By Christiana Ekpa
A former controller general of prisons, Abraham Iyorker Akpe has called on professionals in Tivland to bring their wealth of experience and connections to bear on the development of Benue state.
He made the call in Abuja at the Annual General Meeting of the OnTiv Professionals Association, corps d’elite of Tivland, where prominent sons and daughters of the state were also honoured.
Akpe, who was chairman of the occasion, charged professionals of Tivland, both at home and in the diaspora to identify with developments at home and not to stay away.
Speaking at the occasion, the President General of Tiv socio-cultural association, Mzough U Tiv, Chief Iorbee Ihagh, called for the revival of the Teaching of Tiv language in schools in the state.
He lamented that the speaking of the language among the Tiv people was unfortunately declining, as most parents were no longer teaching their children the language.
He said a Tiv man was distinguished by his language and advised the diaspora Tiv to embrace the language.
“When I came into office, I discovered that the Tiv language was gradually dying, as most of our children would not speak the language. Today, I want ro report that Tiv language is taught in all schools across the State”, he stated.
In his welcome address, the haian of OnTiv Professionals Association, Deputy Corps Marshal Julius Atom (rtd)) said the economic, social, security and development challenges facing the Tiv nation have brought to the fore the need for a community-based professional association.
He said “OnTivis a veritable platform that could be used to drive the engine of development in Tivland. It could also serve as the vehicle through which Tiv professionals could share their experiences, resources and proffer solutions that could assist government at all levels in understanding of social, e economic and security challenges facing theTiv nation at hone and abroad”
A cording to him, “With the ongoing political activities in the country, there is the greater need for our elite to come together irrespective of their political differences to chart a common developmental paradigm that could maximize our contributions and benefits drivable from the dividends of democracy.”
