TY Danjuma :Kuteb are the people of the hills and cannot lay claim to the sole ownership of Takum

From Godwin Agia, Jalingo

A former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma retired, on Saturday commended Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba for resolving the prolonged Takum Chieftaincy tussle by appointing a king after 28 years.

Danjuma disclosed this at the inauguration ceremony of Chief  Sopiya Ahmadu, the new traditional ruler of Takum.

He said that the history of Takum as advanced by the Kuteb people was false and only known to those trying to cause trouble.

"They are the people of the hills and cannot lay claim to the sole ownership of Takum," he said.

Danjuma advised Kefas to be ready to face more litigations, on the Chieftaincy issue, assuring him that he would win over falsehood.

He urged the young people in the area to go to school and acquire knowledge that would be beneficial to the community.

While congratulating Ahmadu on his ascension to the throne of his great grandfathers, he called on him to see it as a call to service and treat all people equally. 

Gov. Kefas recalled the challenges on the way to reconciliation, fairness and unity, appealing to the people to give peace a chance.

"Today, we bring peace and unity to Takum. As the chief of Takum you must rule with integrity and respect for all. 

"This is not a moment of victory, but a moment for shared prosperity and a great future for Takum.

"We pledge to ensure that all displaced people return to their homes and to assist those in need to return to normal lives for a brighter and inclusive future.

On his part, former Governor of Plateau, Jonah Jang,  while congratulating the people of Takum, called on the governors in the country to demand state police to enable them to police their territories well.

Godwin Obaseki of Edo called on the people of Taraba to embrace peace to harness God's given resources and talents of the state.

"Today marks the beginning of a new dawn and prosperity in Takum and Taraba

"With the inauguration of the new chief of Takum, prosperity and peace will be restored and the people will be happy.

In his vote of thanks, Chief Ahmadu the new chief called on all to join hands and forget their differences to build Takum. 

He pledged to focus on security to ensure that peace was accelerated for the good of the land.

Our correspondent reports that the Takum Chieftaincy tool, usually referred to as Ukwe Takum as resolved for the Kuteb ruling class has now been amended by a law assented to by Gov. Kefas.

The tool is to now rotate among the Chamba, Kuteb and Kpanzu peoples of Takum.

Our correspondent recalls that the Kuteb people in a press conference recently rejected the rotation arrangement, saying they would not recognize the new chief, who is of Chamba extraction.