Tiv day: Gov Alia hails Fintiri over massive infrastructural development in Adamawa
• Says leaders opposing him are unhappy of his refusal to dole out Benue resources to them
By Mohammed Ismail
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has commended his Adamawa State counterpart, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for his remarkable strides in infrastructural development across the state.
Alia, who spoke through the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Sir James Iorpuu, at the 2026 Tiv Day celebration in Adamawa on Saturday, said Fintiri’s excellent strides is unparalleled saying that he could not recognise Adamawa again due to the landmark changes.
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He observed that some individuals in Benue State were opposed to his administration because, like Fintiri, he had refused to divert public resources to satisfy their personal interests.
The Benue governor said he was equally committed to deploy the state’s resources towards improving the welfare and living conditions of the people.
Alia also applauded the Adamawa government and its people for providing a safe environment for the Tiv community, noting that the annual Tiv Day celebration offered an opportunity to strengthen the longstanding ties between the Tiv nation and its host communities.
He assured the people of Adamawa that the Tiv community would not take their hospitality, goodwill and acceptance for granted.
The governor urged Tiv residents to reciprocate the gesture by conducting themselves responsibly and serving as worthy ambassadors of the Tiv nation.
He stressed that Nigeria’s strength and greatness lies in its ethnic and cultural diversity, calling on the Tiv people to shun ethnic prejudice, religious intolerance and other divisive tendencies.
Alia further urged Tiv traditional and community leaders to work closely with their host communities to sustain peaceful coexistence, noting that the Tiv people were widely recognised for their contributions to agriculture, commerce, entrepreneurship and other areas of economic activity.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Godwin Tyoachim, represented by Emmanuel Acher, praised the Mdzough U Tiv Adamawa State (MUTAS) for successfully organising the 2026 Tiv Day celebration.
He acknowledged the progress recorded by the association since its establishment, attributing its achievements to the commitment, sacrifices and leadership of successive executives.
Tyoachim urged the association to sustain its efforts and strengthen its position as a rallying point for Tiv people living in Adamawa.
He also called on the Tiv community to deepen relationships with other ethnic groups and promote peaceful coexistence, stressing that no community could achieve meaningful progress in isolation.
He appreciated other ethnic nationalities for identifying with the Tiv people and supporting their activities in the state.
In his remarks, the President of MUTAS, BLDR. Iorwuese Anum, reaffirmed the community’s determination to contribute meaningfully to the development of Adamawa State.
Anum described the Tiv nation as a people with a rich cultural heritage, proud history and strong traditions of hard work, courage, hospitality and communal living.
He said unity and cooperation remained essential to the progress of the community, urging Tiv people to rise above internal disagreements, personal differences and narrow interests.
The MUTAS president also appealed to members to intensify efforts towards completing the proposed Tiv House in Yola, describing the project as an important symbol of the community’s identity, cultural heritage, unity and collective aspirations.
Highlights of the celebration include the conferment of honorary titles on deserving individuals and a fundraising drive towards the completion of the Tiv House.
Among those honoured are the Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University, Prof. Ibrahim Umar; Chief Engineer Barnabas Myaornyi; and ESV. Godwin Tyoachim.
The community said the honours were in recognition of their contributions and commitment to the welfare and advancement of Tiv people in Adamawa State.
