By Uzer Moses
The remains of the Late Chief Terkula Suswam and the Late Mr Solomon Utanor were laid to rest Saturday in their country home, Anyiin, Gaambe-Tiev in Logo local Government Area of Benue state.
A mammoth crowd of sympathisers across the country came to give the late duo their last respect.
In a funeral oration jointly sermonised by the Catholic Bishop of Gboko Diocese who doubles as the Apostolic Administrator, Cede Vacante of Katsina-Ala Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr William Avenya and the Vical General, Katsina-Ala Diocese, Rev. Fr Dr Godwin Bagu called on Sankera people to return to God in order to be saved.
Fr. Bagu who read from the gospel of St Luke illustrated the biblical story of the prodigal son who realised his foolishness and returned to his father for forgiveness, urged Sankera people to desist from prodigality and come back to God for forgiveness so that peace would be restored in the area.
He admonished Christians never to take the life of any human being but instead learn how to forgive and settle their differences through dialogue, which is the best approach to peace and conflict resolution, citing late Suswam as an ambassador of peace; even as he prayed for the repose of the souls of Chief Dr Terkula Suswam and Mr. Solomon Utanor.
Tor Tiv the V, HRM, Prof. James Ortese Ayatse who was represented by the Tor Sankera, HRH, Chief Abu King Shuluwa informed the youths of Sankera to always table their problems to him for consideration, while praying God to grant the family of the Late Chief Suswam the fortitude to bear his untimely demise and never to mourn beyond expectation.
Earlier, in their separate remarks, the Executive Chairman for Logo Local Government, Terseer Agber, the Ter Logo, Chief Jimmy Meeme and the Mue Ter Ipusu of Logo, Chief Dr Enoch Nyikyaa Ikyumen all showered ecomiums on the life of the Late Chief Suswam.
Present at the burial ceremony were the Executive Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, the Chief Mourner and Senator representing Benue North-East Senatorial district, Gabriel Suswam, Deputy Governor or Benue State, Engr Benson Abounu, Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Titus Uba and Member, representing Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum federal constituency, Dr Richard Gbande. Others include, Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Madaki, Special Adviser the the governor on Culture and Tourism, David Mzenda Iho, council Chairman for Ukum Local Government, Stevie Ayua and his Katsina-Ala counterpart, Atera Alfred among others.
It could be recalled that the Late Chief Suswam was gruesomely murdered in front of his residence alongside his aide, in his home town Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area of Benue state by unknown gunmen.