By Tahav Agerzua
Last Saturday, Emmanuel Iorliam Tyô, Director of the Directorate of Council Affairs at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, came across my programme promo on Facebook.
I was scheduled to present “Gurgur man Msaanyol vea Tahav Agerzua” on ASKiNG RADIO 98.5 SPEED FM, Makurdi, between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
The focus of the programme on Saturday, 28th March 2026, was Yamuel Yashi, one of the founding figures of Swange music and dance.
Swange remains the most popular Tiv dance, having risen to national and international prominence in 1969—a position it has maintained ever since.
Mr Tyô, a long-standing admirer of Tiv music, has been fascinated with Yamuel Yashi for decades. Many years ago, he encountered a write-up on Yashi by Professor Toryima Jenkwe in the library of the College of Education, Katsina-Ala. Unfortunately, the material was taken away by someone else before he could fully explore it.
The ASKiNG RADIO programme last Saturday provided a valuable opportunity for him to reconnect with the legacy of Yamuel Yashi, who passed away in November 1991.
Emmanuel Iorliam Tyô not only listened attentively but also recorded the programme for future reference. After obtaining my contact details from the promo, he reached out to me.
We met on Tuesday, 31st March 2026, at Welfare Quarters, Makurdi, where we spent over two hours discussing Tiv performers. During the meeting, Mr Tyô purchased a copy of Mbaduenti 1, a compendium featuring 22 performance legends, including Yamuel Yashi.
In addition, he generously donated a music library comprising works from 21 popular Tiv artistes in support of my ongoing efforts.
Both the summary and full details of my 1989 interview with Yamuel Yashi, along with profiles of other artistes, can be found in Legends and Mbaduenti 1, published by Culture Media Nigeria, located at No. 8 Atom Kpera Road, High Level, Makurdi. Further enquiries can also be made via WhatsApp on 070 31216041.
