To every generation on the face of the earth and in every year and month, the supremacy of the living God manifests through the birth of a great man whose positive impact is usually felt by all and sundry.
On the 15thof August 1962, the family of Zaki Suswam Tingir and Chief (Mrs) Ashiwua Suswam Tingir at Anyiin, in Gaambe Tiev, Logo Local Government Area of Benue state received the birth of a rare gem; Chief Dr Terkula Joseph Suswam.
This distinguished son of Nigeria commenced the journey of life in 1969, when he enrolled for his primary education at the NKST primary school, Zaki Biam, Benue state. Then in 1970, he proceeded to the army children primary school, Udi in Enugu state for the completion of his primary education and obtained his first school-leaving certificate.
In 1977, the young Terkula Suswam attended the government Teachers College, Makurdi and obtained the grade II teachers Certificate in 1982. His journey to political stardom begin while schooling at the Teachers College as an active member of the youth wing of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) during the Second Republic.
His endless quest for education took him to the College Of Education, Ankpa in the present Kogi state in 1984, following which he bagged the NCE in 1987.
Soon after graduation from Ankpa Dr Terkura Suswam began to engage his senses in confronting the developmental disabilities of Nigeria. He occupied himself with identifying the out of the development crisis of Benue state and resolved that getting actively involved in the process of charting a new political direction for the state was the fundamental touchstone in the way forward. He therefore became actively involved in shaping the political direction of Benue state under the successive military regimes in the country to the detriment of his personal safety.
That is not all, the great diplomatic historical Lord made another bold step as he took the front row in partisan politics of Benue state and Nigeria at large during the political; transition experiment of former Nigerian Military President General Ibrahim Badamusi Babangida as he played the arrow head in the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) as the state Financial Secretary of the party from 1991- 1992 and later became the state publicity secretary of the party from 1992 – 1993.
Interestingly, the young diplomat temporary vacated the political scene to pursue further studies, he attended the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and obtained the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History with a second class upper division 1998; as one of the most outstanding graduates of his time, he had a brief stint with the university in the academic capacity in 1998.
Dr Terkura Suswam’s desire for active politics manifest its character in the integrity of his commitment to the leadership of the National Union of Benue State Students NUBESS during his undergraduate days at NSukka.
Furthermore, 19999, Dr Suswam boldly moved to combine political activism with further studies. He attended the Benue state University and obtained the Master Arts MA Degree specializing a special interest in Diplomatic History. In 2006, he enrolled for the Ph. D with a special interest in Diplomatic History in 2009.
The young diplomat, clearly distinguished himself by the quality and depth of his doctoral field research
The quality of his presentation at the Viva Cole greatly inspired the panelists, led by Professor Toyim Falola of the University of Texas, to recommend him for an instant lecturership appointment at the Benue state University, where he currently professes knowledge as a visiting lecturer in the history department.
A renowned scholar, Dr Terkura Suswam has a catalogue of publications that dwell in critical issues of varying academic interest; prominent among them is his magnum opus issues in Nigerian Defense Pacts and National Security published in 2010 and several publications too numerous to mention.
As a widely celebrated and well lettered commentator on public issues, Dr Terkura Suswam has also written countless commentaries which were featured in local, national and international print and electronic media which are known to have created a positive impact in strengthening and shaping the general philosophical orientation of the management of public affairs in Nigeria.
This great icon of humility with a high sense of responsibility, Chief Dr Terkura has variously demonstrated his great leadership prowels in different capacities of authority and the wisdom with which he leads are pointers to his unique leadership astuteness.
This informs the reason why between 1996 and 1997 he was saddled with the responsibility of steering the affairs of NUBESS as her National President, during which he demonstrates the ability for acing and tackling leadership challenges and skills. He later became member, Board of Directors of the parastatal from 2006-20015, during this period, he was able to achieve another great fit by his initiative to transform Radio Benue by the introduction of the directorate in the establishment and revamp its work force generally.
Political speaking, Chief Dr Terkura Suswam has remained visible in the politics of Benue state and Nigeria, apart from the many key positions in the then NRC, UNCP in 1997. The diplomatic historian also served as the Director of Publicity, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidential campaign in Benue state as well as Chairman Appeal Committee on National Assembly primaries Abuja in 2011 and member, PDP Central Planning Committee, National Convention Abuja 2012.
