Taraba Tiv Cultural and Social Association Inaugurates New Officials
By Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
It was more or less a jubilation galore at the Jolly Nyame stadium last Saturday as the Tiv Cultural and Social Association (TCSA) inaugurated fourteen new officials who will piolate the affairs of the noble association for the next three years.
Though the Tiv people of the state especially those in the Southern and Central Senatorial Zones of the state are still languishing in different challenges occasioned by the ongoing waves of crises that engulfed them, the occasion witnessed heavy presence of most Tiv illustrious sons and daughters of the state.
In an election which was done strictly through consensus under the leadership of Associate Professor Zwa Agere, the Socio- Cultural group unanimously crowned Joshua Ayagwa (Ichongo) as the President General, Moses Isaga (Ipusu) as the Vice President and Philip Bosha (Ipusu) as the Secretary General.
Others include Yabo Vincent (Ichongo) as Financial Secretary, Engr. Kumasuen Akade (Ipusu) as the treasurer, Hycenth Gbeji (Ichongo) as Director of Socials while Titus Gawan (Ipusu) was elected as the Youth Leader.
Terkura Nongon (Ichongo) occupied the position of Assistant Secretary. While David Adela (Ipusu) takes the office of the Director of Culture, Mrs. Mercy Gbashi (Ichongo) was crowned Women Leader. The position of Auditor1 goes to Fam Gabriel (Ipusu), Linus Ukete (Ipusu) takes the office of PRO, Tersoo Angi (Ichongo) takes Organizing Secretary while Christopher Nomon (Ichongo) assumed the office of Auditor2.
In a welcome address at the occasion, the chairman, Convention Planning Committee, Chief Emmanuel A. Orabunde apologized for the inconsistences they had experienced previously in arriving at the actual date of the occasion. He said it was basically because of COVID-19 pandemic and the hurrible communal crises between the Jukun and Tiv that bedeviled Southern and Central parts of Taraba State and appreciated Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, his asmiable wife Her Excellency Barr. Ann Ishaku and all Tiv stakeholders in the state for the wonderful supports given to them to make the occasion a memorable one.
Also speaking, the outgoing President General, Chief Goodman Dahida applauded the efforts of the Chairman, Traditional Council of Chiefs, the Ter Bali2, Zaki David Gbaar and the planning committee for their relentless efforts towards bringing the occasion to reality.
The outgoing President General urged his successor and the entire Exco members to put aside every differences they may have and work as a team towards uniting the Tiv people of Taraba State to have a common goal and ideology. Chief Dahida who cited many biblical injunctions that emphasized love for one another, encouraged Tiv sons and daughters to eschew greediness, envy and jealousy among themselves in order to pave ways to lift the Tiv people of the state to attain an appreciable and unimaginable height in the state. Maintaining that love for one another was the only sure way through which the Tiv people of Taraba State could safeguard the land and the position that their fore fathers fought hard and left for them.
In his comment shortly after swearing in the new officials, Barr. Elijah Chia encouraged them to work in synergy with the stake holders to enable them achieve a better result especially now that the Tiv people of Taraba State are passing through different difficult situations.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the chairman of the occasion Dr. Daniel D. Mom, had lauded the good work of the outgoing exco under the leadership of Mr. Goodman Dahida and charged the new exco to follow their steps with innovative and creative ideas to move the Tiv Taraba forward.
The chairman commended the entire processes that lead to the inauguration and called for a harmonious working relationship among the exco members.
‘’From history, Ipusu has produced seven President Generals and today is the turn of the Ichongo to also produce the seventh President General. This act shows that the Tiv People of Taraba State are still in the old good days of ‘ya na angbian’’. He stated.
While emphasizing on the need for the Tiv people to love one another, the Dr. said a house divided against itself cannot stand. As such, he charged Tiv people of Taraba State to emulate their forefathers and deliberately learn to promote peaceful co-existence among themselves to form a block, especially now that they are passing through trying times.
In their separate comments at the occasion, the commissioner for Social Development, Taraba State, Hon. Mrs. Bridget Twar and the Clerk of the Taraba State House of Assembly all described the occasion as unique of its kind owing to the peaceful manner of conduct and the various presentations made at the event. The duo charged the Exco members to work in synergy with their subjects in order to move the Tiv people of Taraba State to a greater height.
While presenting an acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated President General Comrade Joshua Ayagwa who spoke on behalf of the new exco; applauded Tiv people of Taraba state for finding them worthy to serve in their various capacities and pledged their determination to justify the confidence reposed in them. He said, ‘’we will uphold your mandate and work hard to build confidence that will translate into meaningful progress for our collective good. I am fully aware of the challenges that lies ahead but with your collective supports and determination, we shall overcome the challenges and reposition ourselves against certain forces that are constantly at play to ensure that our unity is threatened’’.
He also appreciated the Executive Governor of Taraba State, Arch. Darius Dickson Ishaku, his amiable wife Her Excellency Barr. Ann Ishaku and all Tiv stakeholders for creating a peaceful and enabling environment for them to attain such feat and charged members to imbibed the spirit of love, forgiveness and tolerance so that they would achieve greater feats that look impossible at the moment.
In his closing remark, the Chairman, Traditional Council of Chiefs, the Ter Bali2 Zaki David Gbaar also applauded Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku and his wife Her Excellency Barr. Ann Ishaku for creating a conducive atmosphere for the the Tiv people of the state to conduct the convention peacefully. The Ter Bali2 challenged the new exco to live up to their responsibilities and work harmoniously towards restoring love for one another and respect for elders to lift the Tiv people out of the mess they are passing through.
He cautioned them against betrayal, urging them to shun the way of Esau in the bible who cheaply sold his birthright for just a mess of pottage.
Highlights of the occasion were presentation of awards to distinguished personalities, presentation and adoption of TCSA constitution, traditional dance by the community of Tiv Students of Taraba State University, presentation of some meditative songs by Iornem Solomon (JP), presentation of highly inspirational papers by Hon. Philip A. Munlip and Associate Professor Akombo Elijah on the topics; Inter-ethnic Harmony as Bedrock of Peace and Security and A Search for Inter-ethnic Harmony in Southern Taraba, the Case Study of Jukun and Tiv respectively. The convention was conducted strictly in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
