By David Torough, Abuja

The OnTiv Professionals Association (OPA), Abuja has described the statement credited to the Alago Ikweyi Gbayi Development Union (AIGDU) calling for land demarcation of Tiv ancestral homes, along Nasarawa and Benue boarder communities in the wake of the brutal attack and killings of innocent Benue citizens as insensitive, wicked and devoid of every sense of humanity and decency.

In a statement in Abuja, OPA President, Engr Abraham Aku regretted that, while the Benue community, the entire country and the world are yet to recover from the devastating effect and the pains over the June 13 Yelwata massacre by the armed Fulani invaders, the Alago people of Nasarawa State have sadly concerned themselves to claims of ownership of the bleeding community.

Aku said that the OPA read with deep concern and disappointment, the press release issued by the Alago Ikweyi Gbayi Development Union (AIGDU) in response to the remarks made by His Royal Majesty, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, during the condolence visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Benue State.

“We find it necessary to strongly respond to the misrepresentations and historical inaccuracies promoted in the said press release. The statement is a deliberate attempt to distort the identity, heritage, and territorial realities of the Tiv people in and around Yelwata.

“To set the historical facts clear,  Yelwata, both in administrative record and practical governance, is firmly located in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State therefore, their claims that Yelwata is in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State is historically and administratively incorrect. 

“The community has functioned as such for decades, under successive civilian and military administrations, with Benue State government providing infrastructural services, conducting elections, and maintaining civil administration in the area.

“It is equally misleading to suggest that the Tiv are “latecomers” to Yelwata. The Historical Settlement Patterns shows that, the Tiv people have historically settled and cultivated lands across the Benue Valley, including Yelwata, long before modern administrative boundaries were imposed.

“Their presence is not merely residential but rooted in generations of ancestral occupation, farming, and social development.

“Moreover, the Tiv are recognized as indigenous peoples in parts of Nasarawa State, populating local government areas of Awe, Obi, Doma, Keana, and Lafia as well as 

“Nigeria is a multi-ethnic society where communities are often plural in composition so,r their claims of ownership and indigenous rights that Yelwata is an “Alago village” because a few members of the Alago or Gwandara ethnic groups are present there is not a sound basis for such sweeping conclusions.

“What matters is legal and administrative jurisdiction, historical occupation, and the will of the people, all of which support Yelwata’s standing as part of Guma LGA in Benue State”.

According to Engr Aku, the reference to Google Maps as evidence that Yelwata location is captured in Nasarawa State is flawed and simplistic.

“Google Maps are not considered as legal authority for boundary demarcation. The authoritative sources for inter-state boundaries in Nigeria remain the National Boundary Commission (NBC), official gazettes, and constitutional/legal instruments and none of these place Yelwata in Nasarawa State.

“Rather than inflame ethnic sentiments or attempt to rewrite geography, we call on the AIGDU and other stakeholders to prioritize peaceful coexistence, justice, and mutual respect. Efforts to settle border issues must be guided by truth, not ethnic domination or historical revisionism.

“We call on the Nasarawa and Benue State Governments, the National Boundary Commission, and the Federal Government of Nigeria to accelerate efforts to resolve boundary disputes in a just and transparent manner.

“We reaffirm our support for the Tor Tiv’s position, which was factual, dignified, and reflective of the pain and reality of the Tiv people in Yelwata and its environs.Let the truth be told and peace be pursued'” the statement partly read.

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 Sen. Mukhail Abiru (APC -Lagos) has  urged  continued support and understanding for President Bola Tinubu as he implements bold policy decisions aimed at repositioning the  nation for sustainable growth.

This is contained in his democracy day message by his Media Aide, Mr Enitan Olukotun  on Thursday in Ikorodu.

Abiru, who represents  Lagos-East,  urged   Nigerians not to loose hope but  to  continue to uphold the core values of democracy and seek constructive ways to consolidate the gains made over the years.

Abiru,  who is also the chairman, senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, stated that the democracy day called for  reflection and appreciation for how far Nigeria  had  come as a democratic nation.

“It has been 26 years since Nigeria began its journey under this current democratic dispensation.

“Though the path has not been without  challenges, we have every reason to celebrate the resilience, growth, and promise that our democracy represents.

“As we navigate this critical period in our nation’s history, I call for continued support and understanding for our dear President as he implements bold policy decisions aimed at repositioning our nation for sustainable growth.

Though the sacrifices may be difficult, they are necessary, and I am glad that the rewards have started manifesting across all sectors.

” I pay special tribute to the resilience, courage, and determination of the Nigerian people,” he said.(NAN)

 Some residents of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have advised both men and women to support each other in handling household chores.

In separate on Friday, the residents said that doing household chores does not diminish masculinity, but rather strengthens marital bonds.

They maintained that house chores should be seen as shared responsibilities and not solely reserved duties for women.

Mr Abubakar Ibrahim, a Karu-based realtor, said that couples should appreciate each other’s efforts and offer corrections with the right approach.

According to Ibrahim, helping one’s wife by doing some chores is not wrong, saying that any person could help out to ensure the home front is okay.

“My wife understands that Mondays to Fridays are my office days and she does most of the domestic duties, than on Saturdays and Sundays, nothing is wrong for me to assist her to enable her rest.

“For me, it’s a nice experience doing such works because it offer me the opportunity to understand the way things are and this helps us better in managing our home,’’ he said.

Ibrahim also said that there was nothing wrong for men to go to the markets to buy foodstuffs and other domestic needs, saying that doing so enable them get first hand idea on the changes in prices.

“When you have the idea of costs of items, it will make both the wife and husband to be more open to each other in terms of handling household bills,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Sherifudeen Adaviruku, a fashion designer in Karu corroborated Ibrahim’s view, saying that some men even cook well, as well as do better in house cleaning and childcare.

“As a young boy, my mother told me that chores have nothing to do with gender.

“She asked me, as a young man, assuming you are going for the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme and you don’t know how to do things yourself, who will do it for you?

“It was for this early training that made me to learn how to cook and do other things, which for is a stabilizing factor in my marital life today,’’ he said.

Adaviruku, blamed issues that sometimes result to domestic violence on not sharing domestic responsibilities between couples.

“At times, the woman might be over-burdened and cannot do some of the works timeously, insensitive husbands will cash in on the little delay to make trouble and sometimes they end in avoidable clash,’’ he said.

He advised parents to help inculcate this habit in their children, especially the boys.

Adaviruku regretted that hiring house helps by most families has caused children not learning basic chores.

He emphasised that wives are not slaves; but helper that require the support of their husbands and children at all times.

“Anything you can do to reduce her stress, do it. If it means hiring a maid to help with household chores, that’s perfectly fine.

“Helping out does not reduce your masculinity, it rather strengthens the bond”, he said.

Mr Idoko Solomon, a banker, said that household chores should be seen as complimentary role for men and women.

According to Solomon, a man should know how to do the house chores even before getting married. Your wife is your helpmate, not your servant.

“If I am at home, I will not just sit around relaxing or watching television, while my wife does all the chores. I was not raised that way,’’ he said.

Mrs. Joan Okechukwu, a trader, noted that doing house chores goes beyond love.

“Some men love their wives but don’t believe in helping with housework. It has to do with upbringing,” she said.

“The reason why some feel it reduces male masculinity is because of the norms in some societies in the past which today helped fueling crisis in the home front.

“It used to be woman’s traditional role for centuries now, but these days, due to education and enlightenment everyone should contribute in household works for more peaceful environment,” she added. (NAN)