By our correspondent

The Taraba State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Comrade Mathew Eliud Jen has commended the leadership of the Echo Express publication for its consistency in the information dissemination business.

The Chairman made the commendation during a surprise visit to the office of the media outfit in Jalingo, the state capital.
He observed that despite the harsh economic environment, the paper is trying its best to reach some localities in the state and beyond through several platforms.

The Chairman pledged his support to the emergence of more media outlets in the state to meet the information needs of the people.
Comrade Mathew Jen who was in company of the publisher of Worldview Magazine, another private media organization, explained that the purpose of his visit was to encourage Echo Express to keep up the good works.

Responding, the Editor -in – Chief of Echo Express, Comrade Lynn Adda thanked the NUJ Chairman for the visit, describing it as historic in its over two years of existence.
He stressed that the initial plan of the medium was to focus its coverage on the Northeast but with the interest and support of colleagues across the country, it is currently extending its coverage beyond the zone. Comrade Lynn Adda promised to continue to give updated information on activities that are of interest and concern to the people including government activities. He commended the NUJ Chairman for his sustained efforts to improve the image of the Journalism profession in the state, assuring adequate coverage of the Union’s activities.

He used the forum to praise the Worldview Magazine publisher for his continued support and encouragement for the growth of Echo Express, describing him as a friend and brother.

In his remarks, the publisher of Worldview Magazine, Mr William Ayoosu lauded the NUJ Chairman for always standing by the members in the period of needs, especially on issues relating to the protection of the interest of Journalists.

He equally appreciated the level of partnership and bond existing between Worldview Magazine and Echo Express.

At the grand occasion held at the Federal Polytechnic Bali, the Taraba State Governor, His Excellency Doctor Agbu Kefas who was represented by the state. PDP Chairman Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, gave unending encomiums on the efforts of the Federal Lawmaker, who described as a public spirited individual that holds people in high esteem regardless of class or status.

He used the opportunity of the representation to charge other politicians in the state and even beyond to toe the steps of Honourable Ja’afaru Chiroma by beaming. smiles on the faces of electorates.

Earlier, Honurable Ja’afaru Yakubu Chiroma and his entourage, who received rousing welcome by an unprecedented crowd at the outskirts of Bali, told news-makers that 23 brand new ambulances, 23 Ultra scan machines, 60 branded vehicles, over 20 Highlander vehicles and several hospital beds, among other items, were provided to the various constituents.

The Federal Lawmaker later told Journalists that he was highly motivated by the level of suffering being encountered by people seeking for medical needs to provide the various medical succour. He also said the ruling People’s Democratic Party in the state needed great push in the area of transportation, hence the need he saw for supplying them with the assorted vehicles to boost mobility sufficiency in the party.

Goodwill messages poured out tremendously from the Special Guests at the occasion in the likes of Jeji William, the Chief of Staff, Government House Administration, Professor Josiah Sabo Kente, the Political Adviser to the Governor, Honourable. Veronica Alhassan, representing Bali 1 Constituency, the Honourable Commissioner of Health Doctor Bumah, the Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Dr Aisha Shehu Adamu and host of others.
Most of the speakers described the Federal Lawmaker as an excellent personality with virtues that can inspire trust, confidence and respect from constituents and colleagues alike.

By Williams Ayooso

The Harvest and Thanksgiving Service is an annual programme, of the Divine Solutions and Miracle Center Ministry, where members of the church make contributions from the proceeds of their farm products to build structures and strengthen the evangelical capacity of the church.

Chairman, Central Planning Committee of the 2025 Harvest Thanksgiving Central Planning Committee, Mr Atta Tordue, captured it succinctly when he told our reporter that the programme is the time for the church members to make commitments by bringing what they got from their farms to enable the church sell them and use the money to make some meaningful development.

The event, which took place on 9th March, 2025 at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Peva-Chanchanji, was attended by all Church branches of the Ministry.

Although the harvest and thanksgiving Service was described as a huge success, the chairman was more overwhelmed by the spiritual impact, including the healings and the miracles that manifested in the two-day programme. The CPC chairman also spoke in glowing terms about the personality that the Almighty God is using to touch the lives of people positively. He was talking about no other person than the leader of the Church, Dr. Stephen Saater Zwave, Bishop of Divine Solutions and Miracle Center Ministry.

