The Mzehemen u Tiv Foundation (MUTF), on Friday, August 1, conferred a posthumous Community Impact Award on late Major General Emmanuel Tsehemba Nienge. General Nienge passed away in 2022, after retirement from service. Before retirement rose to the position of Commander, Army Corps of Supply and Transport and was responsible for getting many Tiv sons and daughters into the Nigerian military.
Barr. Iveren Blessing Nienge (Mrs.), wife of the late General received the award on behalf of the family during a brief ceremony at the Abuja residence of the late Army General.
Miss Sophia Kwaghzan presented the award on behalf of Prof. Kohol Shadrach Iornem, MUTF’s founder and Executive Director.
The award is in recognition of late Gen. Nienge’s “significant contributions to the Tiv nation, particularly in uplifting Tiv sons and daughters through employment and been a unifying figure within the Tiv nation.”
“General Nienge’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence and community development have not gone unnoticed,” Miss Kwaghzan told the family.
“His exemplary efforts in public service and community development have distinguished him as a source of pride and inspiration to our people,” Prof. Kohol Iornem’s representative went on.
Along with the honour was a financial stipend of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) as a token of MUTF’s “deep gratitude.”
“We hope this support serves not only as recognition but also as encouragement for others to emulate the contributions of General Nienge to the Tiv nation,” the organisers said.
Mrs. Nienge, in response appreciated MUTF for its community development initiatives, describing Prof. Kohol as a son after his father – like father like son.
She said it was a thing of joy to have the representatives of MUTF to honour her late husband on the memorable day of his birthday anniversary (posthumously).
In a remark, Brigadier General Er, of Army Corps of Supply and Transport, while appreciating the founder and Executive Director of MUTF, Prof. Kohol, for the honour accorded the late Army General expressed his desire to contribute to everything that will bring development to Tivland, Benue State and Nigeria.
“We appreciate the founder of Mzehemen u Tiv Foundation. We are going to collaborate with you, we are going to relate with you, we are going to support you. We want to contribute to everything that will bring ‘mzehemen’ (development) to Tivland,” Brigadier General Er said.
He described the late General Nienge as someone who was “everything” to his family and thanked God that MUTF has opened the eyes of others about the good works of the late General.
On her part, Child Rights Consultant and former Director of Women and Children Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Barr. Aver Gavar, described late General Nienge as “somebody who touched a lot of lives” while alive. She commended the founder of MUTF for thinking right to confer the award.
“Since 2023 (he passed in 2022), 1st August has always been an emotional day for us but today you have brought something constructive so we are not going to cry,” she said.
Barr. Gavar went on to pledge her commitment to offering whatever services that MUTF may require of her given that the Foundation engages a lot in community works and development initiatives.
Mr. Mark Nienge, son and head of the late General Nienge’s family described the day as a special day to the family because it coincides with the birthday of the late General who he described as a father, teacher, peace builder, and community person.
“We thank you for honouring his legacies here on earth. It gives us joy and it consoles us that he lived right why he was here. It’s a lesson for all of us that are alive.
“When you live, it’s either you are remembered for something or you are not remembered at all. We thank you specially, MUTF, for honouring our father. You have uplifted our spirit and we are grateful,” Mr. Mark noted.
The MUTF Community Impact Award is reserved for individuals whose work, character, and contributions have made a lasting impact within the Tiv community and beyond.
MUTF is a non-profit organisation that aims to improve the social and economic situation of Tiv land in Benue State, Nigeria. It’s mission is to empower the Tiv people, support cultural preservation, and encourage community development.
Registered in both Nigeria and the UK, MUTF takes the lead initiatives in innovation, empowerment, and celebrating Tiv culture while recognising individuals who make positive contributions to society.
