The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, has been elected Chairman of the Northern Christian Traditional Rulers Forum.
The election took place during the Second Northern Christian Stakeholders’ Forum and Solemn Assembly organised by the Stephanos Foundation at the Glory Dome of Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Ayatse expressed gratitude to members of the forum for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to lead with humility, integrity and the fear of God.
The monarch said his leadership would prioritise fostering unity among Christian communities while strengthening peaceful engagement with moderate Muslim leaders committed to justice, peace and religious freedom.
“As a nation, we must prepare to work together. We are not gathered for war; we are gathered for the sake of peace in this nation,” he said.
Ayatse outlined key priorities that will guide his tenure as chairman of the forum.
He said the forum would continue to advocate for vulnerable communities affected by violence, killings, displacement, oppression and the destruction of lives and property across Northern Nigeria.
He also pledged to strengthen collaboration among Christian traditional rulers, church leaders and ethnic groups to address security and humanitarian challenges confronting the region.
In addition, the new chairman said the forum would engage diplomatic missions, development partners and international organisations to draw greater attention to the plight of vulnerable and persecuted communities.
Speaking at the event, the Convener of the forum and Programme Coordinator of the Stephanos Foundation, Engr. Mark Lipdo, said the gathering was convened to develop a unified response to the worsening security situation in Northern Nigeria.
According to him, data compiled by the foundation over the past 25 years recorded more than 9,000 violent incidents, resulting in over 79,000 deaths and the displacement of more than 500 communities.
He identified Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Zamfara, Niger, Rivers, Delta and Kaduna among the states most affected by insecurity.
The stakeholders’ forum brought together Christian traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for promoting peace, security, justice and religious freedom across Northern Nigeria.
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