It is also a well known fact that Chief Dr Terkura Suwam’s successes and achievements are not only limited to politics and academics, this man of great wisdom has powerfully blazed the business world with very remarkable breakthrough as one can flash back in 2005, when he established Ashitech Global Resources with very special interest in food processing. More so, as a dynamic Chief Executive Officer and managing director, he quickly commenced the diversification of his investment in conformity with the principles of dynamics of the global capitalist system.
Today as the business bulldozer Dr Terkura Suswam investment profile has transcended into an international conglomerate with divergent business interest and divisions such as Ashitech Global Resources, Ltd, Ashitech Digital Colour Seperation, Ashitech Digital Colour Laboratories, Ashiwaves Radio FM, Ashi Polytechnic, Shallom Multipurpose Corperative Society, Ashi Foods, Cold Room, Ashi Rice Mill, Zaki Suswam Tingir International Shopping Plaza, Ashitech Integrated forms and many other sister branches of the Conglomerate- Complementing the government efforts at all spheres in job creation and wealth for the overall growth and development of the state.
Dr Terkura Suswam is not just called a philosopher and philanthropist, he has indeed demonstrated on numerous occasions by mobilizing his personal resources in addressing the critical infrastructural needs of society, especially at the grassroots. Dr Terkura Suswam has many self sponsored community based projects to his credit, these many projects are not limited to the following;
Construction of several school buildings, renovation and rehabilitation churches and many schools at Anyiin, building and construction of bridges across Umar stream inn Mbagen, Buruku, settlement of hospital bills on several occasions, scholarship to many students suffering from financial incapabilities, catering for the internally displaced people during Fulani/Tic crisis, donation in cash and food items to many in dire need, roofing of houses and building of a shopping mall at Akaasema village in Logo local government and other too numerous to mention.
At the moment, plans are in top gear to build an advanced school of Technology, plus plans to erect an Ultra Modern Orphanage home in Katsina Ala and Ashi Television in Zaki-Biam on top level and construction of a multipurpose business center in Anyiin at top gear.
This peace loving man, has fought tirelessly to restore peace by resolving political differences amicably from the general elections in 2011 to local government primaries. These countless contributions to society growth have earned Chief Dr. Terkura Suswam many heroic tittles; the Gaambe-Tiev youths have the reason to name him the ‘Oryiman u Gammbe Tiev’.
In appreciation to these numerous contributions to fatherland, the society also acknowledged the efforts f her son Chief Dr. Terkura Suswam through series of honorary awards and chieftancy tittles, prominent among them are
ü The ‘Zege Iwanger I Tiv’, The great Illumination of Tiv Nation by the Tiv Traditional Council in 2012.
ü Merit award for humanitarian service by Igala National Awareness Forum in 2012.
ü In 2012 again, Dr Terkura Suswam bagged another award as ‘Ambassador for Peace’by Universal Peace Federation.
ü Merit award to Chief Dr Terkura Suswam Ph.D for his contributions to community service and development;
ü 2012 again, another Merit award in recognition of unparallel humanitarian and community service by Katsina-Ala club 1970, 2014.
ü Distinguished Son of Logo local government by Logo Youths Forum, 2013.
ü Pillar of Community Development by United Nations organization by Banki Moon, 2013.
ü Merit Award in recognition of the contributions to economic growth and communication industry in Benue state by Ambassador Supreme Council, Katsina-Ala 2012.
ü Philantropist of the Year by NTA/UM Urban Mingles, 2013.
ü Merit Award for structural and humanitarian service, by Igala National Awareness Forum, 2013.
ü Award of Excellence in Crisis management and control; by Gaambe-Tiev Youths Development Association (GAYDA Makurdi branch) 2016.
ü A charitable and compassionate philanthropist by Atedze film production 2016.
ü Bridge of Peace, philanthropist and community mobilize by council of Tiv corps Member 2016.
ü Ray of Hope of the common man, by Benue Motorcycle Association (BEMOA) Gaambe-Tiev branch, 2016 and a host of others.
Today, the Tiv community has reasons to present to you a benevolent Arbiter, a great scholar, an industrialist, a compassionate philanthropist, a custodian of Tiv culture, a community mobilize, a bridge builder and a social Engineer, a Savior and servant who stands for his people at all times.
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