THE
INTERVIEW with Tor Jechira
Recently members of the press club of middle
belt Academy Vandeikya, Benue state paid a courtesy call to Tor Jechira; His Royar
majesty Chief Clement Kparevfa Uganden, at his Vandeikya residents/palace to conduct
an interview with him. In the interview the first class chief spoke to the
editor-in-chief, Asen Sesugh Collins colobrown, Mr. Agundu luter Benedict (the
media director of the M. B. A. press), pastor Josheph Iorliam (one of the press
staff editorial members), and miss. Terna Gloria mlumun (The vice president of
the press club), and miss innocent nguervese faith, (The president of the press
club). On a wide range of issues including how he emerges as Jechira paramount
ruler, his plans for the good people of Jechira, the issue of land and lots
more.
Press club: our royal majesty sir, we
are the members of the press club of middle belt academy vandiekya, Benue state;
we are here to have a chat with you on a wide range of issues which shall be
published in the magazine.
HRM: you are welcome, what are the
issues?
Press club: our royal majesty sir,
could you please give us a profile of your personality, bearing in mind when
and where you were born, educational background and other things you may wish
that we know about you?
HRM: I hail mbaakange, I was
born in 1949 in mabaakanke, vandeikya local government of Benue state, my
father was tyoor mbaakanke iv. He ruled between 1982-1992. My primary school I
left in primary six (6), to mount Saint Michaels secondary school Aliade and
finished in 1968. I also did my HSC at the school and finished in1970. After
there I was admitted at the University of Ibadan and I graduated in 1973 with a
second class upper degree in geology. After working for a while, I further went
back to the University of Cambridge and obtained post graduate diploma in land
economy, I also have master’s degree in land economy. I went to the best
schools, education in those days. You have to be sound before you go there. I
went to the best schools which afforded me the opportunities to lease with the
best minds.
Press club: his royal majesty sir, we
are aware that many people were interested in the stool of the Tor Jechira,
what motivated you to contest for the throne?
HRM: well, it is interesting
really because I did not really know of anything like that. But I think from my
attributes, character, contributions, I was invited by some people within the
Jechira community that such a thing exists, and they think I wound be a wonderful
candidate. So I accepted the invitation and I came in. of course they were many
contestants that were interested but, God
wanted someone like me who was not as good as others people to use me to
be an example to others, so I have accepted and become Tor Jechira.
Press club: congratulation, once more
again sir, we learnt that the konshisha people were insisting that it was their
right to ascend the throne of tor Jechira. Now that you have been selected, are
you in good terms with them?
HRM: yes, I have met the
chiefs and title holders in various communities in Jechira, we hold our
meetings four times a year, for now we are working together very amicably. I
had a good rapport with all of them even before now.
Press club: our royal majesty sir, as
the paramount leader of the Jechira, what are your attempts to bring peace
among traditional stools in serious conflicts, when it occurs?
HRM: well, conflicts don’t
normally occur but one of our aims is to bring peace among the traditional
stool, especially in the settlement of disputes, we intervene and handle
everything amicably.
Press club: our royal majesty sir, on
the issue of land perhaps when it comes to the government investment promotion
strategy, part of the controversy lies in the sale of government land to
private sector investors, is this appropriate for the government to do?
HRM: well, land owned in the
olden day was by first clearance, until around 1978 that the government issued
a degree that land must be owned with a certificate of ownership, and we the
traditional leaders only come in when dispute occurs. We handle such issues
perfectly.
Press club: our royal majesty sir,
what are your attempts to handle education and the challenges of moral
decadence, especially to those who lack the sponsorship of going to school here
in Jechira?
HRM: education is very crucial
and must be considerable, each father and mother bears the responsibility of sponsoring
the children’s to school, well; before I become Tor Jechira children who
luckily had the opportunities at that time, my major problem to tackle now is
for my people to stop living in ached houses but good places to rest. The government
has lot of financial challenges to sponsor/offer to children, but parents
should try their best to make sure their children are educated.
Press club: His Royal Majesty Sirs,
one of your daughters that is here with us also have a question for you. (The
vice president of the press club little misses. Terna Gloria Mlumum).
HRM: my daughter, are you
going to ask me a question in Tiv language or English language?
The vice president: his royal majesty
sir, ter kunav recently in an interview the with the press star magazine, says
that we should encourage the study of sciences because we are a little bit
deficient in sciences; what is your view about this?
HRM: well, stand with the Ter Kunav;
sciences is a great impact to the society, I myself studied sciences when I was
in secondary school, it was only in the university that I read geology and land
economics, but I still recommend sciences, I established one primary and
secondary school at ASOKORO ABUJA, (Divine mercy primary and secondary school);
and sciences is highly considered in the school. Presently now; I handed over
the school to my daughter who is also from the department of sciences, so I
cherish science education and encourages my children to study.
The press club (the president the
press club misses. Nguavese faith): His Royal Majesty sir, the Jechira
people are having some challenges especially on the issue of social amenities
like electricity, water and many others, what are your attempts to handle this
issue?
HRM: well, our duty is to advice
the government to make provision of social amenities for our people, I Tor Jechira
makes an attempt for assisting my people of mbaakange, from uganden road to my
palace which I install electricity pole for people connection of light to my
home town, the contract is now a success. We don’t have money to make provision
of social amenities, we only advice the government to handle it for us.
Press club: his royal majesty sir,
how can you rate our school M.B.A press as well as your advice to the teachers
and school management?
HRM: Well, I can’t rate your
school until I visit, the school, maybe I we officially rate your school, but
my advice to the teachers is to be more hardworking as the press club members
are representing the school excellently, the management should always motivate
the teachers to give their best to the children, and parents should make
provision of required materials to their children for effective learning.
Press club: on a lighter mood, your
majesty, one day maybe a group may wish to host you, so we may like to know
your favorite food.
HRM: (laughs) well, I am a Tiv
man, I used to eat pounded yam with a lot of vegetable soup but of age now so
starch is not good to my system. So I eat everything I see but considering my
age and what is good for my health.
Press club: Thank you so much sir for
giving us your time despite your tight schedule, we hope that when we give this
to the public, they will be happy to read and know about your views.
HRM: it’s a pleasure, go well
my children.
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