By our reporter
The sleepy community of Damsa, in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba State, was in a beehive of activities, as Chief Dr John Agbidye, one of the Nigeria’s most famous medical personalities rolled out his drums to celebrate the installation of his traditional title, The Atakpa U Tiv Taraba, even as his wife Awashima John Tor-Agbidye, was also celebrated as the Tyegh ki Atakpa U Tiv Taraba.
The traditional title was bestowed on him by the Taraba State Tiv Traditional Leaders’ Council, under the Gumbegha U Tiv Taraba, Zaki David Akever Gbaa Tella, Taraba State Tiv Central Leader.
Earlier, Chief David Gbaa, Chairman, Tiv Traditional Leaders Council while presenting the award during the Traditional Chieftaincy Award Ceremony held in Tor-Damisa, Donga Local Government Area of Taraba over the weekend said that Dr Tor-Agbidye’s services to the mankind had earned him the traditional title of ‘Atakpa U Tiv’ and his wife as ‘Ityegh Ki Atakpa’.
Gbaa translated the titles as the ‘Medicinal Cure of Tiv in Taraba’ and the ‘Medicinal pot of Tiv in Taraba’ respectively.
He described Dr Tor-Agbidye as the famous and indispensable driver in human medicare, adding that the presentation of such award was in recognition of his numerous contributions to Tiv in Taraba in particular and humanity in general.
In his remark, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Dr George Akume urged the Tiv community in Taraba to maintain their peaceful coexistence amongst themselves and their neighbours in the state.
Represented by Dr Francis Kyenge, Director of Administration in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) said that it was only where there was peace that development could be achieved.
The SGF commended the Tiv community for honouring Tor-Agbidye whom he described as an embodiment of scientific and medical knowledge of the present generation.
He encouraged him to continue his services to humanity, adding that his contributions to global medicare and his services to humanity would be indelible in the life of human society.
Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha, former governorships candidate of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 governorship election in the state acknowledged that the recognition on Tor-Agbidye was earned through hard work, dedication and commitment to selfless service.
In his goodwill message, Prof. Steve Ugba, Federal Commissioner representing Benue State in the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) said that the award to Dr Tor-Agbidye was well deserving. Ugba who is a former Nigerian Ambassador to Russia also encouraged the youths to emulate Dr John Tor-Agbidye who came from a humble background yet attained greatness in life. According to him, environment shouldn’t serve as an excuse to your backwardness.
He thanked the Tiv community in Taraba for finding the recipient worthy to be conferred with such title which he described as quintessential.
In his remark, Tor-Agbidye, who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of In-coutry Medicare and the recipient of the award thanked the Tiv leadership for finding him worthy to be conferred with the title of Atakpa.
While promising to support the Tiv community in all dealings, he vowed not to let his people down.
Other notable personalities at the event included; Chief James Baka, President General of Tiv Culture and Social Association in Taraba, Dr Samuel Tor Agbidye, former Commissioner for Health during Gongola State and Prof. Simon Abochol of Yakubu Gowon University Abuja.
Ngo U Sankera, Mrs Shuluwa, Mrs Bridget Twar, former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Chief Orngu Mela, Former Clerk Taraba State House of Assembly, Mrs Mercy Gbashi, Secretary to Donga local government council amongst many other guests, graced the occasion.
