By Denen Achussah
At the 2016 KSS, held in Daudu, in the December of that year, I approached Wantaregh Paul Unongo and told him about my desire to have him in an exclusive interview. He obliged my request, asking me to come over to WanTor Farm House, Kendev, Kwande LGA, on the 2017 New Year Day.
Having one on one interview with Wantaregh Paul Unongo had always been my desire as a young journalist. That chanced encounter with him was my highest point at the 2016 KSS. In the intervening days, I gazed longingly to the New Year Day of 2017.
I left Makurdi and stopped at Ipav en route Kendev, on 31st December, 2016. Having secured a motorcycle for the next day’s journey, I went to bed. After service, on the New Year Day, I proceeded on my trip. I got to Kendev well after 2:00PM.
The WanTor Farm House can be accessed from Manyam. Its a straight road and I had no difficulties accessing it.
The appointment was very important to me. I was visiting the house of the oracle; the man I so much heard about and the air of awe, I came to experience, whenever he was in the building or around.
To me even if I did not achieve any other thing as a journalist, at least, I was able to keep Wantaregh in one place, asking him questions and he, answering my questions, without interference as long as the session lasted. That’s how elated I was.
WanTor Farm House gate opens to an irregular shaped gigantic building, to which Ate is attached. At the gate, I was indicated where to park my bike and was ushered into the Ate.
Everything pointed to the mood of the day: New Year Day feast. The locals had gathered in his house, to celebrate the New Year Day. I took a sit among them.
After a while, the oracle emerged from a door. From where he sat, one by one, the locals moved to greet him. Each he gave a peck. It was like God, giving attention to His children. Man, woman, little child, they all filed out, getting a peck from Wantaregh.
It was my turn. You’ve made it to this place. He said to me. I answered in the affirmative, making haste to reminding him of our appointment. He would assure me that he did not forget. “Sit down and feel at home,” he went on. I couldn’t protest. And I knew, I was going to spend the night.
Food was served. All the while, a live band played, as young girls entertained the occassion with majestic Tiv dance steps. As the night progressed, someone approached me that Wantaregh asked I should be shown a bed. I obliged. Turning to Wantaregh, I bade him goodnight. He assured me that “se lam kper pepe.”
Day break at WanTor Farm House. And I positioned myself in a manner Wantaregh must see me once he takes his seat. He eventually came out. And the ritual of greeting and pecks went on. When I took my turn to say “U nder ve?” Wantaregh held me by the hand and told me: “My son, now we can talk. Draw your chair.”
I smiled and immediately did as he said. “Nyen u nenge nahan vihi shin?” Wantaregh asked. It was inspiring, I told him. He went on to say that if what I saw in his house was going on simultaneously in two or three homes, I would see that the pressure won’t be much on one single individual. I got meaning into what he told me.
We went into the business of the day. He reminded me, how “the Tiv tradition, custom and value system abhors injustice ab initio.” He told me that given the disposition of the Tiv, the new Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof JOI Ayatse, who had just won the selection process can begin “the long journey of recalibrating the Tiv behaviour to become an important and integral part of the Nigeria milieu.”
I asked him about his famous question: Where do we go from here? After a thorough review, he summed it up: “So I think the question I posed is still relevant today.”
The Psychopathologist, who led the implementation of the psychological war aims of the Nigerian government, during the Civil War, opened up to me about his regret in life. He also told me that “the Tiv must know that whether they like it or not, they are part of a bigger country and there are other people who are not Tiv in this country (Nigeria).”
Keep a date with me, to read this no holds barred interview with Wantaregh Paul Iorpuu Unongo (PIU), KAOBA, KEFFI, OFR, 4MA Chair NEF, Abee Akaa u Tiv, Nyamtswam, Psychopathologist.
Huror wam Ibôr Adendem i Kwande, Fave Iorbee Anshor, san shosum ga, Wantaregh Lived.
Achussah writes from Makurdi, the Benue state capital
