tiv who were ordained as priests on 19th December, 1971. They were Frs. Athanasius Usuh, Benjamin Adzor, Moses Adasu, Steven Beba, Simon Ivever, Edward Maaer and Dominic Yuhe. 

With hindsight, Rubingh’s postulation has been flawed. The phenomenal growth of the Catholic Church in Tivland in the last 60 years – both in terms of population, structures and clergy - is the antithesis to Rubingh’s conclusions. 

The man Rubingh referred to that was about to complete his studies in Rome was James Aerapera Akor, a man who later was ordained as the first Catholic priest for Makurdi Diocese and indeed, the first in this line in Tivland. The man at whose funeral Fr. Ashe broke down and cried, James Akor, was born in May 1938 at Mbanor-Gaav in present day Konsihisha LGA of Benue State to Akor-Ashikula (of the Mbaadogo lineage) and his wife Kese Akor-Ashikula. The last born in a family of six, James lost his father at a tender age and was brought up by an elder sister and her husband.

Returning back to his kindred around 1949, James is said to have fled home to Korinya where he found solace with the expatriate Irish Holy Ghost Fathers who were in charge of the mission in the town; the mission, St. Joseph was among the first Catholic missions in Tivland. He handled a lot of odd jobs for the mission. 

The story is told of how one day he was digging a well in the mission compound when one of the priests impressed with his physical prowess asked him what he would like to become in future. Without hesitation, James blurted, “a priest.” That was the moment the Holy Ghost missionaries decided to enroll James in school and carter for his education. 

Perhaps this was when he caught the eye of James Hagan, the burly English Holy Ghost missionary who was later to become the first bishop of Makurdi Diocese. At this time Hagan was the Prefect of Benue. 

The missionaries were not disappointed. At primary school in the RCM School in Korinya, James excelled in academics and sports. Upon graduating from primary school, he attended St. James Minor Seminary in Keffi from 1957 until 1962. He was admitted to Bigard Memorial Seminary Enugu, in 1963 until 1965. 

Hagan became the first bishop of the Diocese. He was appointed Bishop on 8th March 1960, having moved his episcopal seat from Otukpo to Makurdi. The diocese made a decision to move James Akor to Rome where he was expected to complete his training for the priesthood at the Pontifical Urbaniana University. 

While in Rome, he met and became friends with a fellow Nigerian classmate, John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, today the Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja. The friendship bound lasted a lifetime. While in Rome, James heard that Hagan had resigned as bishop due to ill-health. Together with his friend John Onaiyekan, they made the trip to Great Britain to visit the sick Hagan. 

The sick bishop famously referred to the two youngsters as “James and John, Sons of Nigeria,” in a in a lighthearted reference of Jesus’ nickname to James and John (‘Sons of Thunder’ see Mark 3:17) - two of His apostles who were brothers.

James Akor maintained a steady father-son relationship with Hagan. He felt a profound sense of loss when Hagan, a man he referred to as his spiritual father and mentor, died in 1976.

James Akor returned to Nigeria in 1969 to prepare for his ordination. While his bosom friend John Onaiyekan was ordained for Ilorin Diocese in August 1969, James was ordained the following year, on New Year’s Day at St. John’s Church in Gboko by Donald Joseph Murray, an Irish Holy Ghost missionary, who had replaced Hagan as bishop. Both Akor and Onaiyekan were the first indigenous priests of their dioceses.

James worked briefly in the diocese before returning to Rome to complete his licentiate and doctorate in Theology. This was when his ‘vocation crisis’ began. It appeared, whatever support he enjoyed from his diocese began to wane. This is gleaned from a recent book by one of the priests of the diocese.

In his book on his calling to the priesthood "Candle Wax," published this year, Very Rev. Dr. Patrick Alumuku who was ordained as a priest of Makurdi diocese in 1981, said James Akor shared with him the difficulties he James experienced and the challenges he faced when he returned from studies.

Alumuku said, ''Among the students I met at the University (of Jos) was a brother priest James Akor, the first indigenous priest from Tivland who had left the priesthood by then…As the first priest of the diocese of Makurdi, there were so many expectations of Fr. James Akor from the community. He had gone to Rome for ordination and completed a doctorate degree in Theology. Many had imagined he was going to be the first indigenous Bishop of Makurdi.''

