The newly installed Tor Tiv of Tiv land, Orchivirigh Professor James Ortese Ayatse, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari what have Tiv people done that his government refused to appoint any of them to positions.
He said:”the Tiv people, who are the fourth largest ethnic group in the country, are not represented at the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Tiv man has not been appointed Chief Executive Officer of any federal parastatal in the current dispensation. We believe God will help you to correct this marginalization.”
Professor Ayatse, who adopted a title: His Royal Majesty, Begha U Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof Ortese Iorzua James Ayatse and was inaugurated today, Saturday by Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom in Gboko, at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka Stadium, said that Benue state is central to the federal government’s economic diversification programme.
He said the Tiv people gave their overwhelming support during the electioneering campaign of President Buhari, and wondered why they are being treated shabbily after the elections.
”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.”
The new Tor Tiv commended the diversification program of the federal government that is tied to agriculture, saying that the people have comparative advantage owing their agrarian economy. He appealed to the federal government to involve the Tiv people in its empowerment schemes to facilitate provision of agricultural inputs and enhance skills.
He said such measures would enhance food sufficiency and prevent food crises in the country.
Acting President Osinbajo, represented by the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, promised to present the demands of the Tor Tiv to the president.
He advised the Tiv people to learn to live together with Fulani herdsmen, with whom, they had lived together for ages.
Governor Ortom lamented the security challenges that are confronting the state, even as he said that measures have been adopted to curtail the challenges. He reiterated his earlier resolve to create ranches which he said is the solution to the perennial crises between farmers and herdsmen.
The ceremony was witnessed by many dignitaries, including Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives,Yakubu Dogara, former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, the governors of Imo, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger, Taraba, Plateau, Kano and Kogi states. [myad]
