GBOKO, Nigeria – In a move to strengthen the unity and cultural presence of the Tiv people nationwide, His Royal Majesty, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, CFR, has appointed nineteen Uter (Vassal Kings) as official emissaries of the Tiv throne across Nigeria.

Investiture Ceremony
The appointees were formally invested on Wednesday,December 10, 2025, at the Tor Tiv Palace in Gboko. Each received a Certificate of Appointment and Letters of Introduction. These documents are designed to facilitate their formal recognition by government institutions, traditional councils, and security agencies in their respective states.

Role and Responsibilities
The newly appointed Uter have been designated as second-grade traditional rulers.Their core mandates are:

1. To promote and preserve Tiv culture and values.
2. To strengthen unity among Tiv communities living outside the homeland (in the diaspora).
3. To serve as credible links between the Tiv traditional institution and the authorities of their host states.

The Appointed Uter
The following individuals were appointed to represent the Tiv throne in their states of residence:

1. Chief Urbanus Uchersuwe Ukor-ture — Ter Tiv, Adamawa State
2. Chief Emmanuel Aondoakaa Hiar — Ter Tiv, Zamfara State
3. Chief Ande Dzever — Ter Tiv, Borno State
4. Chief Gabriel Yuhwa — Ter Tiv, Katsina State
5. Chief Terlumun Fela — Ter Tiv, Sokoto State
6. Chief Mchiayum Apevershigh — Ter Tiv, Ebonyi State
7. Chief ASP Solomon Shula — Ter Tiv, Imo State
8. Amb. Chief Joseph I. Aneh — Ter Tiv, FCT
9. Chief Peter Teryila Agber — Ter Tiv, Ogun State
10. Chief Samuel Terumbur Orkeghen — Ter Tiv, Bayelsa State
11. Chief Raphael Terfa Agba — Ter Tiv, Abia State
12. Chief Iorvaa I. Geoffrey Esq. — Ter Tiv, Nasarawa State
13. Chief David Ihom Goon — Ter Tiv, Enugu State
14. Chief Silvanus I. Bino — Ter Tiv, Kaduna State
15. Chief Amos Ihom Alogo — Ter Tiv, Kano State
16. Chief Moses Chinor Vor — Ter Tiv, Kogi State
17. Chief Engr. Emmanuel Aker — Ter Tiv, Kebbi State
18. Chief Engr. James Iyongohime Dogoh — Ter Tiv, Rivers State
19. Chief Commodore Jonathan Iortyer Afeah (rtd) — Ter Tiv, Lagos State

Monarch’s Charge
Addressing the appointees,the Tor Tiv charged them to be worthy ambassadors of the Tiv people. He emphasized the need to uphold cultural values and to work diligently for peace, unity, and inclusiveness in their areas of service.

Strategic Significance
These appointments underscore the Tiv traditional institution’s commitment to fostering greater cohesion among Tiv communities spread across Nigeria and to deepening constructive engagement with host states through a framework of recognized traditional leadership.