Commentary: The Man Terkura Suswam
Written by Akighir Mamfe Esther
Every day of the year marks the birth date of a person or group of persons living on the earth surface, usually held in high esteem through ceremonies tagged: Birthday festivals.
It is on this note that the birth of a rare gem, Chief Dr. Terkura Joseph Suswam is celebrated on 15th August annually.
Dr. Terkura Suswam was born on 15thAugust, 1962 to the family of Zaki Suswam Tingir and Chief Mrs. Ashiwua Suswam Tingir from Anyiin, Gaambe Tiev, Logo Local Government Area of Benue state.
The man Terkura Suswam, known for his attribute as a pace setter, commenced the journey of life in 1969, when he enrolled for his primary education at NKST primary school, Zaki Biam, Benue state, and thereafter, proceeded to army children primary school, Udi in Enugu state in 1970 for the completion of his primary education where he eventually obtained his first school-leaving certificate.
In 1977, Dr. Terkura Suswam proceeded to government Teachers College, Makurdi and obtained the grade II teachers Certificate in 1982.
His journey to political stardom began while at 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 continued and he proceed to College Of Education, Ankpa, the present Kogi state in 1984, where he eventually bagged NCE in 1987.
After graduation from Ankpa, Dr Terkura Suswam became actively involved in shaping the political dimension of Benue state under the successive military regimes in the country.
Dr Terkura Suswam took another bold step by assuming the front row in partisan politics of Benue state and Nigeria at large, during the political transition of former Nigerian Military President, General Ibrahim Badamusi Babangida as he played the role of defunct head in the National Republican Convention as the state Financial Secretary of the party from 1991- 1992 and later became the state publicity secretary of the party from 1992 – 1993.
The young diplomat temporary vacated the political scene to further his studies, where he attended the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and obtained the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History with a second class upper division in 1998, and was one of the most outstanding graduates of his time, and was retained to lecture at the university as a graduate assistant.
The young diplomat’s desire for active politics manifested in the integrity of his commitment as president of the National Union of Benue State Students NUBESS during his undergraduate days at Nsukka and in 1999, Dr Suswam took the bold step to combine political activism with further studies as he enrolled into Benue state University and obtained the Master of Arts M.A. Degree with specialization in Diplomatic History.
In 2006, the Diplomatic Historian enrolled to further his studies beyond the Master’s Degree level with special interest in Diplomatic History, and eventually bagged his Ph.D in 2009.
The great scholar clearly distinguished himself by the quality and depth of his doctoral field research, as the quality of his presentation at the Ph.D Viva Cole greatly inspired the panellists, led by Professor Toyim Falola of the University of Texas, United States of America, who recommend him for an instant lecturing appointment at the Benue state University, where he currently professes knowledge as a visiting lecturer in the History Department.
The renowned scholar, Dr. Terkura Suswam has a catalogue of publications that dwell on 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 renowned commentator on public issues, Dr. Terkura Suswam has also written countless commentaries which were featured in local, national and international print and electronic media, known to have created a positive impact in strengthening and shaping the general philosophical orientation of the management of public affairs in Nigeria.
Dr. Terkura Suswam, who is known as the great icon of humility with a high sense of responsibility, has demonstrated his great leadership prowls in different capacities of authority and the wisdom with which he leads are pointers to his unique leadership astuteness.
Between 1996 and 1997, the Associate Professor of Diplomatic History was saddled with the responsibility to steer the affairs of NUBESS as National President, and later became member, Board of Directors at Radio Benue Makurdi, from 2006-20015, where 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 eventually revamp its work force generally.
Chief Terkura Suswam has remained visibly active 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.
Also, on 5th May, 2015, the Sankera Traditional Council, unanimously elected Dr. Terkura Suswam as Tor Sankera the first, but the appointment was nullified by the then government of Dr. Samuel Ortom when he was Benue State Governor under the platform of the APC.
Going down the memory lane, the man Terkura Suswam, who can be described as a development tycoon, established Ashitech Global Resources with special interest in food processing in the year 2005.