According to Alumuku, ''There were occasions I had with him during which he shared with me the difficulties he experienced and the problems he had and the challenges he faced when he returned from studies. We discussed not only the misunderstanding that he went through but also especially the lack of comprehension with his brother priests the majority of whom were expatriate. 

Being the first indigenous priest, he was alone. He said nobody sought to understand his difficulties or positions on issues. That time he was seen as an outsider and he thought he had no chance of going forward. He decided that he would leave the priesthood…''

''Unfortunately, James was still undergoing this programme of the post graduate diploma in education when he got very ill. I had occasions of taking him to hospital from school, however, he did not get much better and James died. The death of James Akor brought a lot of sadness to me. Although he had been duly laicized from the priesthood, we still considered him very much a priest like any one of us,'' Alumuku has said in his recent book.

Canon law, the law regulating and directing activities of Catholics toward the mission of the Church, has set down clear procedures for laicization or leaving the priesthood (see Canon Law # 291ff). Laicization is a process which takes from a priest or other cleric the licit use of his powers, rights, and authority. 

With the loss of the clerical state goes the loss of the rights and obligations that are a part of a cleric's ministerial role. The process is initiated once a priest expresses a willingness to leave, or circumstances require that he is asked to leave.

The reaction to James Akor’s decision was volcanic, both within church circles and the larger community. In the larger community, there was largely ignorance on the fact that someone could leave the priesthood. 

The general view was that Divine Wrath would come down on such a person. When James took the decision to marry, varying degrees of sentiments were expressed to a perceived ‘embarrassment and scandal’ in some circles within the Church in Makurdi. Some priests took to the pulpit to express this sentiment.

With the courage of his conviction, James Akor weathered the storm and faced his new reality with optimism and determination. He got married in 1974 to Patricia Jigida Iyange, a lady from Mbaduku whose parents had settled in Korinya in the ‘60s. The lady was from a strict and deeply Catholic background, and had just finished her secondary education at Holy Rosary Girls School in Adoka. So, the initial resistance to this marriage was even from the family of his wife to be, given his clerical status.

Akor settled into civil and family life. The marriage bore him five sons. He named the first ‘Gwaza,’ meaning his fame (especially for leaving the priesthood), had gone far and wide. When the first son had health issues to his sight at his infancy; this was attributed by some that God had visited the family with His Wrath over the decision to leave the priesthood. Other children followed in quick succession: Terlumun, Iorfa, Msughter and Bundepuun.

Dispensation from his vow of celibacy took time in coming. Eventually it came formerly in writing from Pope Paul VI and later from Pope John Paul II.

He was joined in Holy Matrimony to his wife in 1985, witnessed by the church and the people at the same church, St John’s Gboko, where he was ordained as a priest, a few years ago.

James joined the civil service choosing the career path of education. He joined the teaching service of the recently established Federal Government Girls College of Gboko in 1975. He joined the Murtala College of Arts and Science in Makurdi (today’s CAPS). Between 1977 and 1981, he served as principal to Tofi Memorial Secondary School Gboko, Peoples Comprehensive Lessel, and Mbawuar Secondary School Ihugh. 

He moved to the Teaching Service Board Makurdi in 1981 and was later transferred as the Divisional Inspector of Education in Vandeikya in 1983, and finally to Government Secondary School Gboko.

James enrolled for a postgraduate programme in the University of Jos in 1987, this was when he met Fr. Alumuku. Unfortunately he could not complete the programme due to ill-health. When Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh was installed as the first indigenous bishop of the diocese in 1989, his friend John Onaiyekan who was now the bishop of Ilorin came for the celebration and decided to pay his sick friend a visit in Gboko.

It was an emotional visit. With James down with a stroke, he struggled to communicate with his friend. Onaiyekan prayed for and blessed his friend. His condition deteriorated in 1990 and he died on Thursday, 6th December 1990 at Mkar Christian Hospital, Gboko at the age of 52.

Saying the homily at his funeral, the late Very Rev. Fr. Simon Ivever said James Akor was one of the privileged few Catholics to receive all the seven Sacraments. This is because when one is ordained to the priesthood, this excludes him from the sacrament of marriage.

