Iorchir Emerges Wakilin of Chukuku, Pledges Unity and Peace

From Dr Emmanuel Ologun

The Etsu of Chukuku community in Chukuku, a suburb of Kuje Area Council in the FCT, has crowned veteran journalist, Chief Donald Iorchir, as the new traditional ruler and Wakilin of Chukuku.

The coronation and presentation of the staff of office took place at the weekend and was performed by the indigenous traditional ruler of Chukuku Community, Alhaji Jibrin Sarki.
The event attracted traditional leaders, community members and well-wishers who gathered to witness the installation of the Blueprint Newspapers’ Kuje Area Council correspondent as a traditional ruler.
In his remarks, Alhaji Sarki urged the Tiv people to respect the customs and traditions of their host community and live peacefully with their neighbours, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
He charged the new ruler to serve as a bridge between the Tiv community and other groups in Chukuku, stressing that peaceful coexistence is essential to development.
In his acceptance speech, Chief Iorchir thanked the Kuje Traditional Council for the recognition and expressed gratitude to God for the successful coronation after a one-year postponement.
“This thing was supposed to happen about a year ago, but it was postponed. I thank God that it is now finalised today,” he said.
The new Wakilin of Chukuku said his priority would be to unite the Gbagyi, non-indigenes and Tiv people in Chukuku to promote peace and development.
“What I want is unity. We must cooperate with one another and develop together. Without peace, there can be no progress in our community,” he told newsmen.
Chief Iorchir also spoke on the role of traditional institutions, calling for their constitutional recognition.
“We are at the grassroots. We are the ones who know what is happening in the communities and can tell government. If the traditional institution is included in the constitution, we will be very happy,” he said.
The coronation marks a new chapter for the Tiv community in Chukuku as it seeks stronger integration with its host community and a united front for growth and development in Kuje Area Council.