Laughter echoed through a sea of vibrant Tiv attire as Makurdi came alive last night for the birthday celebration of Justice Theresa Mimi Shija, wife of Professor Terhemba Shija.
The cultural night, organized in her honor, pulsed with Benue’s rhythmic heartbeat – a tapestry of Swange dances, thumping agogo bells, and the earthy aroma of simmering okoho soup.
Under a canopy of twinkling stars at a lively Makurdi hall, guests in flowing black-and-white smocks and intricate A’nger wrappers gathered to toast the esteemed judge’s milestone.
Cultural troupes swirled in hypnotic Swange formations, their feet pounding red earth to wooden drumbeats that stirred ancestral pride. Elders spun folktales of resilient Tiv women, drawing knowing smiles from Justice Shija, whose poised presence anchored the festivities.
Her children, bubbling with excitement, led renditions of “happy birthday songs”, while family and friends shared heartfelt anecdotes of her nurturing spirit amid judicial demands.
The evening’s pinnacle arrived with the birthday cake – a towering, three-tiered marvel draped in white fondant, etched with Tiv motifs of unity and adorned with fresh orchids symbolizing grace.
Spotlights bathed the couple as Prof. Terhemba Shija, ever the devoted partner, gently guided his wife’s hands to the knife.
Together, they sliced through the first layer, sweet vanilla scent wafting as confetti burst overhead. Cheers erupted; tears glistened in Justice Shija’s eyes as she embraced her husband, their children rushing forward for hugs.
“This moment captures everything – love, family, and Benue’s enduring spirit,” Prof. Shija whispered, the crowd’s applause sealing the tender scene. Platters of pounded yam, bushmeat pepper soup, and sweet potato fries followed, fueling merry conversations till late.
Amid the jubilation, subtle murmurs from attendees hinted at broader Benue yearnings.
Local elders and youth leaders, mingling over plates of delicacy, voiced a quiet groundswell: Benue needs Prof. Shija on the 2027 ballot.
“He’s the steady hand we’ve prayed for,” one chief confided, nodding to Shija’s intellectual heft.
A Professor of English and African Literature at Nasarawa State University, where he also serves as Director of the Centre for Governance and Development, Shija blends scholarly depth with policy savvy.
His prospects as a 2027 governorship hopeful shine amid incumbent dissatisfaction.
This academic edge – honed through literature’s narrative power and governance research – contrasts sharply with Governor Hyacinth Alia’s delivery shortfalls.
Persistent herder-farmer violence claimed 500+ lives in 2025 (International Crisis Group), unemployment idles 45% of youth, and crumbling roads like Makurdi-Gboko mock federal funds.
Budget execution at 52% (BudgIT) fuels opacity gripes, eroding trust in Alia’s federal-leaning style.
Shija’s vision draws from his Centre’s work: agricultural revival via modern storage, security through community policing informed by African literature’s communal ethos, and digital leaps for Benue’s “food basket” status.
Early polls peg him at 28% favorability (Benue Policy Initiative), his Tiv unity and anti-corruption stance rallying 1.5 million voters.
“The people are calling – time to answer,” a youth performer remarked post-Swange, capturing the sentiment.
Justice Shija’s colleague hailed her “fair bench,” amplifying the couple’s appeal.
As fireworks painted the night sky, the Shijas departed hand-in-hand, leaving whispers of hope.
Benue’s grassroots call grows: Put Prof. Shija on the ballot for a transformed state.
