Starrays
By Austin Asudo and Victor -Abuja.
The Mbajir Forum Abuja (MFA), a socio-cultural association of Tiv indigenes of Benue and Taraba states resident in Abuja held a crucial congress on the 26th, May 2024 at the Ambassador Mrs Ihwakar Hotels, Ado, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State during which the association inaugurated it’s national executives with a charge to the newly elected officials to place the unity, peace and progress of the Mbajir Forum as it’s paramount objective.
The congress was attended by eminent personalities drawn from Benue and Taraba States including the Patron of MFA, the Zege Mule of Shitile, Prince Barry Manasseh Tor-Peva, MFA Ambassador Moses Ihwakar, Peverga Sai Ph.D, Chief Samuel Orhena amongst others.
The brand new exco was inaugurated by a two-man MFA national electoral commitee (MNEC) headed by Chief Moses Agbe and David Shilumun Mela aka Mela Cash as secretary.
The newly inaugurated exco comprised of Samuel Tsav (President), David Shilumun Mela (Vice President), Terngu Abume Nice (Secretary General), Barnabas Sulaun ( Treasurer), Jacob Zaka (Financial Secretary), and Jacob Ornenge as Director of Socials.
The oath of office of the exco members was duly administered by Barr. Terhemen Iber, the legal adviser of the MFA.
The Chairman of the MNEC, Chief Moses Agbe noted that all the exco members were nominated and returned unopposed during the election with the exception of Jacob Zaka who bought the nomination form voluntarily and duly contested for his position and so, called on them to discharge their duties with all sense of responsibility and accountability in order to justify the trust and confidence reposed on them by the entire forum.
Other distinguished personalities that spoke on the occasion harped on the need for unity, co-operation, tolerance, and a shared sense of purpose amongst the MFA membership.
MFA Ambassador Moses Ihwakar has this to say, ”l am quite delighted to be part of the MFA inauguration today and it is a big step forward in order to unite our people and foster more co-operation and integration that will take our people to greater heights.
” The importance of unity cannot be overemphasized as it is crucial for the growth and progress of any community and MFA cannot be an exception.
“So l urge the newly inaugurated exco to be committed and dedicated to their duties as well as carrying all and sundry along in all they do”, the Ambassador advised.
The Patron, in an exclusive chat with the press and his address at the congress said, “About 11 years ago, l came to Abuja to find out that there was no meeting of Tiv indigenes(Mbajir) here and l decided to bring them together to know ourselves and to find out how we can support ourselves as Tiv people in Taraba and Benue states.
” And 11 years after, we are growing from strength to strength and though most of us here are not working, we believe that one day God will provide jobs for them.
“Then, in my own modest way, l will continue to support our people regarding anything they want or require my support so that the meeting can continue to grow and as a community, we can assist our people in Taraba State.
“You know that the Mbajir Forum cut across two states and most of our clan is in Taraba State and you know we have challenges there, ethnic conflicts and most recently bandit attacks.
“So we need to find a lasting solution to these challenges and appeal to our brothers who are involved to lay down their arms and allow peace to reign”, the Patron appealed.
In the view of the President, Taraba Tiv Association, Abuja,Chief Samuel Orhena who is an MFA elder, speaking exclusively with the press, gave his words of wisdom, ”l just want to give a word of advice to my people here in this forum. That they should not rely on themselves alone but put their trust in God Almighty because it is better to trust in God than to trust in man, even yourself.
“Because if you trust in yourself, you have limitations but if you trust in God, He will be the one to uplift you.
” So l want the leadership of the exco to put the unity of the forum first. Once they bring every member together we shall stand but when the house is divided, it will fall.
” So the new exco should focus on unity and togetherness”, he stated.
In a related development, Peverga Sai Ph.D also tasked them on Patience, understanding, cooperation, humility and unity as key to their success as the new exco. stressing that it takes patience to work with Mbajir people because “sometimes, they could be annoying” he observed.
After the new exco inauguration, and speeches from the outgoing President, Barnabas Sulaun and incoming President, Samuel Nyitamen Tsav, the “Magatakarda”of Mbajir, eminent personalities and distinguished guests present, the MNEC chairman, Chief Moses Agbe formally declared the occasion open for entertainment, food, refreshments including pounded yam, chicken, bush meat, fish, goat meat, soft drinks, other drinks, wine and other assorted refreshments as the historic day wore down in the Tiv spirit of unity, togetherness, tolerance and mutual co-operation and dialogue. To God be the Glory .
