Benue 1st Lady Pleads For Bride-price Reduction Men Laments……..

The first lady of Benue state pleaded with elders and traditional decision makers of the land to reduce the prices and dowry of ladies so that young men can marry.
She made the appeal to Tov Tiv-elect, Prof. James Ayatse on Tuesday, February 21, when she led women from the fourteen Tiv speaking local government areas of the state on a courtesy visit to the Ayatse in his private residence located in judges quarters, Makurdi, the state capital.

The women numbering about one hundred were drawn from zone A and B senatorial districts with chief Mrs. Vicky Gemade and Chief Mrs. Regina Akume, wives of the two Senators representing the two senatorial districts in attendance. Also included in the visit were wives of the six first class Chiefs in Tiv-Land ….Tor JEMGBAGH, Tor JECHIRA, Tor Lobi, Tor Kwande, Tor Gwer and Tor Sankera as well as the three female sole administrators of Buruku-Mrs. Tina Sorkaa, Gboko-Mrs. Becky Orpin and Katsina Ala –Hon. Vera N. Abua.

In a remark, Dr. Mrs. Ortom explained that the visit was to identify and rejoice with the Tor Tiv elect in line with the biblical direction which says “we should rejoice with those who rejoice with us,” and expressed the readiness of the women to stand in her support to ensure a smooth reign of her husband. 

However, Mrs Ortom decried the high demands made on young men seeking to marry Tiv daughters, and described the situation as “very discouraging”. 

"Such high demands discourage many bachelors from even attempting to get married; the result is that many young girls cannot find husbands," she said, adding that such exorbitant charges were not part of Tiv culture. Such charges are imported; our traditional rulers should discard them,' she said.

While noting that bride-price payment was sacrosanct in every marriage, she cautioned parents against selling their daughters especially since the relationship between in-laws remains, long after such marriage rites.