The Tiv Area Traditional Council, in a historic Tiv Cultural Day celebration held at the JS Tarka Stadium, Gboko, Benue State, conferred Tiv honorific chieftaincy titles on eighteen prominent Nigerians, including Chief Dr Paul Edeh, Benue State Governor Rev Father Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.
The honours were approved by the Tiv Area Traditional Council and conferred under the authority of the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse CFR.
While conferring the titles on Chief Edeh and his wife Chief Mrs Paula Paul-Edeh, the Tor Tiv declared, “By the powers conferred on me, I confer on you the title of Wandoo U Dedoo U Tiv, Good Neighbour of the Tiv Nation. And your wife, Paula Edeh, Ashegbenda U Wandoo U Dedoo U Tiv, the dependable wife of the Good Neighbour of the Tiv Nation.”
Earlier in his speech, the Tor Tiv explained that the honours were conferred on individuals whose public conduct and engagements consistently reflected goodwill, peaceful coexistence, and respect for Tiv culture and values. He noted that character, service, and commitment to unity formed the basis for the approval of the titles by the Tiv Area Traditional Council.
Other honourees at the event included former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam and his wife, alongside other distinguished personalities drawn from public service, politics, academia, and community leadership.
Chief Edeh, paid glowing tribute to both the His Royal Majesty, Orcivirigh Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv and the Paramount Ruler of the Tiv Nation and His Royal Majesty, Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John CON, PFD, Ph.D, Paramount Ruler of Idoma Nation who was represented by HRH George Edeh, acknowledging their fatherly impact in his life, Benue State, and the entire country. Speaking after the conferment, Chief Edeh described the honour as historic and deeply humbling.
“I stand here fully aware that I am the first Idoma son in the history of the Tiv Nation to be honoured with this title. I do not take it for granted. It is a responsibility that I accept with humility and a clear sense of duty,” he said.
He added that the recognition would be deployed to strengthen inter ethnic understanding and cooperation.
“This honour will serve as a bridge. I intend to use it to further close the gaps that sometimes exist between the Tiv and Idoma peoples and to promote peace, trust, and sincere neighbourliness,” he stated.
Chief Edeh also commended the Tiv Area Traditional Council for the honour and pledged to live up to the moral demands of the title.
“A title of this nature requires that one lives above board. I am committed to conducting myself in a manner that reflects the values, discipline, and unity that the Tiv Nation represents,” he said.
At the event, Chief Edeh announced a donation of Ten Million Naira in support of education and cultural preservation. He explained that Five Million Naira was donated to the Tiv Educational Trust Fund, while another Five Million Naira was committed to the launching of the Tiv Dictionary, a cultural and linguistic project aimed at preserving the Tiv language for future generations.
Chief Edeh is also a holder of the chieftaincy title of Oojela K’Idoma, meaning Generosity or liberality of Idoma Kingdom. The title was conferred on him by the Idoma Area Traditional Council under the authority of His Royal Majesty, Agaba Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John CON PFD PhD, the Och Idoma. With the conferment of a second chieftaincy title by the Tiv Area Traditional Council, he has become the only individual in Benue State to hold honourific titles recognised by both the Tiv and Idoma traditional institutions, a development widely regarded as a reflection of harmony and mutual respect between the two kingdoms.
A sports administrator and football development advocate, Chief Edeh currently serves as Chairman of the Benue State Football Association. Through this role, he has been involved in grassroots football development, capacity building for coaches and referees, and the organisation of state level competitions.
The event was described as a strong statement of cultural unity and inter communal cooperation, reflecting the Tiv Nation’s emphasis on character, service, and peaceful coexistence.
