The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Alfred Emberga, has applauded the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC) for conferring the honorific Chieftaincy Title of Asortar U Tiv (The Reformer of the Tiv Nation) on Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
According to a statement made available by Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Zape Upaa, he described the title as a recognition of Governor Alia’s visionary leadership, patriotism, commitment to reforms, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance in Benue State, particularly within the Tiv Nation.
The Speaker stated that the conferment is a rare privilege and reflects the confidence the Tiv traditional institution has in the Governor.
Emberga commended the Tiv Area Traditional Council, under the leadership of Tor-Tiv V, Professor James Ayatse, for sustaining the values, norms, unity, and cultural heritage of the Tiv nation.
Here’s the edited text with grammatical corrections:
“The title of Asortar U Tiv reflects the transformational strides of Governor Alia in repositioning Benue State through purposeful leadership, moral rectitude, and people-oriented policies. This honour further affirms his role as a bridge-builder, redeemer, and reformer of our society,” the statement stated.
He also congratulated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, on his conferment with the chieftaincy title of ‘Zegebar U Tiv’, describing it as a recognition of his outstanding contributions to national development, party growth, and leadership reforms, and the positive impacts he has made on the Tiv nation.
Rt. Hon. Emberga further extended congratulations to other notable Nigerians, as well as illustrious sons and daughters of Benue State, who were similarly honoured with various chieftaincy titles, noting that the recognitions bring to the fore the Tiv people’s enduring culture of honouring excellence, selfless service, and integrity, and dignity of those who deserve it.
He commended the Tiv Area Traditional Council, under the leadership of the Tor-Tiv V, Professor James Ayatse, for sustaining the values, norms, unity, and cultural heritage of the Tiv nation, while calling on the honoured personalities to continue to serve as worthy ambassadors of the Tiv people.
The chieftaincy conferment ceremony was held on Saturday, 13th December, 2025, at J.S. Tarka Stadium, Gboko, the headquarters of the Tiv people.
Meanwhile, the Tiv Area Traditional Council has also conferred on renowned Nigerian Philanthropist, Chief David Kente, the honorific Chieftaincy Title of “Zege-Igba-U-Tiv” (Great Kinsman of the Tiv).
The ceremony took place recently at the JS Tarka Stadium in Gboko, Benue State, with his wife, Chief Mrs. Esther Kente, receiving the title of Ichivir-I-Zege-Igba.
Kente, known for his humility and compassion, was the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State and is also the Founder of DSK Foundation, an NGO promoting peace and development.
His organisation has championed peace efforts in the North East, carried out community works through drilling of boreholes, building bridges, supply of drugs to health centres, free medical outreaches, and care for the vulnerable in Benue, Taraba, and beyond.
