The TIV in Taraba State have pledged to join Gov Darius Dickson Ishaku in finding permanent solution to the crisis between them and their neighbours in the southern parts of the statde.
The new president of the Tiv Cultural Association, Mr Joshua Ayagwa made the pledge in Jalingo when he led the new executive members of the association on a thank you visit to Gov Ishaku in Government House.
Ayagwa thanked Gov Ishaku for all he has been doing to make the Tiv in Taraba feel at home and apologized for the poor attitude and behaviour of some of their members in the past.
He promised a change approach under his leadership and urged Ishaku to forgive their erring members.
Ayagwa thanked Ishaku for his efforts in rehabilitating people displaced by the crisis and promised the support of his group for the committee the Governor had set up to actualize the programme.
Responding, Governor Ishaku assured the Tiv in Taraba State of the determination of his administration to find a permanent solution to the crisis between them and their neighbours in Southern parts of the state.
Governor Ishaku told the group that there was nothing to be gained from persistent fighting and killings between the Tiv and the other tribal groups in the area.
He blamed the fighting on those he described as merchants of chaos and advised them not to listen to such people. “They will encourage you to fight and even provide the incentives for you to continue but I want to assure you that there’s nothing to gain from this fighting.”
He said the solution to the crisis is within the state and urged the people to join him in looking inwards for this solution.
He described Taraba State as a mini Nigeria with many ethnic groups living together and noted that Taraba is also home for the Tiv. He urged them to take Taraba State as their home and not as a place of residence. “I want you to regard Taraba as home and to show a determination to live in Taraba State peacefully and forever. Together we can find the solution to all our problems from within.”
Ishaku congratulated the Tiv in Taraba State for conducting a peaceful convention that produced the new leadership and urged them to endeavour to keep the Tor Tiv abreast of the progress they were making in Taraba State. He said it was better for them to seek advice from the Tor Tiv than do so from politicians who will mislead them by encouraging them to continue fighting.
Ishaku also assured them that all the people displaced by the crisis would be rehabilitated and noted that the process of doing so has already started.
Also speaking, Bridget Tua, Commissioner for Social Development said the group came on behalf of all Tiv in Taraba State to thank the Governor for supporting and encouraging the Tiv in the state
. Story by Bala Dan Abu
Special Adviser to the Governor
(Media and Publicity,)
