FROM ROSE EJEMBI, MAKURDI.
AS the activities for the burial of the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, late Tor Tiv, Chief Alfred Torkula kicks off, the Central Planning Committee for the burial has said that the Tiv monarch would not be buried with the head of anybody.
Chairman of the Committee, Brig.-General Atom Kpera who stated this while briefing newsmen Friday as part of activities for the burial of the late Tor Tiv said the Tiv tradition does not believe in sacrificing human beings for the burial of its monarchs.
“The Tiv tradition does not involve burying monarch with anybody. Nobody should entertain any fear at all as the Tor Tiv will not be buried with the head of anybody. All the Tor Tivs are buried in one place and that is why we have told you that the burial would be conducted by a Catholic priest.”
Kpera who disclosed that the weeklong programme for the burial started with the traditional wake keep by each of the Tiv intermediate areas of Jemgbagh, Jechira, Kwande, Sankera and Minda as well as Tiv in diaspora and friends of the Tiv nation taking their turns each day.
He stated further that by next Wednesday, the Ijir Tamen would sit at the traditional council chamber where the traditional inquest /valedictory session would be held.
Recall that the late Tor Tiv died on the November 23, 2015 in Abuja and activities for his burial is billed to start from January 28 through February 4th when he would finally be interred.