…..Presents him to Oba of Lagos
The Paramount Ruler of the Tiv nation, His Royal Majesty, Prof James Ayatse has officially presented Engr Theophilus Ukaa as the President of Mdzough u Tiv, Lagos State Chapter to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Rilwan Akiolu.
The Begha u Tiv who was in Lagos State to grace the 2024 Tiv Day and Cultural Festival while presenting Engr Ukaha to the Oba, sued for due recognition of the Tiv people by making provision for them in the Lagos traditional council to enable them contribute meaningfully for peaceful coexistence and the development of the Lagos domain.
He stated that the Tiv people were among the early settlers in Lagos and remained the second in population after the Ibo ethnic nationality who have been contributing to the social, economic and political development of Lagos State.
According to him, the Tiv people are administratively and academically prepared for both appointments and elections in the area and called for their full integration.
Tor Tiv said, “I bring you blessings from all the people of the Tiv Kingdom in Nigeria and beyond numbering over twenty million in population. First of all, let me thank you and your Council and the Lagos State Government for your love for my subjects in Lagos State, in a very special way for providing a peaceful enabling environment for my people to live and prosper. They have not complained to me about any kind of molestation. So I have come to appreciate you and the state government and to further consolidate the mutual solidarity and harmonious coexistence. I assure you of their commitment to be law abiding and willingness to contribute positively to the economic and political development of Lagos State.
“It will be appreciated if your council and the Lagos State Government also consider and involve them in the sharing of available opportunities in the state especially because of their large population and commitment to the development of Lagos”.
“There have been some kind of internal wrangling among my subjects but I have finally resolved it and hereby present my son, Engr Theophilus Terkura Ukaa as the President of Mdzough u Tiv, Lagos State Chapter to you. He is the one the Tiv Area Traditional Council, which I preside over as the paramount ruler has affirmed as the legitimate President of the social cultural organization of the Tiv people, the Mdzough u Tiv, which is a creation of the Tiv Traditional Council”
Acoording to the release from Freddie Adamgbe, Special Assistant to Tor Tiv on Media and ICT, the Begha u Tiv also appealed to the Oba and Lagos State Government to review the demolition of some NKST churches in the city with valid land documents with the view of paying the appropriate compensation as well as allocation of new lands to them for the construction of new churches.
He charged Tiv people in Lagos to sustain their loyalty to the throne of the Oba and the constituted authorities in Lagos by admonishing them to embrace total unity and love amongst themselves in order to get the best the city of Lagos could offer.
“There are plenty opportunities in Lagos, which, if you unite as a people you can benefit like other nationalities. Forget your differences and unite only by so doing you can receive the blessings of the Oba and the blessings of God and our ancestors”, the Begha u Tiv stated.
He lauded the fatherly roles played by two elder Statesmen : Chiefs Raymond Ihyembe and Engr Sylvanus Gasarah, who, tirelessly committed their moral, financial and physical support to the peace and unity of Tiv people in Lagos and urged them to sustain their good counsel to the new leadership of Mdzough u Tiv in Lagos.
The Oba of Lagos through the Obanikoro of Lagos, High Chief Adesoji Ajayibembe appreciated the visit by the Tor Tiv, saying that he cherishes the loyalty of Tiv people in his domain and promised to continue with his love for Tor Tiv’s people.
In his remarks, Engr Ukaa expressed his determination to reunite the Tiv people in order to build a prosperous community in Lagos irrespective of challenges and solicited the support and cooperation of all.
The President pledged to evolve strategies that will promote Tiv businesses as well as create employment, market products, promote Tiv cultural values especially the teaching and learning of Tiv language.
He particularly lauded Engr Sylvanus Gasarah for the consistent financial support to the Tiv people even as he commended the the Oba of Lagos and the entire Yoruba and Lagos State government for their love on the Tiv people.
The Begha u Tiv who was in Lagos State to grace the 2024 Tiv Day and Cultural Festival, organized by the Lagos State Chapter of Mdzough u Tiv, was received by the Oba at his palace with his full council.
