Installation of Prof. James Ayatse as Tor Tiv V

Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, a biochemist and twice a federal university Vice Chancellor, was elected the fifth Tor Tiv on 20 December 2016 and crowned by the Tiv Supreme Council (Ijir Tamen) on 4 March 2017.

Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse (born 12 May 1956, Mbakaan, Shangev-Ya, Kwande LGA, Benue State) was elected Tor Tiv V on Tuesday, 20 December 2016, polling 39 of 46 possible votes to defeat three other contenders. He was formally crowned by the Kingmakers following a meeting of the Tiv Supreme Council (Ijir Tamen) on 4 March 2017, with Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom presenting him the Staff of Office. Before his installation, Ayatse was a professor of biochemistry (attaining the rank at age 37) who served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (2001-2006) and as pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Dutsin-Ma (2011-2016) — the first Tiv person to hold such federal university leadership positions.

The fifth holder of the Tor Tiv paramount stool created in 1946, and the first with a background as a two-time federal university Vice Chancellor rather than a career traditional administrator.

• Tor Tiv paramount stool\nTiv Supreme Council (Ijir Tamen)