A Brief Look at Pull Down Syndrome in Tiv Society. By Henry Kwaghkule

A Brief Look at Pull Down Syndrome in Tiv Society. by Henry Kwaghkule

Tiv people were known for love, peace and unity, until the active participation of some people in politics and securing wealth through Western education... From 1920s to 1960s there were no much envy, jealousy and pull him syndrome in Tiv land and the society was in peace. From 1960s to 1969 that was the beginning of Pull him syndrome, many felt a brother is progressing and he need to be pulled down.
It was on this note that JS Tarkar and Shande Ayankpa summoned a meeting to begged the Tiv people to stop looking for ways to stop the progress of their fellow brothers and sisters, the venue of the meeting was at Amaco Hotel new road Gboko,that was where Ako Dzungwe Shande Anyakpa,warned strongly that TIV VE DE U WAN ANGBIANEV MBA AGBE...yange I hembe swem sha yange la IPSA....present in the meeting that day were Jerome Tilley Gyado,Pardopas Awuna,Atim Dzungwe,Isaac Wakombu,Gbehe Ikya,Denen Tofi, Nyikeke Gungur,Tondu Kumbur,Akighirga Saii,Akaa shar Biam,Akume Atongu, Augustine
Tarker Golozo, Hemen man Dondo, Kuje Yum, Alabi Bende, Madam Gyura Nyam, Tor Mkar, Kunda Tyonde, John Samu, Atozo Hindan, Ayua Num, Peter Atsuku, Agbatse Anom, Iorshe Orgundwen, Asema Yua, James Akperan, Ignatius Nomwhenge, Aper Aku, Kehem Dajo, Paul Logo, Paul Belabu, Atume Adagba, Toryila Kpar, Biam Azege, Jiryila Kyulen, Ambuter Yongo, Agera Ibye, Ugba Uye, Nyere Ajom, Agum Terem, Mude Chir Ikima, Agbo Kpile, Madam Mbapuun Gbor, Faasema, Madam Naira and Kobo, madam Lubona, Mama Nyikwagh, TBT, Ageshi, Gendaga Damna, Dennis Yenge, Mama Tsokaa Ayaka, Elizabeth Tseke, Alakari Kuji, Akor kyon, Hemen Tyongun, Anongo Chongo, Ayua Sambe, John Adikpo, Abege Ikpa, Samuel Apuur, Baver Jua, Agbidye Chia. Paul Unongo, Peter Agba, Udorough Ywon, Amase Timin Bai, Akange Zever,
etc...
He further stated that because of our (Tiv) resolve to hold unto the philosophy and syndrome of PULL HIM DOWN (PHD) we are not well represented in the central government then,he also mentioned the names of Col Nenge,Emmanuel Alaa lienee,Atom kpera,Col Jor Adam and many others who were victims of these MBA AGBE MBA WAN IOR,this happened over or about 45 years now and most of the names mentioned above are no longer living,but it seems we never took them serious as we are growing stronger in this dark trade.
We are very good at planting stunts on the ways of those who are making efforts to hit high levels in life,for how long are we going to be on this road,where is it taking us to,can't we see that we are on the reverse gear in terms progress,must we publicly insult and condemn our own at every slight opportunity,why do we wait until when one of us is elevated before we start our evil machinations and calculations, can't we preserve and hide our own for once,are we the worse,can't we see that progress is eluding us because of this pre-stone age mentality,see how backwardness is gazing us in the face,is this not a shame on us..
All of us can not be down at the same time,let us support, aid and encourage those among us who are making efforts to be up,for all of us can not be up there at once just as all of us can't be down at once,opportunities will keep coming let us help ourselves but rather we are always looking for ways to pull ourselves down,this will only end up putting all of us permanently down which will make us more vulnerable and weak against external forces.
In our present Tiv society of computer age people formed setworks of insulting people on Facebook and so on.
We must stop castigating our own,the act of insulting our own publicly is alien to our esteem tradition,we have leaders both young and old who are highly respected in foreign lands but back home all they are qualified for before us is negative propaganda, insults, abuse,defamation, and all that.

If you are not qualify for a particular thing today and your brother is qualified, please let him have it,your opportunity and time too will come someday..

Our leaders of yesterday as mentioned above, will be disappointed where ever they are today because this is not what they wanted for us..
We must learn to celebrate the elevation of others, we must share in their blessings,also be with them in times of grief,pains and tears...or else we are cheating ourselves.

A thorough research reveals that no governor in Benue state has enjoyed freedom of criticism. A boy of no societal values will drink a bottle of Hero beer and start insulting people. Rumour mongering is Paramount in Tiv Land. We need to be competing with outsiders, making international connections...
We have created disunity within the Sankera, Minda, Jechira, Jemgba, and Kwande....

Pulling one another is a setback .
I wish to reawaken us all to stay away from stopping the progress of others as postulated by Shande Ayankpa and JS Tarkaa in 1969 Tiv meeting of Tackling away jealousy, Tsav, IYUHE, envy. and so on.

Kwaghkule Henry is a blogger, a researcher.