This, he advised, was necessary for development to thrive.

Tiv people are predominantly from Benue and some parts of Taraba.

Balarabe-Abdullahi made the call through his representative, Mr Mohammed Omadefu (APC-Keana), when he was bestowed with the Tiv traditional title of Asor-Tar-U-Tiv, (Peace Broker), Nasarawa State.

The conferment of the title was made at the 2022 Tiv Day celebration.

The celebration also witnessed the launch of a N500 million appeal fund for the building of Tiv Development Association’s (TIDA) Secretariat in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa.

Omadefu said that the importance of peace to societal development could not be overemphasised; hence government’s continued commitment to promote unity and peace across diverse ethnic groups in the state.

He appreciated the TIV community for the honour bestowed on the speaker and assured the association of the speaker’s support at all times.

He also called on the Tiv community to support Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s administration in the state beyond 2023.

In his remarks, the Emir of Lafia, retired Justice Sidi Bage, promised to ensure that the Tiv nation in Nasarawa State got a recognised chiefdom.

This, he explained would qualify the Tiv chief to represent the ethnic group in the state’s traditional council to engender peaceful co-existence.

He also enjoined Tiv people and other people in the state to continue to live in peace.

Chief Clement Ibo, the Ter Tiv II, Nasarawa State said that the conferment of traditional titles on Gov. Sule, and the speaker among 12 other personalities was because of their positive contributions to the development of Tiv, Nasarawa State and Nigeria in general.

Also speaking at the occasion, Sen. Tilley Gyado, who was the Guest Speaker and Dr Joseph Kigbu, a former House of Representatives member simultaneously described the emir as a symbol of unity in the state.

They urged Tiv people to continue to be law-abiding, and to live in peace with their neighbours for development to thrive,

The duo commended Gov. Sule for his efforts in developing the state and called for the sustenance of his strides.

Earlier, TIDA President, Mr Peter Ahemba, said that the Tiv Day was organised to promote unity, peace and culture for the overall development of the community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Sule bagged the traditional title of Zege Mule-U-Tiv Nasarawa State (Great Shelter of Tiv in Nasarawa).

Plateau’s Gov. Simon Lalong was given the title of Akpabam-U- Tiv Nasarawa State, Sen. George Akume, Minister for Special Duties and Inter- Governmental Affairs as Akinde-U-Tiv Nasarawa State.

Dr Kigbu, Former Member, House of Representatives was installed as Zege Tsar-U Tiv, while Amb. Henry Omaku, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone was installed as Gbenda-U-Tiv, NasarawaFootball Development: Sunshine Stars Academy appoints Olowo as Coordinator State.

Aliyu Bello, Nasarawa State’s APC Secretary was made Hur’or-U-Tiv, Nasarawa State, while Chief Mbawuese Jo-Tsuwa, a Benue business tycoon was made Suma-Kwase-U-Tiv, Nasarawa State.

Sen. Tilley-Gyado was given the title: Jime-Nor-I-Tiv, Nasarawa State.

Many others bagged chieftaincy titles at the occasion.