Buhari, Jonathan, Kalu Mourn Tor Tiv, Inua Wada
President Muhammadu Buhari and predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan have expressed sadness on the passing away of the paramount ruler of the Tiv people in Benue State and Tor Tiv, Alfred Akawe Torkula.
Buhari also expressed saddness over the passing of a former Minister of Defence in the First Republic, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuw
In separate condolences, the president commiserated with the immediate families, friends and associates of the deceased, the governments and people of Benue and Kano States and urged them to take solace in the knowledge that the departed distinguished Nigerians lived well and contributed significantly to the development of not only their states but the country in general.
A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari noted that the fourth Tor Tiv was a great advocate of peace and unity during his 24-year reign.
The president urged the Tivs to maintain the existing peace during and after the succession process.
On Alhaji Wada, the president recalled with pride his active years as a renowned teacher, parliamentarian and minister up until his post-political career as a foremost transporter and industrialist.
“The president prays that God Almighty grants rest to the souls of the two senior citizens whose wisdom and fatherly counsel will certainly be missed by the current crop of leaders in the country,” the statement added.
On his part, former President Jonathan expressed sadness over the death of Torkula, describing him as a reformist whose candour encouraged peaceful co-existence of different ethnic nationalities in Benue State.
In a letter of condolence to his family and Benue State Government Jonathan said: “The late Tor Tiv was a great reformist and peace lover whose peopleoriented leadership and candour ensured the establishment of peaceful co-existence in Tiv Land, Benue State, and the entireregion.
“He will also be remembered as a celebrated spiritual guide of his people, who not only served as a true custodian of Tiv’s rich culture and tradition, but also worked diligently for the creation of more districts in his domain.
“He will indeed be missed by his family, the good people of Tiv Land, Benue State and the entire nation.”
Similarly, former Governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, has described the late Tor Tiv, Dr. Alfred Torkula IV, as a peace-loving monarch whose era will not be easily forgotten in the history of Benue State.
He noted that the late first-class traditional ruler contributed to the socio-political development of Nigeria through his counsel on national unity.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “The demise of His Royal Majesty, Dr. Alfred Torkula IV, the Tor Tiv is painful and disheartening considering the fact that he died when his vast wealth of wisdom was needed in Benue State and Nigeria as a whole. He was humble, humane, forthright and selfless. The late Tiv monarch used his resources to improve the well being of his people and was committed to a fair society. During his era, Benue witnessed unprecedented development in all ramifications. May God grant the Tiv monarch, a blissful rest.”