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In a profound acknowledgment of his transformative leadership, the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC) on Saturday conferred an honorific chieftaincy title, Asortar U Tiv (The Reformer or Fixer of the Tiv Nation), on Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia. The conferment, announced on Monday, December 15, 2025, also admits the Governor as a member of the inner Advisory Council of the Begha U Tiv, the highest traditional authority of the Tiv people.
Describing the decision as timely and profoundly symbolic, the statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, mnipr, noted that the honour represents a collective endorsement by the Tiv traditional institution of purposeful leadership rooted in reform, integrity, and courage. By elevating Governor Alia to this revered position, the TATC has affirmed its confidence in an administration that is redefining governance and restoring Benue’s lost glory through bold institutional restructuring, renewed focus on security, infrastructural revival, and a resolute stand against practices that previously hindered progress.
The statement highlighted that, despite the discomfort reforms often bring and the enmity they have attracted from defenders of the status quo, these measures are essential for reclaiming the state’s pride. It praised the traditional council’s role in lending cultural legitimacy to progressive governance, mobilizing the people, and fostering unity, emphasizing that collaboration between government and traditional institutions remains vital for overcoming setbacks and sustaining change.
The honour has garnered widespread applause within and beyond Benue State, with many endorsers pointing to the self-evident achievements of the Alia administration in restoring order, accountability, and efficiency in public service within a short period. Citizens have been urged to respond with patience, support, constructive engagement, and a sense of responsibility, rising above cynicism to contribute to building a peaceful and prosperous Benue.
With visionary leadership now bolstered by cultural support and popular cooperation, Governor Hyacinth Alia continues to steer the state toward a future defined by stability, justice, and shared prosperity, proving that meaningful reform, though challenging, is achievable through determination and collective will.
