…fondly remembered by TerNa Atime Tsuaa!!
Baba, I recall vividly on this date 16-03-1991, I had just returned from school as a Nursery School pupil when I heard my uncle telling someone that you are no more and that your cadaver has been deposited in a morgue in Makurdi. Even as a bairn, I knew an Iroko has indeed fallen.
Today makes it exactly 30years since your demise but I still nostalgically have fond memories of you. Baba, despite your age as a centenarian, you would hold me to your bossom, caress and even feed me anytime I accompanied my Mum & Dad to your traditional hut. You would call me sweet and great names while making positive fatherly pronouncements on me. You loved me…
You were a selfless and exemplary Leader, philosopher King, sage, protege and my patriarch.
BRIEF BIOGRAPHY:
Late Tor Tsuaa Shaagba is believed to have been born in the year 1885 to the family of Waikyaa and Shaagba Yough of Mbayegh, Yiav, Shangev-Tiev, Konshisha LGA, Benue State. He had no formal education(there was none anywhere close) but was blessed with so much wisdom and well versed in traditional matters. Served as an aide to Tor Nyaregh Atahum who was Tor Agbande/Tor Yiav. Baba later played the (modern day) role of Chief of Staff and confidant to his kinsman Tor Abagi Kpanju (1st Tor u Shangev-Tiev). When Abagi was unjustly executed by the colonialists in 1926, Baba continued to serve his people but in the capacity of a Kindred Head until he was elevated to Tor u Shangev-Tiev in 1930 following the demise of Tor Mkar.
During his reign as the 7th Tor u ShangevTiev, there was peace, rapid development and growth not only in ShangevTiev nation but it’s environs. It was during Baba’s reign that the Abagi-Akpagher road (The road on which Hembe recently built a bridge) was constructed through communal efforts, it was during his reign that NKST Primary School Mbaakpur was established in 1935. He acquired vast land for the DRM missionaries (now NKST) at Mbaakpur etc.
Baba made it a duty to ‘protect’ the youth. He never allowed young people to die anyhow.
During Baba’s reign, he would embark on sabbaticals to Palaces of other Utor (Kings) to teach them good leadership styles; and also learn from those Kings how they handle certain issues in their chiefdoms. He used to visit Ageva Nengen Inyagi from Mbayongo, Gbem Tor Dajima Alikô from Tsambe, Chi Kpatu Ingye from Mbagbera among others.
Baba’s agemates in his lifetime within Shangev-Tiev included: Ikyu Ayia, Chukpere Atôngo, Hegher Ajia, Ako Biam-Awuna, Ibu Zende, Ayem Akpur, Ashwa Agbatse, Ya-Akugh.
Orcivirigh Tsuaa Shaagba was a complete Shagbaor as he performed all shagba rites including; indyer gberen, amar-a-wan, nyinya I yamen etc. He was also a herbalist of repute (har gbeba) in Tiv land.
Baba married about 50 wives and bore over 80 children, 1000s of grand and great grand children amongst whom is my humbleself.
He died on Saturday 16-03-1991 and was buried on Saturday 06-04-1991 at about 4pm.
Today being 30years anniversary of his exit, we remember him for all he did in the service of God and humanity within the over 10 decades of his odyssey here on earth.
Continue to rest in peace my biological progenitor.
Yours offspring,
TerNa Atime, Esq.
(Tsar u Mbangur).