“The leader of this Ministry is a man of God that has committed himself to God by serving Him faithfully. As you can see, most of the new generation churches preached only things that has to do with wealth in other to get money from their members. But in the case of this man of God, whatever he gets from the church, he used the money for the welfare of his members.” He stated.

The CPC chairman gave an instance where a woman came for the harvest from Vandekya and collapsed in the church and the man of God took her to the hospital and there in the hospital, she was diagnosed with anaemia and he “the man of God” donated his blood for the woman, aside from footing her medical bill.
Asides these, Atta Tordue has his testimony.

“I’m a medical practitioner with modern medical equipment with which I use to effectively dispense services. But when I treat people, they got healed from my Clinic, but they never tell people about it. It was clearly a satanic manipulation upon me and anything I touched never go in the right way. Life became so mysterious and miserable. When people see me on the street, they start cursing me.

“That was my situation until I meet this man of God. Since then, my life has change. There has been a massive patronage in the clinic such that it is difficult to control the crowd of patronage and within a year, I was able to acquire a new car which I took to him for dedication.” He spoke.
The Music Director of the Ministry, brother Martins Ododa, concurred the position of Ata Tordue.

“The Community is enjoying the ministry because the man of God always intervenes for them in times of need, especially during crises, to ensure peace, performing miracles of all kinds. Here, the death regains their lives, blind received their sights, breaking of barriers, delay of success in life and many others.” He stated.

Mrs Beatrice Adams and Mrs Blessing Denen, who were among the church members that came all the way from Vande Ikya, Benue State, one of the Ministry’s branches hold the same perception.

“God has given us a good Bishop who is doing great works in my life and others. He says something once and it is done permanently. He has solved my problems that even my parents were not able to solve, so I’m happy and I will continue to follow him.

“I am mostly happy that the Bishop has extended this Conference to our community and we are equally prepared to welcome him with his people. We are happy and we are forever grateful for the gift of our Bishop, he is such a nice and humble servant of God.” Beatrice adams told our reporter.

For Blessing Denen, the Bishop, Dr. Stephen Saater, is a gift from God. “God has done a great thing to me even in this Conference. Before we came here, I was ill (stomach-ache) but through the prayers and support of our spiritual father, I am much better now. He is actually doing the work of God well and we are equally inspired. So, we’ll continue to support him so that we too, can grow in the service to God and humanity. “She stated.

It was not all about Bishop Dr. Stephen Msughter. During the deliverance service, which was part of the activities marking the event, there was a gale of testimonies from the members on the positive things that God has done in their lives. Most of those who gave the testimonies were pointing fingers at the miracles that they got through a Woman they simply addressed as Mommy, Pastor Mrs Nick T, wife of the Bishop. She is in charge of the Peva Church, Takum LGA of Taraba State.

At this instance, our reporter sought to hear from her the spiritual derivatives shaped her healing and delivering prowess and why there is a perfect blend between her and her husband, the Bishop.
“Healing and deliverance prowess is a gift from God. It depends on the spiritual connectivity between one and God. All I do is pray for people that are sick and God in his infinite mercies heals them.

“I did not meet with my husband coincidentally. God planned it. If God really sends you. He connects you with people of like minds. God made the Bishop and He knew he was going to work for Him then He removed his rib and made me perfectly to assist him in this journey.

“So far, we made a lot of progress as a Ministry. My desire is for us to worship God in truth and faith so that on the last day, we’ll all enter the Kingdom of God.” She added.

The historical background of the Church and its spiritual focus is one that is replete with perseverance, sacrifice and faith. It all started with a vision from Dr. Stephen Saater, which led to the establishment of Divine Solutions and Miracle Center Ministry.

Before then, he was a Pastor with the Living Faith Church from 2004 to 2007. The Ministry, which came to limelight precisely on March 11th, 2007 now has 10 churches spread across the State and beyond with the Headquarters in Peva Chanchanji, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State.

One striking feature with the Ministry is that about 90& of members of the church are mostly from the vulnerable class, women, children. Call them the downtrodden, you might be right. In the Ministry, that bourgeoises signature that is a trend in new generation churches is completely absent. On the contrary, the membership leverages on the ministry to make their ends meet.

