Kwande Source News (2024)

10/12/2023

Benue : Have the gods also come to us in the likeness of men ?

By Iorliam Shija

Ancient Greeks had a lot of gods and goddesses ; there were , for example, gods like Zeus, Athena , Hera , Demeter, Hermes , Cronus and Hypnos . These gods had temples, worshipers and priests in every City State in Ancient Greece . But the people hardly saw these gods in human form. They only experienced their influence on the activities of men . Once though in a little Greek town , the people felt the gods came down themselves to cause a change. Maybe, that's also what many people in Benue are thinking now. They feel the gods want to play a role in their political order .

Students of the Bible Book of Acts of Apostles will remember clearly the missionary journeys of Saint Paul , the new convert, who was tasked by a prophetic revelation and thereafter toured the world , especially to the gentiles and or to the Jews living in all parts of the then known world, preaching the good news of God and also healing the sick . They will also remember that one of the journeys took Paul and his associate, Barnabas to the city of Lystra.

In Lystra, the Bible says , lived a man who had been lame from birth and had never been able to walk . This lame man was one of those who sat listening to the new messages that the dou were "babbling", according to the philosophers of the day. Paul saw that the lame man had faith so he shouted to him , "stand up and walk ". Immediately, in the presence of all , he began to walk . When the MASSES saw this miracle which Paul had done , they said , " The gods have come to us in the likeness of men ", they concluded that Paul was the god Zeus and Barnabas was named the god, Hermes . They brought animals and began to offer sacrifices to them .

The political events of this outgoing week in Benue State have been intriguing, strange and I think unpredictable. At the back of it all seems to have been the tusstle between political STAKEHOLDERS and the governor of Benue State over the rights of entrenchment of government structures . It appears, political stakeholders, especially of the governor's party , APC want to be part of the game significantly, but on the other hand , the governor appears not to welcome such interference into the work he wishes to do.

This position taken by the governor is strange in Benue politics because since 1951 , stakeholders have always played major roles in the selection of team members and representatives . In 1951, for example , the First Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh Markir Dzakpe and members of Tiv Progressive Unions, TPU gathered in Makurdi to select for the first time members who would represent the Benue Province in The Northern Nigeria House of Assembly in Kaduna .

After much deliberations in Makurdi, the following were chosen as the first Tiv elected representatives in Tiv History: Hon . E.G Gundu, he was a staff of the Tiv Native Authority, Hon. Ayila Yough , also from the Native Authority, Chief Makondo Igbon was a Second World War Veteran, Hon. Chia Aka was a teacher at the Kastsina Ala Middle School, Hon. Wuam Gambe , from the Native Authority service, Pagher Mue , an elementary school teacher , Hon. Yough Agera, was the treasurer of Tiv Native Authority and chosen was also Hon Akiga Sai, a publisher , author and editor of a Tiv Newspaper, Mwanger u Tiv.

The Second Set of Tiv people to be elected now to the Federal House of Reps in Lagos took place in 1954. The election of 1954 is important in Tiv History because, amongst those elected, there emerged the first REAL POLITICAL STAKEHOLDER of Benue Politics. This class had JS Tarka , Tor Gondo Aluor , Patrick Kuu and HO Abaagu . Through vision and tact, although relatively younger than the rest, JS Tarka outsmarted both the class of 1951 and 1954 to emerge the fixer of Benue Politics !

From 1954 to 1979, our Politics was largely based on the vision and dictates of Tarka and his associates. In 1969, Tarka had his first major opposition and threat to his overbearing influnce. This came from the political upstart , Wantaregh Paul Iyorpuu Unongo who had just left UniLag as a lecturer and joined politics. Chief Unongo simply attempted to intellectualize Tiv and Benue Politics. He reviewed the Tarka years and gave a vote of no confidence on them , he then threw a question; where do we go from here ?

