HRM Chief Makir Zakpe, Tor Tiv I
HRM Chief Makir Zakpe was the first Tor Tiv, who ruled from September 19, 1946, to October 11, 1956.
Tor Tiv I
In office: September 19, 1946 to October 11, 1956
Succeeded by: Chief Gondo Aluor
Personal Details
Born: April 11, 1896
Origin: Mbayar, Nyumangbagh, Mbaduku, Kunav, Vandeikya Local Government Area
Died: October 11, 1956
Age: 60 years
Buried: October 14, 1956 at Abagu, Gboko, Gboko LGA
Early life:
HRM chief Makir Zakpe, the first Tor Tiv was born at Mbayar ,Nyumangbagh District in the present day Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State. He is of Jechira, Ipusu lineage in the Tiv genealogy. His native mother was from Mbagen, Buruku LGA (Adom, 2016).
Career:
Late HRM chief Makir Zakpe joined the army in Calabar, Nigeria in 1918. He was posted to the Third Battalion of the Nigeria regiment where he served in the British’s West African Frontier Force (WAFF). He fought in the Second World War (1939-1946) and was promoted to the rank of Battalion Sergeant Major (BSM), on which he retired after 18 years of active service.
HRM chief Makir Zakpe later worked in the Jema’a Native Authority Police, Kafanchan as later transferred to the Tiv Native Authority (TNA),Gboko on the same rank.
Emergence as first Tor Tiv and Installation
Makar(1994) reports that HRM chief Makir Zakpe was among those people who influenced the creation of the office of Tor Tiv, while serving as Chief of Police of the Tiv Native Authority. The Governor, Sir Arthur Richards thus conceded to the request and created the stool in September 1944. Discussions were made for quite a long period of time. In September 1946, the candidacy was narrowed down to two contestants, Mr. Makir Zakpe and Mr.Gondo Aluor who represented Ipusu and Ichongo respectively.
HRM chief Makir Zakpe was chosen by 25 votes .There were 18 abstentions. He won the contest due to several reasons: strong backing of the World War veterans, strong personality he had possessed, his fearlessness and his social rapport ( Makar,1994).
On November 1, 1947 Chief Makir Zakpe was installed as first Tor Tiv and Second Class Chief by the Governor, Northern Province in Gboko.
Achievements:
Although late chief Makir Zakpe was not lettered to the core (Abeghe,2005), he applied his wealth of experience in leading the Tiv people thereby recording the most peaceful reign. HRM chief Makir Zakpe was very approachable (Adom, 2016) and he reigned in a Tiv society which then had low level of emancipation. He acted urgently fast to stop the crisis in Tiv land.
He wiped out the Garyo movement, which emerged in 1948 through chiefs under him skillfully. HRM chief Makir Zakpe’s administration also approved the construction of central office of the Tor Tiv in Gboko, a charge office and a court building. He died in 1956 without occupying the building, which was nearly completed. He ruled from his house that is behind NKST Church, off Joe Akaahan way, Gboko (Adom, 2016)
Death:
Late Chief Makir Zakpe died during a brief illness at the age of 60 years, on October 11,1956(Mkor,2012). The corpse was buried at Abagu, Gboko on October 14,1956.