TOR TIV : AN OPEN CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO TOR TIV THE 5Th PROFESSOR JAMES AYATSE AND MY HUMBLE ADVICE.

Your RH Prof James AYATSE I am writing to congratulate you on this new elevation as the paramount leader of the Tiv people world wide; and to offer my humble bundle of advice.

I know you as a committed and successful academic who has held the highest positions in the profession within Nigeria, including being the Vice Chancellor in two separate Federal Universities at different times.

I also believe, that you have the qualities to lead the Tiv people effectively even at the traditional level if you are determined.

As a Christian, I believe that Leaders are made by God and for at least one specific purpose. Your elevation as the Paramount leader of the Tiv people at this time is by Devine design and I believe that the mission includes to unite the overly divided Tiv nation, to effectively harness the relevant democratic benefits due to the Tivs, in Nigeria.

May the Good Lord give you wisdom similar to that which was given to Solomon of the Bible, to effectively execute this enormous traditional leadership task. Congratulations once again Prof Jame AYATSE( HRH, Tor Tiv the 5th).

My humble bundle of advice regarding the renovation of Tor Tiv's palace in Gboko and free offer of temporary property by Senator George Akume.

To effectively unite the Tiv people, you must be completely
apolitical because there are different political parties ( eg APC and PDP) with effective players operating in Tiv land your Highness Prof J AYATSE.

Being apolitical while dispensing your responsibilities in the office of the Tor Tiv is the primary way that you would earn the relevant respect of your subjects- the effective majority of the Tiv people world wide.

I have read that a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator George Akume who is the Senator representing Zone B Senatorial constituency of Benue State( APC), has offered you his property in Gboko, to live and execute your duties as the Tor Tor the 5th, because the Tor Tiv palace is being renovated.

My humble bundle of advice on this offer and the renovation of the palace, is itemized below:

1. You don't need the Tor Tiv's palace to be renovated for weeks or expensively to occupy, when your subjects are suffering poverty and lack of payment of their salaries; which is justified always by lack of government funds. Our Lord Jesus was born in a manger and did not live in the most expensive mansions of the time while leading his disciples and preaching love, tolerance, forgiveness and repentance to the world.

2. You should not accept a house owned by one of the key players in one of the political parties( APC in this case) in Tiv land to occupy and operate as the Tor Tiv otherwise your neutrality will be automatically questioned by those in other political parties like the PDP.

3. I know that you have a befitting home in Makurdi the state capital ( also in Tiv land) and if there is any need at all, for a prolonged period
of renovation of the Tor Tiv palace in Gboko ( in your opinion ), you can stay effectively in your home in Makurdi and open the home up as the temporary "Tor Tiv the 5th's palace". I believe that objective Tiv people will prefer this action to you moving into Senator Akume, an APC chieftain's property in Gboko where your independence and neutrality as a Tiv paramount leader will become questionable.

4. Whatever it will take under the law, Your Royal Highness Prof J Ayatse, my humble advice is that you must maintain your neutrality in this traditional leadership responsibility; and independence from politicians especially those whose penchant for controlling their "beneficiaries"( even if claimed to be a freely offered temporary residential home ), is known in Tiv land.

Wishing you a successful traditional leadership all the way Prof James Ayatse ( Tor Tiv the 5th). Dr Doris Ngurumum