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By Godwin Akor
Monday, December 13, 2004
MAKURDI - EDO State governor, Mr Lucky Igbinedion, has instituted a scholarship scheme for Tiv sons and daughters in institutions of learning with the sum of N5 million. The governor and his wife, Eki who were conferred with honorary chieftaincy titles of Zege Gbenda U Tiv (The Great Way for the Tiv People ) and Mdoo U Zege Gbenda U Tiv (Source of Inspiration for The Great way for the Tiv People) respectively by the Tor Tiv, His Rotal Highness, Dr Akawe Torkula, in Gboko on Saturday, said the scholarship scheme was part of the several things he would do for the Tiv nation. "We promise to live up to the responsibilities and expectations that accompany the award of these titles. We shall work assiduously to build further bridges of understanding and cooperation between Edo and Benue states", Igbinedion assured, saying historically, the Niger-Benue confluence area has been identified as a point of migration of the Edo people, so, himself and his wife were naturally being received back home by the Tor Tiv.
Igbinedion further remarked that the recognition of their services across rivers Niger and Benue in a part of Nigeria that has produced such nationalist figures like the great J.S. Tarka showed that the country was getting close to the ideal of appreciating merit no matter where the individual comes from. He said Edo State, as a strong believer in merit, has made a notable son of Benue, Mr Godwin Uwua, the Coach of the Premier League Club, Insurance Football Club of Benin. The Edo State governor pointed out that citizens of other states were also serving in various capacities in his government, adding that recently, a non-indigene was appointed permanent secretary and solicitor-general of the state.
Earlier, the Tor Tiv who also conferred the honorary chieftaincy titles of Tor-Fan-Bol-U-Tiv (Football Coaching Guru for the Tiv) and Agirigi-U-Tor-Fan-Bol-U-Tiv (Field for theFootball Coaching Guru for the Tiv) on Coach Godwin Uwua and his wife, Rebecca, said the event marked yet another milestone in the Tiv Traditional Council’s efforts to build bridges of understanding, peaceful co-existence, good neigbourliness, friendship, and solidarity across the length and breath of the country."
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