- Rt. Hon. Yusuf named ‘Bridge Between Tiv People Worldwide and Kogi State’.
The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf has been conferred with the title of Zege Tsar U Tiv – the Bridge Between Tiv People Worldwide and Kogi State.
The title was conferred on him on Saturday by the Tor Tiv Kogi State, Chief Moses Chinor Vor on behalf of the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, at an occasion held in Obajana during the socio-cultural group’s special gathering.
While accepting the title, the Speaker described the Tiv as one of the most hard working ethnic groups wherever they find themselves, and thanked them for their dedication to his cause, even as he urged them to make the same sacrifices they made for his campaign for the APC in the next elections.
He said although the Tiv were not the only ethnic group that contributed to his victory, but that they were the only ones that further mobilised their resources towards his election during the last general election in Kogi State.
The Speaker, who promised to be a solid bridge between them and Kogi State, assured the Tiv people that he would give them the needed connection to the state, and to demonstrate his sincerity, he gave the group the opportunity to appoint one of them as a Special Adviser to him effective immediately.
He enjoined them to remain faithful to the APC, noting that even the Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello recognises their tenacity and sincerity in whatever they put their minds to, stressing that a Tiv man who is the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume created the enabling environment for Governor Bello’s transport business to thrive in Benue State and Nigeria when he was Governor.
On the request for a plot of land to build their secretariat, Rt Hon Yusuf promised to lead them on courtesy visitations to the right quarters to ensure their request was granted as it would also bring about socioeconomic development for Kogi State.
The Speaker who described the APC candidate in the November 11 gubernatorial election, Alhaji Usman Ododo, as the right person to continue with the legacy of the present administration, enjoined them to mobilise their members in all parts of the state to register when INEC commences the registration process to ensure maximum victory for the party.
Earlier in his address, the Tor Tiv Kogi State, Chief Moses Chinor Vor said the decision to confer the title on the speaker was because of his acceptance among his people as a lover of all ethnic groups in the state, both the indigenous and the settlers.
He said they are aware of the Speaker’s ability to sponsor and support bills that would lead to peace, harmony and development of the entire state, stressing that he had no doubt that the state would remain the most peaceful in the country under the current Assembly.
The Tor Tiv, who stated that there are over 1.5 million Tiv population in Kogi State alone, said they have the number that can immensely contribute to the economy of the state if given the wherewithal.
On his part, the President of Tiv population in Kogi State, who heads the administrative aspect of the ethnic group, Francis Igyu said the Mdzough Tiv (Tiv Ethnic Group) has enjoyed a great deal of peace under the present administration and restated their commitment to supporting the government and the APC in all elections.
Highlight of the occasion was the moment the speaker was decorated in their attire to confer the title of Zege Tsar U Tiv to the admiration of members of the community and the entourage of the speaker.
The Speaker was accompanied to the decoration ceremony by the members representing Lokoja I, Kogi/Kotonkarfe, and Ajaokuta State Constituencies, party stalwarts and other.
