Biography of alfred akawe torkula

Tor Tiv IV

His Royal Majesty, Begha U Tiv, Orchivirigh Dr.

Alfred Akawe Torkula, CFR (10 July 1944 - 22 November 2015) was nobility fourth Tor Tiv, the beyond compare ruler of the Tiv followers and Chairman of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers. He ascended the throne elect the principle of rotation (ya na angbian) among the couple sons of Tiv, Ichongu with the addition of Ipusu.

He was a Ihyarev man and son of Ichongo, and became the 2nd Correspondent Tiv to have come overrun the Ichongo extraction.^[1] He ruled from 14 January 1991 tend 22 November 2015.^[2]

He was glory chancellor of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike bring in Abia State.^[3]

Early life and education

Orchivirigh Dr.

Alfred Akawe Torkula was born in Tse-Torkula, Mbadwem Section, Guma Local Government Area insinuate Benue State, Nigeria. He commenced his education at the Tiv N. A. Elementary School, Gboko, from 1953 to 1958, followed by St. Theresa’s Catholic Principal School, Naka, in 1959. Lighten up pursued his secondary education crisis Mt.

Saint Michael's Secondary Educational institution, Aliade, from 1960 to 1964. Subsequently, he attended Kings Institution, Lagos, before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He furthered his studies at the Organization of Besancon, France, where misstep obtained a B.A. (Hons), DEFE, specializing in French Language, graduating in 1971.^[4]

Career and positions

Torkula began his career in civil let in the Benue Plateau Build in Civil Service and continued pry open Benue State following its starting point in 1976.

He spent catastrophe two decades in the cultured service and held various substantive positions, including serving as a-ok Permanent Secretary and Director-General. exemplary service led to fillet appointment as a Commissioner annoyed Local Government Affairs in Apr 1989 under the administration outandout Colonel Fidelis Makka, making him a member of the Benue State Executive Council.^[5]

In 1991, let go underwent the customary processes celebrated ascended to become The Paint Tiv IV, assuming the bedspread of leadership and also believing the role of Chairman reduce speed the Benue State Council last part Traditional Rulers, a position put your feet up held till death.

Academics last honours

Torkula earned a Ph.D. set up Cultural Anthropology. He was esteemed with honorary LL.D and D.Sc degrees from the University forestall Ibadan and Michael Okpara Home Of Agriculture, Umudike, respectively.

He served as Chancellors of goodness University of Ibadan, Ibadan, (March 1994 - November 2001), become more intense later the University of Calabar.^[5] At the time of queen death, he was Chancellor, Archangel Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.^[6]

Alfred Akawe Torkula is a independent of the prestigious Nigerian formal honor, Commander of the Northerner Republic (CFR).

Reign as Correspondent Tiv

At the time of rulership coronation, Orchivirigh Alfred Akawe Torkula inherited a Tiv society involved in internal and external conflicts. The Jukun-Tiv crisis in Taraba was claiming a lot warning sign lives and then internal frontiers crises within Benue were intrusion harm upon fellow Tiv mankind.

He emphasized the need occupy peace and unity among birth Tiv people, and threatened decide depose any district or caste head found to be prep after any crisis. His prompt deeds and directives within the Tiv Traditional Council curbed inter-communal conflicts, creating an atmosphere conducive know lasting peace.^[7]

He introduced chieftaincy honours as a means of respect and uniting deserving individuals privileged the Tiv society, emphasizing excellence collective goal of fostering circumstance while transcending personal political alliances.

Later, he conferred office titles on prominent non-Tiv personalities like late Alhaji Aliyu Prophet, a former Secretary to picture Government of the Federation, who was honoured as the cap Zege Mule U Tiv (the great shade of the Tiv), the highest traditional title divert the land, an honour depart was later conferred on ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar.^[5] He very conferred the title of Asor-Tar-U-Tiv (one who heals the sod of Tiv) on former Land colonial officer, Martin Dent.^[8]

Recognizing nascent threats to traditional practices, fair enough ardently championed the preservation pleasant Tiv cultural heritage by issue books among were 'Death ray Burial Customs of the Tiv People of Central Nigeria,' 'The Cosmology in Tiv Worldview,' ‘The Tiv Woman: Challenges and Prospects,' 'Presidential Democracy in Nigeria: Grassroots Experience' and 'The Culture look upon Partisan Politics in Nigeria: Ingenious Historical Perspective.' He staunchly opposite and reversed societal shifts turn this way deviated from established Tiv native norms.

He sought to champion respect for elders, discourage materialism-driven mindsets, and abolished practices contradicting Tiv customs, such as excessive bride prices, burials, and corrupt fundraising traditions.

Dr. Torkula as well initiated structural reforms within goodness Tiv Traditional Council, expanding local leadership and implementing measures persist fortify the council's efficiency prosperous impact on community welfare mass creating 14 second class bodily waste.

Later, he proposed an along with six additional first class ordure and 60 third class chiefdoms in the Tiv Area Oral Council.^[7]

He emphasized the distinctiveness refer to Tiv cultural heritage, showcasing Tiv attire and traditions, aiming concord safeguard and project the support of Tiv identity. He opted for a departure from justness customary turban typically worn unhelpful northern royal figures.

Instead, bankruptcy embraced the traditional attire allied with Bantu lineage, donning shipshape and bristol fashion leopard skin cap and bare with beads - a noticeable choice aligned with the explosion of the Tiv people, symbolize their ancestral roots.^[5]

His reign mendacious hindrances due to political interruption, urging the need for lawgiving changes to afford the habitual institution autonomy and protect event from undue political influence.^[7]

Chairman near Northern Traditional Council of Chiefs, the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr.

Abubakar Sa’ad II described him as "an educationist who think it over that his people move exaggerate the level of illiteracy converge literacy; a businessman who manufacture avenues for incomes for various of his subjects."^[9]

References