Tor Tiv
Tor Tiv also known as Begha U Tiv (Lion of Tiv people) is the supreme traditional ruler of the Tiv people.[1] The stool was established in 1946 by the British colonial administration after they created the Tiv Central Council. Tor Tiv is the symbol of unity of the Tiv people. The seat is located in Gboko. The Tor Tiv is the head of Ijirtamen also known as the Tiv Traditional Council (TTC), the highest policy-making body in charge of the Tiv people. It comprises all the chiefs in Tiv land. The council sits at least once in a year.[2] The Tor Tiv, according to Tiv tradition, arbitrates disputes among Tiv people without impartiality, irrespective of economic, political and social status of the parties to a dispute.[3]
According to Section 16 (1) schedule 3 of the law establishing the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council, the Tor Tiv seat rotates among the two sons of Tiv, Ipusu and Ichongo, as the main ruling houses of the Tiv people. The Tor Tiv is also the chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Council.[4]
The current Tor Tiv is James Ayatse.[5] The full title of the Tor Tiv is, His Royal Majesty, Begha U Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof Ortese Iorzua James Ayatse.[6]
List of Tor Tiv
- Makir Dzakpe, Tor Tiv I (19 September 1946 to 11 October 1956)[7]
- Gondo Aluor, Tor Tiv II (12 December 1956 to 19 November 1978)[8]
- James Akperan Orshi, OON, Tor Tiv III (10 March 1979 to 16 October 1990)[9]
- Alfred Akawe Torkula, MFR, Tor Tiv IV (21 April 1991 – 22 November 2015)[10]
- James Ayatse, Tor Tiv V (4 March 2017 – present)[11]
Sacrilege of the Tor Tiv Stool
On 4 March 2017, during the coronation of James Ayatse as Tor Tiv IV at JS Tarka Stadium in Gboko, a man, Stephen Nyitse outwitted the security officers and sat on the stool prepared for the coronation. Nyitse during interrogation said he sat on the stool to cleanse it for the incoming Tor Tiv and make it comfortable for him.[12] The sacrilegist was later banished from Tivland by the Tiv Traditional Council (TTC) with instructions that no Tiv son or daughter must ever relate with him or help him.[13] Stephen Nyitse was also sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of trespass and impersonating the Tor Tiv on 7 March 2017 by a magistrate court. Later, Tor Tiv V, James Ayatse applied for his pardon.[14][15]
References
- ^ "Tor Tiv: One year on the throne". blueprint.ng. 2018-07-05. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "History Of Kingship In Tiv Land". latestnigeriannews.com. 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "All You Need To Know About The Coronation Of Prof James Ayatse As Tor Tiv The Fifth". kapital929.fm. 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "TOR TIV Stool : Why Shitile Of Sankera Clan Deserves The Throne". thenigerianvoice.com. 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Man causes stir as he sits on Tor Tiv's throne during coronation ceremony". newsexpressngr.com. 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Tiv people marginalised, says new Tor Tiv". thenationonlineng.net. 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Chief Makir Zakpe". tivpedia.org.ng. 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Chief Gondo Aluor". tivpedia.org.ng. 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "His Royal Highness James Akperan Orshi". tivpedia.org.ng. 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "TOR TIV Stool : Why Shitile Of Sankera Clan Deserves The Throne". thenigerianvoice.com. 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "PHOTOS: Coronation of Tor Tiv in Benue". punchng.com. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Abomination as man sits on Tor Tiv's stool ahead of coronation". premiumtimesng.com. 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "The man who sat on the Tor Tiv's throne". thecable.ng. 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Tor Tiv begs for pardon for man serving jail term for sitting on royal chair". punchng.com. 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Tor Tiv Urges Benue CJ To Pardon Man In Jail For Sitting On Royal Chair". independent.ng. 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2020.