Wife of the Benue Governor, Mrs. Eunice Ortom, has appealed for a review of high bride-prices in Tiv land in order to enable young men get married when due.
She made the appeal to Tov Tiv-elect, Prof. James Ayatse on Tuesday,
February 21, when she led women from the fourteen Tiv speaking local
government areas of the state on a courtesy visit to the Ayatse in his
private residence located in judges quarters, Makurdi, the state
capital.
The women numbering about one hundred were drawn from zone A and B
senatorial districts with chief Mrs. Vicky Gemade and Chief Mrs. Regina
Akume, wives of the two Senators representing the two senatorial
districts in attendance. Also included in the visit were wives of the
six first class Chiefs in Tiv-Land ….Tor JEMGBAGH, Tor JECHIRA, Tor
Lobi, Tor Kwande, Tor Gwer and Tor Sankera as well as the three female
sole administrators of Buruku-Mrs. Tina Sorkaa, Gboko-Mrs. Becky Orpin
and Katsina Ala –Hon. Vera N. Abua.
In a remark, Dr. Mrs. Ortom explained that the visit was to identify
and rejoice with the Tor Tiv elect in line with the biblical direction
which says “we should rejoice with those who rejoice with us,” and
expressed the readiness of the women to stand in her support to ensure a
smooth reign of her husband.
However, Mrs Ortom decried the high demands made on young men seeking to
marry Tiv daughters, and described the situation as “very
discouraging”.
"Such high demands discourage many bachelors from even attempting to get married; the result is that many young girls cannot find husbands," she said, adding that such exorbitant charges were not part of Tiv culture. Such charges are imported; our traditional rulers should discard them,' she said.
While noting that bride-price payment was sacrosanct in every marriage,
she cautioned parents against selling their daughters especially since
the relationship between in-laws remains, long after such marriage
rites.
She regretted that many young men now preferred to elope with their
loved ones owing to such huge monetary demands, and stressed the need to
make the process affordable so as to restore the sanctity of the
marriage institution. She pledged her support to the new monarch, saying
that his emergence was an act of God that would bring unity to the Tiv
nation.
Responding, the traditional ruler promised to work toward a united Tiv
nation, and promised to be truthful, transparent and promote the fear
of God at all times. He also promised to uphold valuable cultural
practises and repeal negative ones.
Also speaking, the wife of the Tor Tiv Mrs. Ayatse advised parents in
Tiv land to instill norms and values in their children. The traditional
ruler also promised to be a problem solving king who will speak for the
Tiv nation and uphold the truth at all times.
He assured that he would bring together traditional rulers and church to
address the problem of high bride price in Tiv land, as well as do
away with all issues that are repugnant to natural justice and equity.
The Tor Tiv gave assurance to invite all politicians in the land to
dialogue on politics without bitterness and the need to balance
politics and farming, promising also that he will not be a partisan
politician.
“God who chose me has a vision. I have told my Tiv people that God will lead the Tiv, not me. God says he will be king over Tiv and take care of their problems and the result will be wonderful “the Tor Tiv emphasized.
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