October 12, (THEWILL) – Governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue state, Rt Hon Titus Uba and Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, have sent hearty congratulations to the Paramount Ruler of Tiv nation, HRM Prof. James Ortese Ayatse and other illustrious Benue sons on the conferment of Nigeria’s National Honours Awards on them by President Mohammadu Buhari.
In their separate statements, Uba, who is also the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, notes that he is not surprised over the recognition and appreciation accorded the Tor Tiv and 17 other recipients of the National Honours Awards from the State, given their enormous contributions to the development of the State and nation, describing them as true ambassadors of Benue State.
Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ortese Ayatse has been conferred with the National Honours Award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while the President, Customary Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Cosmas Idye bags the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) award.
Others are Hon. Justice John Tsoho – OFR, Maj. Gen. J.G.K Myam – OFR, Mike Mamman Osuman, SAN – OFR, Prof. Vershima Uza – OON, Chief Raymond Hemen Ihyembe – OON, Arc. Sunday Echono – OON and Prof. Innocent Ujah – OON.
Also honoured are Amb. Demenongo Agev – MFR, Dr Bernard Beeior Verr – MFR, Elder Simon Shango – MFR, Alhaji Musa Audu – MFR, Chief Silva Ejeh Ameh – MON, Innocent Ujah Idibia (2Face) – MON, Dr Ver-or Ngutor – MON, Dr Christopher Obute – MON and Dr Samuel Ankeli – MON.
A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Wuese Orshi, quotes the PDP gubernatorial candidate as saying the 9th Benue Assembly is proud of the recipients over the honour and recognition and commends the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government for bestowing the honours on the recipients, adding that the gesture would spur them to do more for the State and country.
Similarly, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia has described the honour as well deserved adding that it is a sign of recognition and appreciation of the tremendous contributions the Tiv Paramount ruler and Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs has rendered to nation-building.
In a message, he personally signed Alia and made available to the media, said the National Honour proudly stands out to attest to Prof. Ayatse’s strength of character, integrity and dedication to the task of building a hitch-free nation where people will live in peace, love and harmony.
He said, as a celebrated academic and University administrator who previously served as Vice-chancellor of two federal universities, the paramount ruler has used his sagacity and astuteness to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Nigerian Ivory towers.
He expressed profound gratitude to the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari for finding the Tiv Paramount ruler worthy of national honour, even as he prayed to God to grant the monarch good health of mind and body, and increase his wisdom to enable him to take the Tiv nation to greater heights.
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