When JS Tarka died in 1980, our political stakeholders were the Tarka associates led by Aper Aku, former governor on one hand and the intellectuals led by Unongo on the other hand . With the passage of time and military takeovers , political activities died down ! But the vestiges of political Stakeholdership were there waiting for another manifestation!

In 1999, our political stakeholders were those like Unongo , the old Politicians of The First , Second and Third Republics who were lucky to be alive and relevant. They also had challengers in those who the successive military regimes had empowered like Chief Barnabas Gemade or some few retired military officers . These were the people who started fixing political positions for us ! 1999 also created eventually George Akume .

In 2007, Distinguished Sen. George Akume, who is today the SGF, made history as the first person in Benue State to complete his two terms as governor . Aper Aku , 1979 to 1983 and Rev Fr Moses Adasu 1992 to 1993 , both who were governors before him had their terms cut short ! Akume took his first oath on 29th May , 1999 and his second oath 29th May, 2003.

Automatically, Akume became the biggest STAKEHOLDER that emerged in the Fourth REPUBLIC. To strengthen his stakeholdership he did two things ; first, he installed his successor and secondly, he retired back to the senate where he hoped to become the Senate president of Nigeria and godfather of Benue Politics. He could not be Senate President, but he became the godfather of Benue Politics.

Before he installed the present governor in 2023 and became the SGF, it is on his CV that he was in the senate from 2007 to 2019 . He was a minister from 2019 to 2023 and of course in 2015, it was he who installed Chief Samuel Ortom as governor of the state .

Like Paul in an Ancient Greek City State , Rev Fr Hyacinth Iormen Alia, the governor of Benue State , also entered Benue Politics with the fame of a Catholic priest who could heal people from their sicknesses. Is the healing of human sicknesses by the priest , being extended to Benue State Politics now ? This is what I read in the voice of his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kulas. He told the protesting stakeholders that their suggestions were not Ten Commandments that must be obeyed . He also made it clearly known to the stakeholders, some who helped in his election and might still come handy when he is contesting his second term that , Benue money is no longer Atuur or Okra for them to share .

In 2009/2010 , Gabriel Suswam who took over from Akume as governor challenged him and even sent him out of PDP and in 2018 and 2019 , Samuel Ortom had issues with Akume and he also lost his senatorial election as a result, but I think what the governor has done to Akume men in six months is the most daring thing that any man has ever done to Akume's political structure since he emerged as the defacto stakeholder of Benue Politics.

Have the gods themselves also come down in Benue to dymisfy human beings, political schemes and cause a new order or there is just a misjudgement somewhere ? It is too close for me to to call at the moment! What do you think ?

I-orliam Shija is a Historian and Community Journalist . He writes from Makurdi. 10/12/2023

04/10/2023

PRESS RELEASE

Benue State Government Youth Enrollment Programme

October 3, 2023

The State Government through the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity, is embarking on an enrollment exercise of all Benue youth who are between the ages of 17 and 45 years, from Thursday, 5th to Friday, 27th October, 2023 ( 3 Weeks).

The exercise which is aimed at generating a robust and comprehensive database of Benue youths, will enable the State Government to effectively design both short term and long term policies and programmes that will cater for the needs and aspirations of Benue youth in the area of employment opportunities, job creation, youth empowerment, skills acquisition as well as other welfare packages soon to be rolled out by Benue State Government.

Consequently, youth of Benue origin from ages 17 — 30, and from 31 — 45 are mandated to sign up for the Data Enrollment Programme by logging into the Benue Youth Data Form portal [http://bit.ly/benuestateyouthenrollment] to fill in their information as required.

They can also collect the form from the office of the Youth Development/Sports Officers of the Ministry who are in all the 23 Local Government Secretariat, NYSC Corps members deployed to assist in the data collection exercise; Kindred Heads; Churches; and Schools across the state. Forms can also be accessed from youth based organisations such as Commercial Motorcycle Riders Associations, Wheelbarrow Pushers Associations, Cooperatives societies, etc.

