Tor Tiv coronation to begin March 1st

The central planning committee for the coronation of the new Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Professor James Ayatse, has said that activities would commence on March 1st and end on Saturday, March 4, 2017.

Atatse emerged Tor Tiv in an election in, December, 2016.

A former military governor of old Anambra and Benue States, retired General Atom Kpera, who is the chairman of the committee announced this yesterday at the Mdzough U’ Tiv House in Gboko, Benue State.

According to General Kpera and the secretary of the coronation committee who doubles as Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Titus Zam, the activities would begin with traditional celebrations by all five intermediary areas of the Tiv nation.

Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that the Jechirah and Jemgbagh intermediary areas would converge on Gboko to kick start the event on Wednesday, March 1st and by the following day, the Minda kindred would take their turn, then, the Kwande and Sankera areas would do their bits on Friday, March 3.

Our correspondent gathered that on Saturday the coronation and issuance of staff to the monarch would be performed by Governor Samuel Ortom.

He urged the entire Tiv nation both at home and in Diaspora to participate in the event alongside visitors from all walks of life.

The committee’s chairman, while fielding questions from journalists, said the new royal father would be sworn into office with the Holy Bible instead of the traditional god of the Tiv people, known as Swem.

General Kpera said the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, had already donated 100 cows as part of his contribution to the ceremony.