James Akor had many close friends among the first crop of indigenous clergy of his diocese, one who was Fr. Nicholas Tarbo. As mentioned by Fr. Patrick Alumuku in his book, although James had been duly laicized from the priesthood, they still considered him very much a priest like any one of them. Perhaps, over time, one day people will come to appreciate his personal decision and courage to leave the priesthood.

On a final note, I must commend one of Akor's sons who is the writer’s personal friend, for responding to my prodding questions about his father's past.

*Written in 2016 by Iorliam'Amo Shija 

Please share your thoughts in the comment section below

A PRESS RELEASE. Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia expresses regrets over the delay in payment of salaries of teachers in Primary and Secondary Schools, as well as the Local Government staff.

The governor says the decision for the delay in the payment of salaries of the above mentioned workers was taken after the government discovered mindless padding of the wage bill, and other fraudulent manipulations on their payroll. 

He says the decision became necessary after the discovery, to enable the government sanitize and cleanse the payroll; to ascertain the true wage bill of the state and to know the genuine workers that are worth their wages.

He reveals that the first phase of an extensive staff verification and payroll audit for all teachers and local government staff has just been concluded, and it has already uncovered over 2500 ghost workers that have already been removed  from the payroll.

He identifies ghost workers, ghost schools, double dipping, unlawful employment, salary padding, payment to dead or retired individuals, unlawful replacement, inflation of the wage bill, as some of the payroll infractions discovered from the audit.

He assures that, workers who were successfully screened will receive their salaries before the end of this week, noting that government is not only fishing out ghosts workers and removing the padding associated with payroll fraud, but also putting in measures to ensure the systems are protected going forward.

Sir Tersoo Kula

Chief Press Secretary to Governor of Benue State

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Benue State Governor His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia earlier today July 17, 2023 dissolved the Governing Council of the university with immediate effect and sets up a visitation panel.

The visitation panel which is made of of seven men are instructed to thoroughly audit the doings of the University for the past seven years starting 2016 to date, amongst other duties they are charged with.

It can be recalled that the last visitation panel to audit the Benue State University was in 2016.

The panel is charged with the responsibility to comprehensively investigate all activities at the institution within this period and submit a report to the Governor for necessary action(s).

Other terms of reference for the panel are contained in the letter conveying the decision of the Visitor.

The panel comstitute of Prof. Gabriel Moti as Chairman, and Barr. Simon Orkuma as the Secretary. Other members of the panel are, Prof. Christie Ejoka,  Igyeigye Peter, Prof. Kwaghkondo Agber, Prof. Okpe Okpe and Mr. Sam Yuhwa.

In a letter conveying the decision of the visitor and signed by the Secretary to the Government of Benue State, Prof. Joseph Alakali, the Panel was inaugurated today, Monday, 17th July 2023 at 8am in the Government House, Makurdi.

This statement was issued early today by the chief press secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Sir Tersoo Kula.

Many believe this is a smart decision in the right direction by the new administration of Gov. Alia to have a full picture of the University and reposition it for the betterment of the staff and students and to better the academic performance of the University.

After the post became public on Fr. Alia TV Network, a Facebook page which is current with the doings in the Government House Makurdi, many reactions followed by Benue people.

One Tsavnande Samuel write "A very recommendable step, I believe it'll now be even affordable to the poor masses."

Another, Amos Jev said "That's the best thing to do. Carry on the good work the Benue people are solidly behind all your actions so far! Alia Asor Tar"

"Benue State Polytechnic should be next on the line. The panel is long awaited for." Said another Facebook user, Ioremberd Emmanuel.

And many more hundreds of comments from Benue citizens approving the move by the new Governor.

Spoken language is a tool for communication among human beings. Language also forms an important part of our ethnic identity. The cultural heritage of any ethnic nationality is preserved in the language. 

The world has well over six thousand languages with Nigeria taking a big share of over 560 languages. Nigeria ranks after Indonesia (820) and Papua New Guinea (742) on the list of countries with the highest number of languages.

Nigerian Languages are now under serious threat of extinction because of the dominance of the so-called three major languages, Hausa, Ibo, and Yoruba. In Northern Nigeria, Hausa has so dominated that many languages are dying out. 