The first phase of the data capturing which is a continuous exercise will last for a period of Three Weeks

Benue youth are advised to promptly enroll for the data documentation programme as only those validly documented with the Ministry will stand to benefit from the youth developmental initiatives of the State Government.

Rt. Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange,
Honourable Commissioner,
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Creativity

03/08/2023

Mzough U Tiv At 38

By Iorliam SHIJA

On 6th August, 2005, three months and fourteen days to his death, His Excellency, Very Rev Father Moses Orshio Adasu, former governor of Benue State, was invited as Guest Speaker to a Community of Tiv Students , CTS, Benue State University, BSU Chapter's Tiv Day.

Before he began to speak on the topic, "Introspection, Key to the development of Tiv Nation", Fr Adasu observed that such a glamorous and elaborate event put together by mere students to engage the Tiv Question should have been organized by Mzough U Tiv and not students. He noted that it was regratable that Mzough U Tiv and Ijir Tamen were dead!

"I have lamented that Ijir Tamen and Mzough U Tiv which symbolized Tiv Ontology are gone and with them, The Tiv Nation. They must be resurrected.", Adasu tendered as a solution. He also advised that, " The Tiv at home and those in the Diaspora must come together and make this happen. The Tiv need a Forum where together as a nation, they will withdraw into selves , recollect who they are , how they live and recreate Tiv identity"

I think that in recent times too , the huge successes of Tiv cultural festivals like Kyegh Sha Sha, KSS and Mutual Union of Tiv in America, MUTA Annual Conventions have once again, caused Tiv men of thought to think in same lines like the good priest had done fourteen years ago. But why has Mzough U Tiv failed where KSS and MUTA are succeeding? Has Mzough U Tiv, actually failed? Here, I will X-ray the Mzough U Tiv at 38 years of its formation on the basis of the above problem questions.

According to Prof Mvendaga Jibo, a renowned academic of politics and chieftaincy affairs , series of activities that led to the formation of Mzough U Tiv began on 6th April 1985. Jibo revelaed that it was during the 60th birthday anniversary celebration of the then Tor Tiv HRM, Orchivrigh James Akperan Orshi, Tor Tiv , at his village, Tse Kur Baka, in Mbatie District of Buruku Local Government, that the Tor Tiv hinted on an idea of a Tiv Forum for his people.

When he was elected as 3rd Tor Tiv on 10th March 1979 after the death of his predecessor, Orchivrigh Gondu Aluor, Tor Tiv on 17th November, 1978, Orshi inherited a divided Tivland. Although, he had become Tor Tiv , 19 years after the Nande Nande political crisis or 23 years after the Atem Ityough crisis, but the effects of these Tiv Political Riots were still unattended to as at the time he became Tor Tiv . But obviously , of most importance and immediate attention to his reign were the crisis and bad blood that ensued from the 1979 Gubernatorial Election between Aper Aku and Mr PRV Belabo and of course the controversy sorrounding his emergence as Tor Tiv.

Despite the fact that beginning in 1969, when he joined politics , Wantaregh Paul Unongo had further divided Tivland politically as it was the case in the early 1960s, but the overwhelming figure of 1979 General Election, who won and took all was of course Senator Joseph Sarwuan Tarkaa. In that election, Tarkaa installed Aper Aku as Governor, himself as senator and his son , Hon Simeon Mbakorkaa Tarkaa a House of Reps member . Tarkaa also ensured that Orshi emerged Tor Tiv even when most of the elders and king makers had thought it was the turn of Ipusu from Kwande and had even presented a candidate.

He may have a used a proxy in 1979 election, but in the 1983 General Election that Aku was seeking another term, and just four years after Orshi was Tor Tiv, Unongo decided to go for the governorship election himself. Apart from perhaps the 2011 Gubernatorial Election between Gabriel Suswam and Prof Steve Ugbah, no election in living memory had divided Tivland like the 1983 General Election. Although Aku eventually won , but Tivland lost more . We lost lives and the unity that held our people together. We lost much peace that even when the military took over power on 31st December, 1983 to end that despensation , Orshi was too wise to conclude that the military intervention had ended the political crises of his people .

