At what seemed like just another spelling competition in Gboko, the administrative headquarters of the Tiv, Pastor Amos Atindiga shared a message that truly deserves to echo beyond the auditorium’s walls. Speaking at the 6th Edition of the Tiv Spelling Bee Competition (Gesa U Sangen ABAACA), organised by the Tiv People Worldwide Advancement Foundation (TPWAF), Pastor Atindiga encouraged Tiv children to do something that many adults struggle with: Step out of their comfort zone.
In front of Basic Schools students from nine different schools at Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Gboko, on June 27, Pastor Atindiga urged them not to limit their dreams to the borders of Benue State.
His message was refreshingly straightforward.
Get out there.
Meet people from different cultures. Discover how they think. Watch how they tackle challenges. Question your own assumptions. Compete with the best. Come back not just with certificates, but with fresh ideas, experiences, and a wider perspective on the world.
This was more than just career advice; it was a roadmap for personal growth and, ultimately, the growth of the Tiv nation.
Pastor Atindiga’s words brought to mind the timeless counsel of the late elder statesman, Wantaregh Paul Unongo. Shortly after Nigeria returned to democracy again in 1999, Wantaregh encouraged Tiv students from the University of Jos to “forget about home.” The students had visited him in his Jos residence. This wasn’t a call to abandon their roots; rather, it was a reminder not to let Benue dictate their futures. Build your future wherever opportunities arise. Let your skills, not your birthplace, define who you are.
More than twenty years later, Pastor Atindiga has breathed new life into that same philosophy for a fresh generation.
And he was speaking to just the right audience.
Teenagers are full of dreams. They’re adventurers at heart, brimming with curiosity and a willingness to take risks. We’ve all been there. They haven’t yet been held back by fear, cynicism, or the false sense of security that comes with settling for mediocrity. With the right guidance, they can grow into the innovators, entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders who will shape the future of the Tiv people.
History shows us that the Tiv have never been a timid group.
Our ancestors faced challenges head-on with bravery, determination, and hard work. Throughout Nigeria, the Tiv are celebrated as some of the country’s top food producers. But farming is just one part of our story. Tiv men and women have made their mark in education, medicine, engineering, law, the military, public service, business, sports, and the arts. Traits like intelligence, resilience, honesty, and diligence have long defined the Tiv identity.
The real question for today’s generation isn’t whether they have these qualities; it’s whether they’re ready to use them beyond their comfort zones.
That’s why Pastor Atindiga’s message is so timely.
Too many young people today view politics not as a means of serving the public but as a shortcut to survival. Instead of focusing on education, skill development, building businesses, or striving for professional excellence, many are waiting for political favors. They celebrate the small gains while overlooking the chance to create lasting wealth and influence through entrepreneurship and innovation.
No society can thrive that way.
Strong economies are built by individuals who create value, start businesses, solve problems, advance technology, and strengthen institutions—not by those whose dreams begin and end with political appointments or handouts.
Politics definitely has its role to play. After all, democracy relies on it. However, it shouldn’t consume an entire generation’s focus. In vibrant societies, elections come and go, and once they’re over, people head back to their farms, factories, labs, classrooms, hospitals, and businesses to keep building their nation. That’s when governance takes the reins from the political hustle.
That’s a culture we should aspire to.
Leaving Benue, even if just for a while, isn’t a sign of disloyalty. It’s actually an investment in gaining perspective. Exposure opens up the mind. It fosters discipline, competitiveness, innovation, and self-reliance. It allows young people to appreciate different cultures while still taking pride in their own. Most importantly, it equips them to come back home with fresh ideas that can truly transform their communities.
The Tiv have always had talent. What we sometimes lack is the exposure and the confidence to compete on bigger platforms.
Pastor Atindiga’s challenge was about so much more than just geography.
It was about breaking through mental barriers.
It was about stepping away from the comfort of what we know.
It was about embracing excellence, no matter where it’s found.
Above all, it was a rallying cry for young Tiv men and women to become proud heirs of a rich heritage; a community known for its courage, integrity, hard work, and honesty.
The future won’t belong to those who stay in their comfort zones. It will belong to those brave enough to venture out, compete globally, learn from the experience, and return home to create something greater than themselves.