Six languages in Bauchi state have gone extinct because of Hausa language, Gamo-Ningi, Mawa, Shau, Lere, Ziriya, and Kubi. One website describes the situation in Bauchi this way: “If Hausa language continues to spread, it is estimated that very soon there will be less than 30 languages spoken in the state.” (that’s from a total of over 60 languages). 

Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1119300-list-languages-nigeria.... Hausa has destroyed other languages in other states too; Niger and Nasarawa states have lost Bassa-Gumna, while Jigawa has lost Teshenawa and Auyokama, Taraba has lost Kpati and Adamawa has lost Holma.

In the case of Tiv language, not only that the language is under threat from Hausa but the entire Tiv nation is under political threat from the Hausa/Fulani. Tiv people have always resisted enslavement by Hausa/Fulani since the time of Usman Dan Fodio. 

Today the battle has shifted to the Tiv language. Tiv lexicon is replete with Hausa words that are continuously eroding our Tiv culture and consciousness. The Jukun people will tell you that their language has changed a lot because of the heavy presence of Hausa words in it. The older generation speaks a different language to the one spoken by the younger generation.

Let it be known clearly that languages borrow from others to grow and develop especially when there are no existing words to express certain concepts. If there are no words to express a concept in Tiv, then it is right to borrow. We have borrowed these words from English Language: Mato (motor), Shuga (sugar), Televishen (Television), Radio (Radio), Tebul (Table), Pensel (Pencil), Shoja (Soldier), Mango (Mango), Zinki (Zink), Kii (Key), wisul (wistle), wiibaro (wheelbarrow), Bol (Ball). 

And it is absolutely fine to borrow words from Hausa that we can’t express in Tiv such as, Cinkafa (Rice), Alabusa (Onions), But it is not acceptable when three Tiv words for an item are replaced by one Hausa word. ‘Friend’ in Tiv has, ‘Huror, Ikyar, and Ijende’ but all these are replaced by the Hausa word, Aboki. In the same way spoon is known by three names in Tiv, ‘Ahwa, Bu, and Ikyehen’ but it’s now being replaced by one Hausa word ‘cokeli’.

When we learned Tiv language in the primary school we used, Rwamabera u hiihii and Rwamabera u sha uhar (‘First Book’ and ‘Second Book’). Therefore, ‘Book’ was called Rwamabera, but now it has been replaced by a Hausa word, Takerada. 

Tiv people love their King (Tor) and greet him with a blessing, ‘Aôndo A ver Tor’ (God bless the King/Chief). But this greeting has been replaced by a Hausa word Zaki, which means Lion. Some Tiv people are now referring to Christmas as ‘Salah’ which is a Hausa word for celebration. 

Other Tiv words that have been replaced by Hausa words are: anom (miji goro); gbande (tasa); zegemnger (tyeku); mshir (anula); orngeren (akawe/maga); bee ve (shikina); kpankpan -ka an wama? (gafera – shiga); ilyam (tadi); fele fele (maza maza); atejir (kenti); mimi (gaskiya); imyenger (pitila); Ornengen sha tembe (duba geri); dedoo (lafia); guda (sauki); yôôgera (makeranta); Orteenmngerem (mai ruwa); aeren (adini); kpei (kai); ortwer (likita) ibyume kwagh/or (banza); sha inja (sha wada); ka shami (tau); zar (kodai); uese/ishuul (chancha); zee, ga (ko); tar (dunia); and many others. Is this ordinary borrowing? Tiv language is fast disappearing and we have to do something about it.

Other people have cited the example of English language taking pidgin words from Nigeria. That is fine because English is not at risk of extinction. In fact there are more people speaking English outside of England the indigenous home of English language.

Tiv people need to ‘shine their eyes’ and resist the Hausa threat and enslavement. They should revive their language and stop Hausa invasion otherwise, other Nigerians will treat us as an appendage of Hausa. One website places the Tiv language 8th among Nigerian languages with only 2 million speakers and in two lines describes it as both a “major and at the same time minor language in Nigeria.”

Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1119300-list-languages-nigeria...

Tiv language is an international language spoken by over 15 million people both in Nigeria and Cameroon. So the Tiv people need to standardize their language and ensure that it is taught in our schools and registered for WEAC and NECO. 

I applaud the efforts of Mzoo u Tiv (MUT), under Engr. Ujege and the current Benue State Governor for their efforts to return Tiv to the classroom. Benue State University should support the effort of College of Education Katsina-Ala and start offering degree courses in Tiv. We have to bring ourselves to the Nigerian table otherwise no one is keen to invite us. 

