The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Begha U Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, has emerged as the chairman of the Northern Christian Traditional Rulers Forum.
He called for unity, peace, justice and collective action to build a secure and prosperous Nigeria.
Ayatse was elected at the Second Northern Christian Stakeholders’ Forum and Solemn Assembly organised by the Stephanos Foundation at the Glory Dome of Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja, yesterday.
After his emergence, the monarch expressed gratitude to God and members of the forum for the confidence reposed in him and other newly elected officers, pledging to provide purposeful, humble and God-fearing leadership.
He also commended Christian leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders whose support ensured the successful inauguration of the forum.
The Tor Tiv said leadership is ordained by God but entrusted to individuals through the confidence and support of the people, assuring members that the new executive would work diligently to advance the collective interests of Christian communities across Northern Nigeria.
He stressed that his message had always been one of collaboration and peaceful engagement with both Christians and Muslims.
“As a nation we must prepare to work together. We are not gathered for war; we are gathered for the sake of peace in this nation,” he said.
He explained that the forum would seek partnerships with all peace-loving Nigerians, including moderate Muslim leaders committed to religious freedom, justice and peaceful coexistence.
According to him, the forum would advocate for the protection of vulnerable communities, defend the constitutional rights of citizens to freely practise their faith and continue to speak against violence, displacement, oppression and the destruction of lives and livelihoods.
“We want to build a nation where nobody is oppressed, where every citizen enjoys freedom of worship, where people are not driven away from their ancestral homes, and where lives and property are protected,” he said.
The royal father described unity as the greatest strength of the forum, stressing that meaningful progress could only be achieved through cooperation among Christian traditional rulers, church leaders and ethnic nationalities across Northern Nigeria.