“You can see that most of my church members are those who have being sick and wasted much resources without solution so when they receive healing, they stay and I have to feed them, clothe them and equally provide shelter for them because they are looking up to me not even minding whether I have a source of income.”

“Though the church’s resources cannot take care of them all, I continue to do the work that God has given me undeterred because I believe that if I am doing it well, God will bless me even outside this Ministry. I am a farmer and I will continue to farm to take care of the church’s needs including her members because if you keep persuading members to give especially when they are not touched, you may end up scattering them and I don’t want them to be scattered because I value them.” Bishop Pastor Dr. Stephen Saater told our reporter.

On his healing and deliverance gift, the Bishop cited the Bible in the book of Mark chapter 16:17, where Jesus Christ spoke to His disciples saying, “If you truly believe in Christ, you will work signs and wonders” and concludes that he is a beneficiary of the biblical injunction.
Although membership of the church is dominated by people from the low class, Bishop Stephen is not bothered.

“Usually, people who are not in the spirit prefer going to places that are full of their equals where proper recognition would be accorded to them. But here, most of the people you see have faced challenges of sickness or other satanic problems and have exhausted all their options without solutions and coming here, God has healed them and they have decided to remain here.” He explained.

The Ministry, as the Bishop further state has laudable plans for communities but for lack of resources. But this does not prevent the man of God from making plans for the projects. Poor people are roaming the streets with no food, but he has already asked for God’s blessing so as to help the needy, part of which he is doing already. People with mental sicknesses needs to be attended to. In this direction, he is finalizing an arrangement to build a place for them, just like an orphanage.

“I want to develop a place for them and register with the Government so that they won’t say am a ritualist. My plan is to go round the villages, gather them and heal them, both spiritually, medically and otherwise. I have started laying blocks for their place already and by the special grace of God, I believe I will achieve it.

From Sarah Mudwa

The Tiv traditional rulers in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State have expressed their readiness to support the leadership of the new Gara Chanchanji, His Royal Highness Doh Sonlomiya Kumbyera Garmina II.

The new Gara arrived his father’s land on the 11th March, 2025 enroute Takum, after his confirmation as the new Gara Chanchanji.

He succeeded his father, the late Tanimu Kunbiya, who was killed along with one of his sons, sometimes in July 2024 along Takum, Chanchanji road. It is against this backdrop that his son, Doh Sonlomiya Kumbyera Garmina II, was appointed as his successor.

Speaking with our reporter at the welcome event, the Clan Heads of Mbatyula, Terfa Peter, Mbajir, Zaki Ngutor Yawua Damisa JP, Mberev, Zaki Simon Henyo, and that of Mbayongo, Zaki Chia Azer, expressed their deepest appreciation and happiness to the new development, even as they pledged their unalloyed support for the new Chief.

“I really thank God Almighty for giving us a new Chief. We are happy to welcome our King today. Things were rough due to the absence of a King but we believe that normalcy will return in our community with the arrival of the new King.

“We appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas for appointing him to succeed his late father and we promise to support and work with him for the peace, progress and development of our community,” Solomon Igba, Chairman, TCSA Takum Branch, told our reporter.

Clan Heads of Mbatyula, Mbajir, Mberev Mbayongo, as well as Chairman Tiv Chairman Cultural Association, Takum branch at the occasion.

“The death of the former King grounded our community, but as we have a new King today, we are grateful to God Almighty and we hope and pray that God will give him the strength and wisdom to rule Chanchanji in a way that will enhance unity, peace and development. We are going to support him fully to restore the lost glory and peace of our community,” Zaki Simon Henyo, told our reporter.

“We are grateful to God Almighty and we hope and pray that God will give him the strength and wisdom to rule Chanchanji in a way that will enhance unity, peace and development. I also advised that our new King should embrace every tribe in this community, for the purpose of peace and progress, “Zaki Ngutor Damsa JP, added.

While expressing gratitude to God for the appointment of the new Chief, Zaki Chia Azer, expressed confidence that with the new chief, normalcy will return in the community. “We appreciate His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas for appointing Umar Hamidu to succeed his late father and we promise to support and work with him for the peace, progress and development of our community,” he stated.

