By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Dr George Akume has urged the Tiv community in Taraba to maintain their peaceful coexistence amongst themselves and their neighbours in the state.
Akume gave the advice on Sunday at the Traditional Chieftaincy Award Ceremony in honour of Chief Dr John Tor-Agbidye and Chief Mrs Awashima Tor-Agbidye held in Tor-Damisa, Donga Local Government area of Taraba State.
Represented by Dr Francis Kyenge, Director of Administration in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Akume said that it was only where there is peace that development could be achieved.
The SGF commended the Tiv community for honouring Tor-Agbidye whom he described as an embodiment of scientific and medical knowledge of the present generation.
He encouraged him to continue his services to humanity, adding that his contributions to global medicare and his services to humanity would be indelible in the life of human society.
Earlier, Chief David Gbaa, Chairman, Tiv Traditional Leaders Council said that Dr Tor-Agbidye’s services to the mankind had earned him the traditional title of ‘Atakpa U Tiv’ and his wife as ‘Ityegh Ki Atakpa’. Gbaa translated the titles as the ‘medicinal cure of Tiv in Taraba’ and the ‘medicinal pot of Tiv in Taraba’ respectively.
He described Dr Tor-Agbidye as the famous and indispensable driver in human medicare, adding that the presentation of such award was in recognition of his numerous contributions to Tiv in Taraba in particular and the humanity in general.
Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha, former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 governorship election in the state acknowledged that the recognition of Tor-Agbidye was a result of hardwork, dedication and commitment to selfless service.
Bwacha described Tor-Agbidye as an icon of scientific innovation and discovery in Nigeria.
He encouraged citizens to visit In- country medicare facility Abuja, a centre for Cancer Treatment and Advocacy where they would appreciate his charisma in human medicine.
He commended the Tiv community for finding Tor-Agbidye worthy to be conferred with the title of Atakpa.
In his remark, Tor-Agbidye, who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of In-country Medicare and the recipient of the award thanked the Tiv leadership for finding him worthy to be conferred with the title of Atakpa.
While promising to support the Tiv community in all dealings, he vowed not to let his people down.
Our Correspondent reports that Prof. Steve Ugba member of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Prof. Simon Abochol of Yakubu Gowon University Abuja amongst many guests attended the event.
