MUTUK President, Dr Kohol Iornem, Will Improve The Quality Of Lives In Benue State
The President of Mdzough U Tiv United Kingdom (MUTUK), Dr Kohol Shadrach Iornem, paid a visit to his home in Benue State, Nigeria, and had several interactions within a very short space of time. “No Place Like Home” was a BBC situation comedy series. It was created by Jon Watkins, and has become a popular saying used whenever one feels at home.
Dr Iornem is incredibly passionate about the Benue people and founded the Menroi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), poised at supporting and strengthening rural communities to improve their quality of life.
Dr Iornem’s first stop was to Menroi Academy, Naka Road, Markurdi. Menroi Academy was established in 2016 as a private learning Institution to provide early childhood education.
The visit at Menroi Academy saw many students smiling home with different levels of gifts, ranging from free uniforms to scholarships. The biggest beneficiary was a physically challenged student who was awarded a full scholarship until he completes his primary education. The MUTUK President also called on well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture, by providing scholarship opportunities for the less privileged in the community. Dr Iornem went around the school, interacting with the staff and students, encouraging them to take their studies and jobs seriously.
Image source: www.menroi.org
Dr Iornem is incredibly passionate about the Benue people and founded the Menroi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), poised at supporting and strengthening rural communities to improve their quality of life.
He has always had the people in his heart and has worked diligently to coordinate a team of 30 volunteers from his home in London, United Kingdom. Menroi Foundation assists a number of projects such as community development; training provision, volunteer-led projects and support for young people; education schemes; health, water and sanitation; business and innovation initiatives; and support for vulnerable households. After years of doing good for his home away from home, Dr Iornem hosted a spectacular grand opening of the Menroi Foundation office at Achusa Layout, Makurdi on 16th January 2022. The event saw family, friends, donors, volunteers and beneficiaries come together, and has fully taken off!
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Dorathy Mngueshima Sorkaa received a Butterfly Sewing Machine she was earlier promised. One of the donors, Mr Atom Lim, promised Mrs Sorkaa another sewing machine, as a way of encouraging others to emulate the hard-working lady. Dr Iornem showered praise on the Director of Programmes, Sophia Doosuur Kwaghzan, and her team of volunteers for the wonderful job they have been doing.
Honour is given to whom honour is due.
The President, Mdzough U Tiv United Kingdom (MUTUK), Dr Iornem paid a courtesy call to the President General Mdzough u Tiv (MUT), CP Iorbee Ihagh (Rtd).
Dr Iornem disclosed that “We had very fruitful deliberations concerning the future of the Tiv Nation and areas where we can collaborate.” The President MUT also arranged a meeting with the Director-General of Radio Benue, Dr Charles Iornumbe, for further deliberations.
Dr Iornem proceeded to the Palace of Tor Kyegh Sha Shwa (Tor KSS), which is presently domiciled at the premises of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Demekpe, Makurdi. Tor KSS doubles as the Parish Priest in the person of Reverend Fr Solomon Mfa Mdooyongo Ukeyima. In his own words, Dr Iornem described Fr Mfa, saying, “This is a great man, whose name is synonymous to Tiv unity.”
The MUTUK President visited the Palace unscheduled. He had called Tor KSS at the 11th hour, but upon his arrival, he was rather surprised with a grand reception. You can’t take the Palace by surprise! There, he also met with great personalities like Dr Shadrach Teryila Ukuma, who has been KSS Chairman for the last 6 years. He also met with the legendary humanitarians, Ukan Kurugh, Terver Lim and Ayongul Simon Akachukwu. Dr Iornem was dressed in the latest KSS regalia, from head to toes and was privileged to have a feel of the Tor KSS’s traditional pipe and horn.
MUTUK President Kohol Iornem and legendary humanitarian Terver Lim
Dr Iornem continued his tour with a visit to Government House, Makurdi, popularly referred to as ‘The Benue Peoples House’. Upon arrival, he presented to His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ioraer Ortom PhD, an award for his consistent support and contributions to Tiv people in the diaspora, especially the MUTUK. Others who received awards include Rev. Peters Ichull, Special Advisor to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs; Engineer Edward Ujege, the immediate past President General MUT; Mr Stepehen Agera, Founding Member, MUTUK, Dr Gabriel Agbir Kur, Founding Member MUTUK. Others include Mr Joseph Ajai, immediate past MUTUK Electoral Chairman; Miss Doobee Adura, Mrs Nancy Bourne, and Ms Salome Biam; for their numerous roles in the development of MUTUK.
The peak of the tour saw Dr Iornem to the Palace of HRM, Orchivirigh Professor James Iorzua Ortese Ayatse, Begha u Tiv, at his Palace in Gboko, Benue State, to pay homage. The Grand Patron of MUT was presented with an award for his fatherly role to MUTUK.
Away from traditional affairs, Dr Iornem paid a courtesy call to the office of Professor Zacharys Gundu, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Mkar, Mkar – Gboko, Benue State. The visit took a different dimension, as it saw Dr Iornem
appointed an ambassador of the university, as well as a visiting lecturer. Part of his duties is to promote the university and assist in mobilizing books, journals, computers, and ideas that will help move the university forward.
Dr Iornem studied Metallurgical Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Kaduna State. He holds an MBA from the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, and a PhD in Management at Cardiff Metropolitan University; he is also a Senior Lecturer at International Group Foundation.
Dr Iornem visited many other places as well, including homes of family and friends. According to Author and Philosopher, Matshona Dhilwayo, “It is in the roots, not the branches, that a tree’s greatest strength lies.” Whenever one gets connected to one’s roots, one feels stronger and better. It is believed this opinion must have motivated Dr Kohol Shadrach Iornem to visit home. There is absolutely no place like home!
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Chekwa Sir Ralph
Great outing, connecting to your root is something worth doing. More grease to the humanitarian angle.