As politicians were winning elections , Orshi was aware that Tiv identity and unity was failing. So on his 60th birthday, he invited all his prominent sons and daughters to the place of his birth. He pleaded that all his subjects should reason and come up with a non-partisan FORUM to lead the process of charting a path for change in Tivland . That was the message he was preaching since he became Tor Tor Tiv but "Saddened by his inability and want of peace and progress in Tivland , which was aggravated by the common phenomenon of incessant intra tribal fighting and killings of fellow Tiv brothers and sisters as well as ubiquitous pull down syndrome of those who are up at the ladder of success, the Tor Tiv wished the Tiv people to change for the better" , according to Jibo.

Orshi therefore pleaded with his subjects and added that he would reward "any willing Tiv person who would bring Tiv sons and daughters together to share in a common forum for the discussion of Tiv affairs with a token inspiring plea of the sum of 1000( one thousand Naira) only. This plea sunk because there was an immediate response from the influential Tiv sons and daughters of the day

On 17th April, a day after the royal plea, Tiv sons and daughters went into action as they had gathered at Tilley Gyado Hotel, Gboko to discuss the matter that burdened their king and come up with a solution. This inaugural meeting to discuss the issue was convened by Mr Akaazua Muemue, a renowned bussiness man. After series of such meetings, Chia Surma, Ezekiel Akiga, Isaac Shaahu, Ayua Num and Akaazua Muemue himself decided to take up the challenge that the Tor Tiv had thrown at them. They in turn selected two people each from the Tiv intermediate areas to go back to the Tor Tiv and discuss the idea of the forum in details and had the Tor Tiv take the lead of the process to form the forum , with a promise that they will support him to succeed.

Those selected to interface further with Orshi on this matter were from Jechira, Chief Jerome Tilley Gyado and Judge Angwe Asen, MINDA, Chief Ayua Num and Justice AB Utsaha, Sankera, Hon Joseph Tor Bossua and Ezekiel Akiga , Kwande , Chief Ako Dzungwe Shande and Achirga Abuul, while from Jemgbagh it was Ijir Zever and Chia Surma. The Tor Tiv received these delegates and after listening to their appeal that the " the perceived Tiv Forum should be started by Tiv Traditional Council which after taking roots, they would then take over " , he obliged them.

The Tor Tiv on his part called an emergency Ijir Tamen on 27th April , 1985 to receive further inputs from his members of council on the idea. On 1st June, 1985 Mzough U Tiv was born on a day that a second Ijir Tamen was held for the purpose. Many names were suggested for the FORUM but that which was given by Hon Jerome Hwande as MZOUGH U TIV was unanimously adopted.

What were aims and objectives of this Mzough U Tiv?

1. To promote and provide a forum for unity , peace and harmony among Tiv people in particular and Nigerians in general

2. To Promote , secure and enhance social , cultural and agricultural advancement of Tiv people in particular and Nigerians in general

3. To promote, provide and preserve educational, health and other social institutions for our people at all levels permitted by law

4. To promote , provide and preserve a Forum for dessemination of information and exchange ideas between members of the association or members thereto and to receive and impart such information and ideas

5. To promote , preserve and enhance the traditional institution of chieftaincy, marriage and Tiv Native law and customs

6. To promote and encourage the development of Tiv language and literature

7. To engage in any other area of economic activity for the benefit or well being of the members and the association;

8 To do or perform any other thing or act not expressly provided herein , but which is direct or incidental to the attainment of any or all of the above aims and objectives.

If you looked at the above lofty ideas and what the Mzough U Tiv has become today then, like Adasu and many other observers had concluded , we can say that the Mzough U Tiv has failed itself and the Tiv people . This failure can still be traced basically from the crisis that the body was set out to solve.