As a dynamic Chief Executive Officer, Dr Terkura Suswam commenced the diversification of his investment in conformity with the principles of dynamics of the global capitalist system by expanding his business tentacles to an international conglomerate with divergent business interest by putting in place Ashi-tech Global Resources Ltd, Ashitech Global Digital Colour Seperation, Ashiwaves Radio and Ashi Polytechnic Anyiin, which is fully accredited by National Board for Technical Education, with the vision to commence Degree programs in affiliation with Benue State University by 2020.
Worthy of note is Computer Based Test Centre established at Anyiin for the purpose of writing the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Examinations, the NABTEB Centre at Ashi polytechnic Anyiin and the ongoing building project of a sixty bedroom capacity Modern Hotel at Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State with the vision to ensure A Home away from Home.
Other projects under view include the establishment of a Bank and International Market.
As a philosopher and philanthropist, Dr. Terkura Suswam has at different occasions, demonstrated his generous lifestyle by mobilizing his personal resources to address the critical infrastructural needs of people traced to the grassroots.
Some of the sponsored community based projects to his credit include: the donation of his house to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons with feeding and payment of their hospital bills, the donation of construction materials for the building of two-hundred and seventy-eight houses at Anyiin for the less privileged, Scholarship award to students of Gambe-Tiev Community Secondary School, where he sponsored their school fees for three consecutive terms and as well, registered the Senior Secondary Certification Examination for all prospective final year students.
Other projects executed to the credit of Dr. Terkura Suswam include: the enrolment of one-thousand, five-hundred pupils in school with all expenses taken care of, construction of schools and Churches, both Catholic and NKST within Gambe-Tiev, renovation of dilapidated buildings, construction of bridges and other projects too numerous to mention.
These and many other projects are put in place to complement government’s efforts in job creation and wealth generation for the overall growth and development of Benue state in particular and the nation at large, which makes Dr. Terkura Suswam one among the greatest employers of labour and in return, earned the man Terkura Suswam many heroic tittles as listed below:
Ø The ‘ZegeIwanger I Tiv, interpreted as the great Illumination of Tiv Nation, given to him by the Tiv Traditional Council in 2012.
Ø The Oryiman u GammbeTiev.
Ø Merit award for humanitarian service by Igala National Awareness Forum in 2012.
Ø The Ambassador for Peace, given to him by Universal Peace Federation in 2012.
Ø Merit Award in recognition of contributions to economic growth and communication industry in Benue state by Ambassador Supreme Council, Katsina-Ala 2012.
Ø Distinguished Son of Logo local government by Logo Youths Forum, 2013.
Ø Pillar of Community Development by United Nations organization, Banki Moon, 2013.
Ø Merit award in recognition of unparallel humanitarian and community service by Katsina-Ala club 1970, 2014.
Ø Philanthropist of the Year by NTA/UM Urban Mingles, 2013.
Ø Merit Award for structural and humanitarian service, by Igala National Awareness Forum, 2013.
Ø Award of Excellence in Crisis management and control by Gaambe-Tiev Youths Development Association, Makurdi branch 2016.
Ø A charitable and compassionate philanthropist by Atedze film production 2016.
Ø Bridge of Peace, philanthropist and community mobilizer by council of Tiv corps Member 2016 and,
Ø Ray of Hope for the common man, by Benue Motorcycle Association, Gaambe-Tiev branch, 2016 among others.
The Oryiman u GammbeTiev, a benevolent Arbiter, a great scholar, an industrialist and compassionate philanthropist, having contributed immensely towards national development, has relegated himself to stay in his village at Anyiin to salvage the people of Gambe-Tiev from their pains by contributing positively to their wellbeing.
According to Dr Terkura Suswam, national growth and development begins at grass-root level and staying closer to the people is the only way to understand their needs better, even as he called on other well-meaning individuals to draw closer to their communities to know the areas they need development most and as well, address their challenges amicably.
v Long Live Dr. Terkura Suswam
v Long Live Ashitech Conglomerate
Happy Birthday to an Enigma.
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