|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
An old model upstairs in Abinsi
By HRH Dr. Sabo Azyjidoku Emmanuel
This accident is not a mishap. This accident carries a fatal repercussion weight on the peopled Wanu descent. The unmitigated evils brought about by colonialism, balkanized, Jukun Wanu lands, amputated their wholesomeness in piece meal. Their land was shredded and made miniature component parts of the newly arrived Tiv, at the frontiers. It will not be out of place to insist that the non-implementation of the 1920’s proposals for the reorganization and of bringing all the riverine Jukun people into one unit – (Native Authority), administratively, caused this fatal bureaucratic accident. Those who thwarted this plan knew much about strength in unity, and so frustrated it right from pupal stage.
Today, the Jukun Wanu speaking people are all casualties. Some are already dead; physically and spiritually. Some are dead; emotionally, philosophically and psychologically. Some are Amputees, as they await the final burial, the ceremonial and gradual burial or interment is done in piece meal. And of course, there are those that have moral questions before them, as they cannot defend the ethos of their existence. For how long shall the people continue to live on deception and illusion? For “the idea of absolute personal freedom is an illusion”. To attain freedom is a fight, a struggle for self-actualization. Freedom cannot be gotten on the platter of gold. It is not free, you have to pay for it. But diplomacy is better than war; though certainly not being fuddled around. That is treacherous. For how long shall Wanu continue to live in a fantasy world? These stereotyped idiosyncrasies are suicidal and must be discarded for Wanu to survive in this turbulence.
As casualties, their causality was at the instance of that saga of feuds that existed between Azyoko and Abinsi years ago. This uncompromising attitude of these two village areas, necessitated the balkanization of the Jukun Wanu villages amongst the newly arrived Tiv. Therefore, the assertion in some quarters that the Awanu are the architects of their problems (situation) till date are not far from the truth. Even in the present dispensation the story is still the same. Better described as ‘Cold War’.
That is why, Wanu people are scattered and sandwiched among the various Tiv clans and lineages by the despotic powers that be. In order to weaken Wanu strength, their might, the authorities with the conspired ground work of the Tiv people whisked Anyishi (Anyebe), Asugu (Akor), and Akatsu (all Jukun villages) to Logo District of the present, Logo local government of Benue state. They flung Anuhwa, Ashuku, Aselema, Ekposoga and other adjoining areas (all Jukun Villages) to Saghev clan of Nongov lineage of the Tiv people in Guma local government of Benue state. Ando Sede, Zyamindo, Azenu, Atengye, Banjimba (all Jukun villages) were the share of the pie for and annexed to Ndzorough clan of Guma local government of Benue state. Abinsi, Azyoko (Ankwa) Abweni (all Jukun areas) being scrambled for, by both Uvir clan of Ihyarev and Kaambe clan of Nongov, of the Tiv people of Guma local government of Benue state. Amwo, Mu (Fiidi), Agbodo (Gagambe or Angbaye) (all Jukun villages) hurled to Yonov of Masev clan of Tiv people of Gwer East local government of Benue state. Then Agyogo (Wurukum) Agyaha, Afubwoh, Agyetashi etc (all Jukun areas) now trampled over by Mbawa, Mbagwen –Yogbo clans of Isherev (Ihyarev) of the Tiv people of Makurdi local government of Benue state; and Ityo-shin (Ihyarev) clan of the Tiv people of Gwer west local government of Benue state respectively.
But conflict of whatever nature or posture is part, of existence. It often occurs in human society. Therefore, that age long feud between Azyoko (Ankwa) and Abinsi, should teach all a lesson on the need to be brotherly.
That apart, people in any society, constitutionally, must have a voice, a say. Even if they are infinitesimally at the disadvantaged position. The hoax hocus pocus going round is a mere illusion, a fantasy, of unimaginable proportion. NB: Please do not mind the diction, just understand the central theme. For every piece of writing has a target audience. The truth is that, Abinsi, is the only ‘District’ that has only 3 (three) Kindred heads in the entirety of Benue state. The rest have 5 (five) kindred heads each and are remunerated. Presently, as it patterns Abinsi, there is no hope of any increase to make it 5 (five) to complete the required number per district in the state. And in case of any reversal (which is doubtful) Azyoko, where the deified “Awase’ reigns and ‘Asede’ in Banjimba, where the kinship totem is venerated the kindred headship may not even be tossed to them. Why? Firstly, Banjimba in which Ando sede, Anuhwa, Zyamindo are located have been forcefully annexed to Ndzorough clan of the Nongov lineage, of Tiv people, Guma local government of Benue state. Already Ndzorough District has 5 (five) Tiv kindred heads; without ‘Asede’ (Jukun) as one of them.
Secondly, Abinsi is a different ‘District’ with only 3 (three) kindred heads as at now. The possibility of making ‘Asede’ of Ando Sede of Ndzorough District, a kindred head in Abinsi District is not visible. This is because even the 2 (two) vacant positions of hundred headships that are remaining have the sympathy and willing might support for Kabawa community of Abinsi and the resident Uvir clan of Ihyarev lineage of the Tiv community, Guma local government of Benue state. Therefore, the possibility of making the ‘Awase’ of Azyoko (Ankwa) one of the 5 (five) kindred heads to complete for Abinsi’ District’ is not
within reach. So, wisdom is left to whoever wants to try the impossible.
Thirdly and still on this hallucination on the desire for up grading of some Jukun Wanu traditional leaders as it patterns kindred headships is still a mirage, an illusion. Like the case of Agbodo (Gagambe or Angbaye) that has been seizured to Yonov clan of the Tiv people of Gwer East local government of Benue state. Yonov District has 5 (five) kindred heads already. The ‘Konoku’ of Agbodo who is the Jukun traditional ruler there, is
not recognized (and should not be deceived) for now. This same derecognition applies to Amwo (Fiidi) mu, a Jukun area, which is constantly under the threat of the same Gwer East local government of Benue state, arrogantly gagged by Yonov, Injiriv and Gee clans of the Masev lineage of the Tiv people.
Completing this cycle of engraved tribal chauvinism, the Jukuns in Agygo (Wurukum), Agyetashi, Agyaha and other adjourning Jukun towns and villages are constantly embarrassed by Mbawa, Nyiev, Mbasan, Mbagwen – Yogbo, Tyo-shin and Isherev of Ihyarev lineages of Tiv in both Makurdi and Gwer West local governments. These groups attack Jukuns with impunity. All this, aggregate to the lingering stalemate overtime. To be out of his dilemma, the Jukun Wanu have to rediscover themselves, sue for
peace, emphasize unity, cherish custom and tradition, be morally alert by doing the right thing, always, respect for one another etc. In summation, that is the only way, to be out of the fatality that was caused by the bureaucratic accident in Jukun Wanu land that had hounded them out of comfort.
They had since lost sense of belonging as a people for some time now.
