By Julius Peter, Abuja
The newly installed Tyoor/Wakili Tiv of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Zaki Clement Terwase Gboko, has pledged to promote peace, unity and cooperation among the Tiv people living in Karu.
Gboko made the commitment shortly after his coronation by the Esu of Karu, His Royal Highness, Pharm. Luka Panya Baba Esu, urging sons and daughters of Tiv origin residing in the area to unite and work together for the development and wellbeing of their community.
Expressing gratitude for the confidence reposed in him, the new Wakili Tiv said he considered his appointment and coronation a great opportunity to serve his people and promised to make himself accessible to members of the community.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity given to me to serve my people. I call on the sons and daughters of Tiv in Karu to become one and work together,” he said.
Gboko assured the Tiv community that he was ready to serve them and respond to their needs whenever called upon.
“Call me in the morning, afternoon and evening, I will answer you,” he said, stressing his determination to make service to the people the central focus of his tenure.
He also expressed appreciation to the Esu of Karu for honouring him with the traditional position, praying God to continue to bless, strengthen and protect the monarch.
The new Wakili Tiv further promised to deploy his position toward promoting peace and reconciliation among Tiv people residing in Karu.
He particularly appealed to other aspirants who contested for the position alongside him to put the contest behind them and join hands with him in serving the Tiv community.
“I call on all those that contested this seat together to come and join hands together and serve our people in Karu,” he said.
Gboko said unity remained essential to the progress of the Tiv community and called on all stakeholders to work collectively in addressing issues affecting their people.
Speaking at the occasion, the Youth Leader of Tiv Tunku in Karu, O. Moses, expressed appreciation to the Esu of Karu for facilitating the event and recognising the new Wakili Tiv.
Moses described Gboko as a good man and a person of integrity, expressing confidence that he would use his new position to promote peace and unity among Tiv people in Karu.
He called on members of the community, particularly the youths, to support the new traditional title holder and contribute positively to the development of the Tiv community.
Also speaking, the Chairman of MUT in Karu Local Government Area, David Terver Adom, congratulated Gboko on his new position and wished him success in his responsibilities.
Adom prayed that the new Wakili Tiv would be able to accomplish his plans and expectations for the community.
In a similar vein, Chief Tsekusu Rechard expressed appreciation to the Esu of Karu for providing the opportunity for their son to serve the Tiv people in the area.
He congratulated Gboko on his coronation and wished him wisdom, strength and success as he begins his tenure.
The Esu of Karu, His Royal Highness Pharm. Luka Panya Baba Esu, charged the newly installed Wakili Tiv and the entire Tiv community in Karu to promote love, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding.
The monarch urged the Tiv people to love one another, live peacefully with other residents and remain law-abiding citizens.
He encouraged the new Wakili Tiv to see his position as an opportunity to serve rather than a privilege, urging him to work for the interest of the people under his leadership.
The Esu also called on the Tiv community to cooperate with constituted authorities and traditional institutions in maintaining peace and stability in Karu.
He expressed the expectation that the new Wakili Tiv would use the position responsibly and contribute meaningfully to the development of the community.
The coronation ceremony was attended by traditional title holders, community stakeholders, family members, friends, well-wishers and other dignitaries who gathered to witness the installation and celebrate the new traditional office holder.
The event ended with renewed calls for unity, peace and cooperation among the Tiv community in Karu, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the new Wakili Tiv would provide purposeful leadership and strengthen relationships within the community.
