By Sunday Iduh and Matthew Ajai-Kume
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and Speaker Benue State House of Assembly (BSHA) have congratulated the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse and the Och’Idoma, HRM Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa on their appointments by President Muhammadu Buhari as Chancellors, University of Benin and National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) respectively.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase described the appointments as well deserved.
“The wealth of experience of the Paramount Ruler of the Tiv nation as former Vice-Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Makurdi and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Dutsin-Ma in Katsina State, will immensely benefit the University of Benin,” he said.
The statement also states that “the wealth of experience of the Paramount Ruler of Idoma nation in several previous capacities at the state and national levels will be of tremendous benefit to the University.”
According to the statement, the governor appreciated President Buhari for the appointment of the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma while expressing the hope that more Benue sons and daughters will be given key appointments at the federal level.
It says Governor Ortom wishes His Royal Majesties, Prof. Ayatse and Agabaidu Obekpa a successful tenure as University Chancellors and prays God to bless them with good health and wisdom.
Meanwhile, the Speaker, BSHA, Titus Uba in a statement released to newsmen by his Chief Press Secretary, Wuese Orshi, described the appointments of the two paramount traditional rulers in Benue State as perfect and well deserved, judging from their pedigree as administrators and custodians of moral and social values.
He expressed profound gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for finding the traditional rulers worthy of the appointments.
“The speaker expressed confidence in the ability of the Tor Tiv and Ochi’ Idoma to excel in their respective work places, drawing inspiration from their so many years of pivotal leadership and service to humanity, saying the Tor Tiv as a professor has served as Vice Chancellor in two federal universities in Nigeria,” the statement said.