Tiv Traditional Rulers drum support for new Gara Chanchanji
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.
His arrival was marked with a thunderous welcome as jubilation and songs of praises cutting across various ethnic groups in the community rented the air.
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
