Shocking Things about the Late Tor Tiv Alfred Akawe Torkula REVEALED - Read Them Below
The late Tor Tiv IV HRM Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula was born on July 10, 1944 at Tse Torkula in Mbadwem District of Guma Local Government area of Benue State.
Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula attended the Tiv N.A Elementary School Gboko from 1953-1958 and St. Theresa Catholic Primary School Naka in 1959.
From 1960-1964, Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula went to Mt.Saint Michael’s Secondary School, Aliade where he proceeded to Kings College Lagos.
From Kings College Lagos, he proceeded to the popular Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and he then proceeded to University of Besancon France, from 1967-1971 and obtained B.A (Hons), DEFE specializing in French Language.
Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula joined the then Benue Plateau State civil Service and later on was transferred to Benue State upon the creation of Benue State in 1976, as a Benue State Civil Servant.
He held many positions including The Permanent Secretary and Director-General. In April, 1989, he was appointed a commissioner thus becoming a member of the Benue State Executive Council.
In 1991, he went through the process and became the Tor Tiv IV, and Chairman Benue State council of Traditional Rulers until he passed on.
Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula holds a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology has Honorary LL.D and D.SC from the University of Ibadan and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike respectively.
He was a one time Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, University of Agriculture Umudike and University of Calabar.
During his life time, He authored several books including ‘Death and Burial Customs of the Tiv People of Central Nigeria,’ ‘The Cosmology in Tiv Worldview,’ ‘The Tiv Woman: Challenges and Prospects,’ ‘Presidential Democracy in Nigeria: Grassroots Experience’ and ‘The Culture of Partisan Politics in Nigeria: A Historical Perspective.
The news of the passage of His Royal Highness, Orchivirigh Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, Tor Tiv, IV, was received with shock by most Nigerians, especially the people of Benue State where the paramount ruler was the chairman of the State’s Traditional Council.
He died on November 23, 2015 at an Abuja hospital where he was rushed to a week earlier after he suddenly took ill in Gboko, traditional headquarters of the Tiv nation. Dr. Alfred Torkula was a great bridge builder who contributed immensely to the development of Benue State and the northern region.
An astute administrator and technocrat, the Begha U Tiv (Lion of the Tiv Nation), who ascended the throne in April 1991, was a revered spiritual guide of his people. He was a true custodian of the rich culture and traditions of the Tiv nation.
The late Tor Tiv was a great advocate of peace and unity, and he played a pivotal role in trying to find a lasting solution to the incessant communal conflicts in the North Central geo-political zone, especially the clashes between farmers in Benue and neighboring Nasarawa and Taraba states with Fulani herdsmen.
He was a reformist who encouraged and promoted the peaceful co-existence of different ethnic nationalities in the country. Some of his achievements include the creation of 14 second class stools in his domain; proposed creation of six additional first class stools and 60 third class chiefdoms in the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC) as well as the introduction of the use of beads by traditional rulers in Tiv land.
Instead of the turban that is the usual wear of royal fathers in the North, Dr. Torkula instead adopted the traditional regalia of the leopard skin cap and beads popular with kings of Bantu origin, where the Tiv link their ancestry.
He brought integrity, colour and glamour to the traditional institution to the admiration of many in Benue State and beyond. He also introduced honorific chieftaincy titles which were bestowed on prominent Tiv sons and daughters as well as non-indigenes.
Some of the beneficiaries of these titles include the late Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who was honoured as the first Zege - Mule U Tiv (The Great Shade of the Tiv), the highest traditional title in the land, an honour that was later conferred on ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar.
He lived an accomplished and eventful life and the vacuum Created by his demise will be difficult to fill. The funeral of His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula Tor Tiv IV will hold by God grace on February 4th, 2016. May God grant his soul eternal rest and his family and the entire Tiv nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula attended the Tiv N.A Elementary School Gboko from 1953-1958 and St. Theresa Catholic Primary School Naka in 1959.
From 1960-1964, Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula went to Mt.Saint Michael’s Secondary School, Aliade where he proceeded to Kings College Lagos.
From Kings College Lagos, he proceeded to the popular Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and he then proceeded to University of Besancon France, from 1967-1971 and obtained B.A (Hons), DEFE specializing in French Language.
Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula joined the then Benue Plateau State civil Service and later on was transferred to Benue State upon the creation of Benue State in 1976, as a Benue State Civil Servant.
He held many positions including The Permanent Secretary and Director-General. In April, 1989, he was appointed a commissioner thus becoming a member of the Benue State Executive Council.
In 1991, he went through the process and became the Tor Tiv IV, and Chairman Benue State council of Traditional Rulers until he passed on.
Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula holds a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology has Honorary LL.D and D.SC from the University of Ibadan and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike respectively.
He was a one time Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, University of Agriculture Umudike and University of Calabar.
During his life time, He authored several books including ‘Death and Burial Customs of the Tiv People of Central Nigeria,’ ‘The Cosmology in Tiv Worldview,’ ‘The Tiv Woman: Challenges and Prospects,’ ‘Presidential Democracy in Nigeria: Grassroots Experience’ and ‘The Culture of Partisan Politics in Nigeria: A Historical Perspective.
The news of the passage of His Royal Highness, Orchivirigh Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula, Tor Tiv, IV, was received with shock by most Nigerians, especially the people of Benue State where the paramount ruler was the chairman of the State’s Traditional Council.
He died on November 23, 2015 at an Abuja hospital where he was rushed to a week earlier after he suddenly took ill in Gboko, traditional headquarters of the Tiv nation. Dr. Alfred Torkula was a great bridge builder who contributed immensely to the development of Benue State and the northern region.
An astute administrator and technocrat, the Begha U Tiv (Lion of the Tiv Nation), who ascended the throne in April 1991, was a revered spiritual guide of his people. He was a true custodian of the rich culture and traditions of the Tiv nation.
The late Tor Tiv was a great advocate of peace and unity, and he played a pivotal role in trying to find a lasting solution to the incessant communal conflicts in the North Central geo-political zone, especially the clashes between farmers in Benue and neighboring Nasarawa and Taraba states with Fulani herdsmen.
He was a reformist who encouraged and promoted the peaceful co-existence of different ethnic nationalities in the country. Some of his achievements include the creation of 14 second class stools in his domain; proposed creation of six additional first class stools and 60 third class chiefdoms in the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC) as well as the introduction of the use of beads by traditional rulers in Tiv land.
Instead of the turban that is the usual wear of royal fathers in the North, Dr. Torkula instead adopted the traditional regalia of the leopard skin cap and beads popular with kings of Bantu origin, where the Tiv link their ancestry.
He brought integrity, colour and glamour to the traditional institution to the admiration of many in Benue State and beyond. He also introduced honorific chieftaincy titles which were bestowed on prominent Tiv sons and daughters as well as non-indigenes.
Some of the beneficiaries of these titles include the late Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who was honoured as the first Zege - Mule U Tiv (The Great Shade of the Tiv), the highest traditional title in the land, an honour that was later conferred on ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar.
He lived an accomplished and eventful life and the vacuum Created by his demise will be difficult to fill. The funeral of His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh Dr Alfred Akawe Torkula Tor Tiv IV will hold by God grace on February 4th, 2016. May God grant his soul eternal rest and his family and the entire Tiv nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
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