Glorious Tiv Day. from Smilez's [ channel ]

Glorious Tiv Day.
Having established themselves as the most populous group and predominant force occupying the Benue Valley before the arrival of the British. The British failed to recognized and respect the cultural homogeneity and political distinctiveness of the Tiv people. Contrary to what exited elsewhere in Nigeria at that time.. Tiv were split and annexed with other non Tiv speaking people's. The manner in which the Tiv people were split up and annexed with non Tiv did not auger well for political, economic and social development. The British brought numerous administrative changes to suit their total control over the Tiv people. They thought the best well to rule Tiv nation is by having Tiv split in different groups. The last of such was, when eleven ityar (Turan, Ugondo, Mbagen, Shitire etc) were brought under the same jurisdiction of Aku Wukari. This action was vehemently resented by the prominent Tiv sons. The annexation of the eleven ityar to Jukun territory was a "dismal fiasco". They did not acknowledge the Aku of Wukari as their leader and contained to treat him and his officials very contemptuously. Couple with other factors, the first Tiv Central Council was inaugurated in 1927 but excluded the Utor from the eleven clans under the jurisdiction of Aku if Wukari. Also the chairman was Audu Dan Afoda ( a nupe man). The council cause an effects the withdrawal of the eleven ityar from the Jukun rule. "The dehumanization and treatment of our people as second class citizens was ended. The first liberation gave Tiv leaders and power to put more pressure on the Colonial administration for the appointment of a paramount Chief to rule Tiv as was the case of elsewhere in Nigeria " The realization of this dream was on 19th September 1946, the son of the soil, Makir was chosen as the first Tor Tiv and His inauguration took place in 1947, that is why 19 Sept. Is regarded as TIV DAY worldwide.
10 months ago