The time has come for us to stop arguing about old spellings of words and be professional in standardizing our language. If you agree with this sentiments please share this message. And also consider joining Mzoo u Zwativ.

Fr. Tagesa Akpagher
President,
Tiv Language Studies and Development Association
tagesa@gmail.com

Yesterday, 14 July 2023, the atmosphere at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Daudu, Benue state was lit up by Benue Entertainers, Social media activists, Beauty queens, chefs, and restaurateurs in Benue state led by Benue state celebrity priest Rev. Fr. Solomon Ukeyima (Tor KSS) in what was termed 'COOK-A-THON FOR IDPs BENUE STATE'. 

The aim of the COOK-A-THON marathon for IDPs in Benue State was to feed the huge crowd of Benue citizens who for years have been sent away from their ancestral homes by the killer Fulani herdsmen. The huge crowd whose lives were turned upside down in swift by the marauding herders, turning them beggars and reliant on others for survival and daily bread were before now predominantly successful farmers who once filled the Benue basket with food, giving Benue her acronym 'Food basket of the Nigeria'. 

It was all joyous at the Daudu IDPs camp as Benue chefs had a marathon to cook and feed the IDPs. While they ate and drank, the IDPs were entertained by Benue entertainment bigwigs like Iornmen Solomon JP, A high-class Tiv traditional folk singer and president of the Association of Benue Entertainers (ABE), top comedian Kenneth Iornumbe aka Mbolo, Adoo Ugbaa aka Omo Benue, and a host of other entertainers. Benue Social media activists and humanitarians, like Ukan Kurugh, Krayzeetee Atu, Chef Asor Moses Tarvihi, and others were active at the event. 

The event also saw the presence of beauty queens, Queen Daisy Ephraim Terkaa, the Face of Tiv International 2022, Queen Kpadoo Upev, Benue Chubby Queen, and many other Benue dignitaries. 

Through the planning committee of the event, headed by Rev. Fr. Solomon Ukeyima, the convener of the famous Kyegh Sha Shwa (KSS) annual festival, and Mr. Ukeyima John, foodstuff, drinks, vehicles for transportation, and cash contributions poured in from well-meaning Benue sons and daughters to make the COOK-A-THON for IDPs in Benue State a success. 

Notable among donours were the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly Hon. Aondona Dajoh, Benue-born international footballer Moses Orkuma, President Association of Benue Entertainers (ABE) Chief Iornem Solomon JP, Benue Beauty Queens, Queen Daisy Ephraim FOTI, Queen Kpadoo Upev, and a host of many others.

We can recall that the COOK-A-THON trend became popular in Nigeria when chef Hilda Effiong Bassey aka Hilda Baci from Akwa Ibom, in May 2023 set out to break the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), Guinness Book of Records. The Benue COOK-A-THON for IDPs was different. In a post on his Facebook page, the secretary of the COOK-A-THON FOR IDPs Benue State, Mr. Ukeyima John UKmoni, while calling for contributions from well-meaning people for the marathon said, "The COOK-A-THON for IDPs in Benue State is not records purposes." Someone else said this marathon was to "break hunger" not records.

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are scattered across camps in Benue State for almost a decade and they have desired to survive and to go back to their ancestral homes as soon as possible. It is also a collective prayer of the people of goodwill in Benue that the present government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia (Ph.D.) fulfills its campaign promises of securely sending the IDPs safely back to their homes soon so that they can not only join the rest of the citizens of Benue to enjoy their freedom, but also return to their various farmlands and continue to contribute to the food basket of the nation, and the new Benue of renewed hope. 

Let me end this article by sending my best wishes to the chief planner of the Benue COOK-A-THON for IDPs, Rev. Fr. Solomon Mfa Ukeyima, who is celebrating his 47th birthday today, 15th July 2023. Padre, your works of goodwill and services to humanity in Benue State shall be written down on the sands of time for generations immemorial. May Heaven grant you health, wealth, longevity, and wisdom to continue to unite, strengthen, advise, encourage, and feed, where necessary, the people of Benue State and beyond. HAPPY BIRTHDAY FR. SOLOMON MFA.