New Ukwe Takum the panacea to Southern Taraba restiveness-Kureb Elders Forum
Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The leadership of Kuteb nation in Abuja on Monday said that the enthronement of a new Ukwe Takum will bring lasting solution to the security challenges bedeviling parts of Southern Taraba for decades.
In a statement issued by the group and signed by Fili Ande for the Chairman, the elders maintained that after nearly Three decades of vacancy, the new Ukwe has emerged to stay and urged the people to rally support for the new Monarch to rule in peace.
“The kuteb people are happy to announce that finally, the ancestors have spoken, the crown prince has been identified and the UKWE TAKUM has, therefore, been selected according to Kuteb culture and tradition. He has undergone all the basic rites of ascension to the paramount throne of UKWE TAKUM and has since been enthroned. We are pleased to say he has come to stay.
“Takum has been peaceful since the announcement came through as the cloud of glory, hope and fulfillment is hovering over Takum once again since the home-call of HRH UKWE ALI IBRAHIM KUFANG II in 1996. Remember, the gods have spoken, the people are happy and the voice of the people is the voice of God. Installation of the Ukwe is timely, it is divine and it is in accordance with the ancient landmarks that predate 2012 when the seat was upgraded to third class seat by the colonial masters. Indeed, this is the right step in the right direction.
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“It is pertinent to note here that tradition and culture of a people transcends government and cannot be modified, exchanged or erased. It cannot be mixed with any other culture or tradition or adulterated by any alien ideology or self-serving interest. Therefore, tradition is the right and identity of a people and their exclusive preserve. We wish to state emphatically that the throne of the paramount Ukwe Takum is not a commodity for trade. Therefore, consultation outside the tradition is meddlesome.
“There was no meddling by government during the selection and installation of Aku Uka and Gara of Donga who are both first class monarchs of Wukari and Donga respectively. The two (2) were only presented to government for presentation of the staff of office after traditional rites. The case of Ukwe Takum, equally a first-class monarch, cannot be different. In the coming days Ukwe Takum will be presented to the government for recognition and preparation towards the presentation of staff of office” the statement reads in part.
Our Correspondent reports that the stool of Ukwe Takum has been under serious contention for decades since the death of the last Ukwe almost three decades ago and violent attacks especially on Kuteb speaking areas in Takum and Ussa Local Government Areas and Yangtu special Development area have been alleged to be linked to efforts by some groups in the State to take over the stool from the Kuteb people.