In 1985, the then leading Tiv politician , Paul Unongo refused to be part of the formation of Mzough U Tiv . Unongo and his supporters , to Jibo, were suspicious of the Tor Tiv's idea. Unongo felt that Tor Tiv had formed the association to rally the pro -Tarkaa supporters to frustrate Unongo's emergence as a Tiv political leader( it should be noted that Tarkaa died on 30th March, 1980) . That apart , in the wisdom of Mzough U Tiv, they survived and came up with a Tiv Day.

Dr Tesemchi Makar wrote that the idea of celebrating an annual Tiv Day in September in Gboko , was designed to be a gathering to remember and celebrate the gallant efforts of Tiv's ancestors who led the way in occupying the Benue Valley, the challenges they faced as they engaged other tribes and the colonialists and to celebrate their successes which led to them to have Gboko as their admistrative center in 1933 and a Tor Tiv as their Paramount Ruler in 1946. The Tiv Day was to be used, also , to celebrate Tiv Culture and essence and engage the Tiv question in Independent Nigeria.

In 1987, Paul Unongo who had endeared himself to the military government of the day , prevailed on the then milliary adminstrator, not to attend the Tiv Day. Unongo also directed Council Chairmen who he had influenced their appointments and were loyal to him like JA Aligba, Katsina Ala LGA , Jacob Damjor, Gboko LGA and Nyianshima Bur, Kwande LGA, not to attend Tiv Day. But Due to the pressures from his Tiv colleagues in military like Col JM Inienger and Brig SG Ikya, the then Military Adminstrator, Col J I Bakut shunned Unongo and attended Tiv Day. When he discovered that Unongo nearly misled him, Bakut was so angry that he fired the chaimen who boycotted the Tiv day.

In 1989, 1992 and 1993, Unongo decided to attend the Tiv Day in Gboko but he ended up having issues with the organisers . The issues became glaring, especially in 1989 and 1992 editions . At those two occasions, he had demanded to address the Mzough U Tiv, but the leadership refused. "They didn't want Unongo to get his views and aspirations accross to the masses so easily by using the Mzough U Tiv'.Since those days, partisan politics has continued to stand in the way of organising a very successful Tiv day at home and in making the Mzough U Tiv into a formidable association.

This is a very big vacuum that CTS, Mzough U Tiv ken UK, MUTUK, MUTA, KSS and several other Mzough U Tiv like those in Lagos and Port Harcourt have occupied. Now, do you blame these groups that ordinarily would have been just associates of the Mzough U Tiv at HOME, for organising more glamorous and elaborate events because local politicians have failed to overcome their differences and do same in Gboko? Or do you blame , say a sitting governor or Senators or other representatives of the people honouring invitations to appear at such elaborate events ?

Going forward, the present Tor Tiv MUST rise up and own the Mzough U Tiv . He must return it to its origins and guide it aright along the intension of its founding fathers . Like Adasu observed in 2005, " the future of the Tiv people has become bleak and unpredictable. Indeed , it is saddled with broken promises and accompanied with untold hardships. A people who once were victors have become victims . In all , the metaproblem is founded on lack of leadership in our human institutions " .

I think , with Adasu and many others , I can conveniently agree that Mzough U Tiv and her brain child, Tiv day are dead or lack the proper leadership to steer its affairs , but with Adasu and many other men and women of goodwill, I can't demonize those who like, CTS, MUTA and KSS, that are still keeping the fire burning by organizing Tiv Days annually.

