March 19, (THEWILL) – The Special Adviser to the Governor on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Benue state, Mr Denen Aondoakaa, has challenged the newly elected first class ruler, the Tor Jerchira, HRH, Chief Edward Ujege, to be in the vanguard of promoting unity and cultural identity of people of his domain.
The Special Adviser, who threw the challenge after the conclusion of the selection process in which Engr Ujege emerged the winner as witnessed by other personalities, including Directors of the Bureau, kingmakers from Jerchira, Secretary to the Tiv Traditional Council, representative of the Tor Tiv, HRH Tor-LOBI Chief, Moses Anagende, among others.
He explained that the transparent selection processes witnessed in the ongoing exercise of filling vacant positions of traditional rulers in Benue State was at the instance of Governor Alia, and in line with the Benue State Chieftaincy law.
The Special Adviser, therefore, called on the new paramount ruler, Engr Edward Ujege, to use his wealth of experience as a retired Director of Federal Highways with the Federal Ministry of Works as well as, the former President General of the Tiv socio-cultural body, the Mzough U Tiv, to rule the Jechira Component with the fear of God.
He appreciated Governor Hyacinth Alia for the provision of the needed resources and the enabling environment for the successful conduct of the events.
Representative of the Tor-Tiv, the Tor-Lobi, HRH, Chief Moses Anagende, who congratulated Chief Ujege, also presented to him the Certificate of Return and a cover letter from the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as a mark of victory.
Chief Anageende advised fellow contestants of the stool and the good people of Jechira to support the new monarch to succeed in the task of promoting peace, unity and cultural identity in the area.
The Chairman of Vandeikya Local Government Council, Hon. Dennis Guda, thanked Governor Hyacinth Alia for ensuring a transparent selection exercise of Tor Jerchira, congratulated the winner, and eulogised the Tor Tiv, HRM, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, and the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, led by Mr Denen Aondoakaa, for effective coordination.
He assured the Tor-Jechira elect of the maximum support of the council for him to deliver on the mandate in the course of duty.
During the selection, Sir George Wegba scored 2 votes, Arc. (Dr) Gabriel Iwua Sen, 1 vote, Timothy Tyoanande Gungul, 2 votes, Engr. Michael Zungu, 1 vote, Chief Engr. Edward Ujege, polled 19 votes respectively.
Similarly, results from the selection of the District Head of Mbayongo, in Vandeikya local Government area indicate that Mr Ierver Iange got 1 vote, while Mr Iormough Wayo got 14 votes and was declared the winner.
THEWILL recalls that the occupant of the position of Tor Jerchira, HRH Chief Clement Uganden died last year thereby paving the way for his replacement.
