President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Professor James Ortese Ayatse on his election as Tor Tiv, the paramount ruler of the Tiv people.
Professor Ayatse, a former Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, is also the pioneer and immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State.
The President believes that the academic’s emergence as the paramount ruler of the Tiv people is an affirmation of his strength of character, integrity and moral authority, garnered over the years as a lecturer, erudite scholar and administrator.
While urging all his subjects to rally round the new monarch to make his reign a resounding success, President Buhari urged the fifth Tor Tiv to use his revered office as a veritable platform for conflict prevention, peace building and development in the grassroots.
He commended the transparent process which led to the emergence of the royal father after the demise of his predecessor in 2015, HRH Alfred Akawe Torkula, Tor Tiv IV.
The President offered his best wishes to the new monarch, as he prepares to ascend the throne of his ancestors.
He pledged that his administration would continue to recognise traditional institutions as key partners in progress, so as to find lasting solutions to sensitive issues in Nigeria.