Makurdi, Benue State
3rd August, 2023

30/06/2023

"WHY IS ADIKPO CALLED A LONDON

"So it was because of the first storey building built in Adikpo by Akinde Ayu in 1961 that made this cosmopolitan composer(Anande Amende) born at Mbakyan , Nanev , on 17th August , 1928 same year Ikpato, the son of Adikpo, was made chief , to call Adikpo a LONDON "

"Before coming to stay in Adikpo and later Gboko , Keil revealed that Amende had travelled and had contacts even with the foreign traders at Ogoja, Obudu and Igbos who were trading with the locals in Adikpo. So Amende sang that Adikpo was a London, that she even had storey buildings, then a very rare feat throughout Tivland. Ayu claimed that he was actually the first Tiv man to build a storey building. He wrote on his building "Tiv First Sense 1961" . The storey building located close to St Andrew's Secondary School , along the Adikpo -Adagi-Ikyogen-Jato-Aka Road , has survived till date"

FROM THE BOOK ADIKPO LONDON IN THE EYES OF A SETTLER BY IORLIAM SHIJA PAGE 7

Make your orders for copies of the book .

Price : 4000
Account : Iorliam SHIJA
Bank ::OPAY
NUMBER : 8051990203

CALL: 08051990203

24/06/2023

BREAKING:

Son of First Civilian Governor of Benue State , Dead

A family source has told Kwande Source News that Mr Akua Aku, the son of the first civilian governor of Benue State from 1979-1983 is dead .

Akua died today after a brief illness .

Aku is from Ikyobo , Mbakuha , Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State.

26/03/2023

Happy birthday our Publisher Mr Iorliam Shija . God bless you.

20/03/2023

BREAKING NEWS

Kwande Elections - Governorship and State Assembly- Rescheduled For Tuesday, 21st March, 2023

12/01/2023

Our current edition. 💪. Copies Available

12/01/2023

Our current edition 💪. Copies available.

29/11/2022

PAUL UNONGO IS DEAD, FAMILY SAYS

The family of Wantaregh Paul Unongo has announced his death , Tuesday. Please read the announcement of the death of the sage below:

The Unongo Kwanghise and Ugbah families are saddened to announce the call to glory after 87 remarkable years of the patriarch of our families
WANTAREGH PAUL UNONGO OFR, which occurred today(29-11-2022)

He was a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and great Nigerian patriot who stood for what was right and even to his personal detriment.

The entire Unongo Kwanghise /Ugbah families are deeply grateful for 87 wonderful years of life rooted in love and service to the ordinary man; for the compassion of those who have cared and prayed for him; and for the goodwill messages and condolences of our friends and fellow citizens.

God Bless you all.

Signed
The Family.

20/10/2022

Testing

05/06/2022

BOB TYOUGH: THE SIGNS ARE EVERYWHERE

BY Iorliam SHIJA

When Jesus, the prophet and son of God was killed , the Jews and even the Romans didn't stop at that. They wanted to take the battle beyond : They wanted to kill his apostles and disciples. They wanted to kill his memory and message. They wanted to kill the spread of Christianity.

The persecution and martyrdom of Christians is properly documented in history but what stood out for me in the early days was the caution of a very senior legal luminary.

In the Chapter 5 of LUKES Gopel from verse 34 , Christians are once again brought for persecution, but this man did a different thing:

34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,a teacher of the law,who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Since 1999, couple of people have appeared in the Kwande Ushongo Federal Constituency and there have been a gang up against them that, succeeded. It happened to Terfa Atii, it happened to Chile Igbawua, it also happened to Benjamin Aboho. Their second term ambitions were fought to a stand still.

In the case of the incumbent, Bob Tyough , the signs are everywhere that CONSPIRACY, GANG UP AND FALSEHOOD will not win the day. The constituents , are for once , wiser and their focus is on a bigger picture.

This constituency needs a RANKING member and all the Constituents are ready to do whatever is possible to achieve that . This second term jinx is big, but the odds favour Bob Tyough to break it . He will break it not because he is wise , not because he has done everything in his first term. Bob will break It simply because God wants it so and the time favours him.

Like Gamaliel did to the Jews , today, I advise those who are yet to see the signs that Bob is on a mission , to realise that , it is fruitless to fight a man who God and Time support!

Kwande Source News

10/12/2023

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