For Zaki Terfa Peter, it was a moment of gratitude and joy. He took our reporter memory lane on the sad development that took away the life of the late Tanimu Kunbiya, and the confusion that ensued, even as he summed up that the installation of his son as the new Gara will not only douse the tension but will also provide a new vista for the development and way forward for the community in particular and the state at large.

The arrival of His Royal Highness Doh Sonlomiya Kumbyera Garmina II, witnessed a large turnout of people from different socio-cultural backgrounds, singing and dancing, heralding a new dawn for the people of the state

Tears, fears in Bali, as man allegedly killed by Kuru Jibu’s gunmen is buried

By our Reporter

It was a moment of grief and fear of the unknown as the Tiv and other ethnic groups in Bali, joined the Dugwer Community to burry Joshua Terwase Ayem. Terwase Ayem was gunned down on the 3^rd April by gun men who were allegedly protecting the interest of the Kuru Jibu, HRH Alhaji Abubakar Mahmood Adamu, in a protracted land grab scandal in which the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku is suspected to be involved.

Dugwer, where the disputed land is situated, is a suburban community, south of Bali town, along Marraba -Takum road, in Bali LGA of Taraba State. The ancient settlement, which is occupied largely by Tiv agrarian farmers is a space that spans across 500 hectares of land.

The reminds of the Late Terwase being committed to mother earth

The late Terwase, according to Worldview checks, was one of those who were protesting the invasion of their land by the Kuru Jibu’s Bulldozer. While others escaped with several gunshots’ injuries, Terwase was not lucky. He was rushed to the Bali General hospital where he died hours later.

The elaborate, but emotive funeral rites, which commenced with a wake-keep in St. Barnabas Catholic Church Dugwer on the 28^th April, ended with a final interment in his new house, New Jerusalem, Behind General Hospital, Bali.

Children and wife of the late Terwase

Speaking at the emotion laden ceremony, the Ter Bali, Zaki David Gbaa Tela, called on the Tiv people to remain calm and law abiding in any situation that they find themselves. The Ter Bali who condoled the family of the deceased in particular and the Dugwer community in general, said it is the most trying times for the Tiv people in Bali, adding that the late Terwase died protecting the land of his ancestors.

“In Bali, we are known for proper coordination of our activities and peaceful existence. Under no circumstance should we allow this profile to elude us. The entire country is in a restive situation. It’s not only in Bali or Taraba State that strange and bad things such as this are happening. In a situation this, we need to increase of patience and tolerance levels, so that we can minimize some risks. As you know, we the Tiv people are very vulnerable and an endangered specie. If we do not operate with caution, we will go extinct as a people, in the history of Taraba Sate. No condition is permanent, I believe that all the trying moments will come to pass, but to get there, we must be patient and exercise high level of tolerance” He Stated.

The late Terwase burial place in the New Jerusalem, Bali, is a community effort. According to Ter Bali, the land is bought by the Tiv community in Bali, as a house for the deceased family and his final place of rest.  He further explained that since the deceased’s home in Dugwer has become a disputed land, the need has arisen to settle the deceased and his family in a neutral place, hence the purchase of the land. He called on the entire Tiv people in Bali to contribute financially to build a house for the family on the land.

Meanwhile, the ceremony was emotion laden, as tears and wild cries of women, youth and children rented the air. Some people who spoke with our reporter, said the late Terwase was a member of the vigilante, a peace lover and an illustrious son of the soul.

A community leader, who identified himself as Simon Bemdoo, lamented the current situation hovering on the Tiv of Bali, describing it dangerous.

“We are living under a fear of the unknown. The future cast a cloud of gloom and trepidation over our heads. There is an eerie feeling of foreboding all over the place.  Our leaders are now our persecutors. With the current leadership, our future is brick. We are profiled for elimination.

“We have leaders who are only interested is chasing us away and taking over our lands for personal interests. No community survives under this condition. If this situation did not call for concern, nothing will.” He lamented.

Born in February 1983, the late Joshua Terwase Ayem was buried on Saturday, 29^th April, 2023. He is survived by his mother and seven children.