By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Secretary of the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume has urged the Mdzough U Tiv, MUT, a Tiv socio-cultural organisation and all Tiv speaking people to rally round President Bola Tinubu in his determination to make the country greater and flourishing.

He also enjoined them to always work for the  unity and progress of the tribe and Nigeria in general.

Senator Akume in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi, by the Public Relations Officer, of MUT Lagos, Godwin Ichur, gave the charge during the grand finale of a two-day 2024 Tiv Cultural Fiesta with the theme “Tiv Heritage: Promoting Unity, Preserving Culture and Traditions.”

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Christopher Tarka, the SGF commended the organizers of the fiesta for their creative ideas and “for keeping the Tiv cultural heritage alive.

“I urge you to unite and extend fellowship to others and especially my principal, President Bola Tinubu, who has the interest of the Tiv people at heart.

“With him as President, Tiv people will continue to be recognized in the scheme of things in the country. So I urge you all to always support him in his quest to transform the country and move it to the pedestal of sustainable growth and development.”

The lawmaker representing Benue North West Senatorial District, Dr Titus Zam  called on Tiv people to be supportive of one another noting that with the right mentality, there would  be nothing  difficult for Tiv people to achieve.

The President of Tiv Community in Lagos State, Steven Uzer called on all Tiv in Lagos to put aside their differences and work towards a common purpose and growth of all  Tiv people. “We must recognize that our diversity is our strength and not our weakness.”

The Chairman of the event and Executive Secretary of Nigeria Shippers’ Council, NSC, Mr. Pius Akutah, represented by his Principal Adviser on Politics and Public Affairs, Mr Faeren Atir, expressed his commitment to uplifting the lives of Tiv people and urged the organizers of the event to be steadfast promising to help them actualize their lofty ideas.

Earlier, the Central Planning Committee, CPC, Chairman, Thomas Atondu outlined the wonderful ideas that the community had put in place to empower Tiv people living in Lagos including to acquire land to build a habitable place for the whole of Tiv Community to be called Ayatutu House, Lagos.

Prof. James Tsaaior who was the guest speaker gave a talk on the topic, “Our Soil, Our Oil”. He emphasised the urgent need for the Tiv people to leverage on their agricultural potentials to make significant socio-economic progress in Nigeria.

The fiesta witnessed award presentations to the House of Representatives member for Gwer East/Gwer West Constituency,  Mr. Asema Achado, Mr. Pius Akutah, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, a philanthropist, Chief  Sylvanus Ghasara,  Prof. Viashima Akaayar, and a friend of the Tiv tribe, Chief Augustine Nwego, amongst others.

The event which had in attendance the Tor Tiv Lagos, HRH Chief Cletus Kukunu, alongside members of the traditional council also witnessed cultural dispalys and beauty contests and the award of prizes to deserving winners.