BEST CAT DANCER IN TOWN
By Tahav Agerzua
The moment he hit the stage the entire atmosphere in the arena changed. The audience was spell bound. This happened in the evening of 7th January, 2024. The venue was Kenville Park, High Level, Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Terungwa Msughter Dzeremo, born on 1st October, 1990 in Mbatie, Buruku local government area, was the first of three contestants called up stage.
Olive Performing Troupe Makurdi organized a New Year Hangout which featured cultural dance competitions and Tsuwe Tsele, the Cat Dance, was on the menu.
His agile movements across the stage, adept imitation of the cat’s mannerisms, as well as captivating dance steps, within the ten minutes stipulated by the judges, marked him out as the contestant to beat.
Later, the judges were unanimous that he was the best out of the three.
This best dancer was recruited to replace his father, Msughter Dzeremo, a drummer with the performing troupe of the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture, in 2009.
When the deceased who had been recruited passed suddenly within one year his son was drafted to fill the vacuum.
At the council, the artiste has been drilled to perform all the dances in the repertoire of the troupe, Swange, Aja, Odabaru, Tsa Utu, and all others.
However, in his early years at the council, two senior colleagues, Mrs. Janet Daagba, and Priscilla Ashiekaa, had urged him to get close to a master cat dancer, Tyover Iorvihi,
and undergo tutelage.
He obeyed and even went the extra mile by purchasing a video album of the master and copying his dance steps from it.
Subsequently, Iorvihi also passed and Terungwa has stepped into his shoes.
MY HEALING TESTIMONY
– By Pastor Dr Mrs. Victoria Shikaan
A childhood environment of love
I opened my eyes to a world that was full of love, hope and joy as a child. I grew up and felt loved and needed by everyone around me. I ate and drank to my satisfaction but was not spoiled. I was thought to work hard but was not abused or maltreated. I had adult figures who were devoted to God and were pointers to righteousness. I remember the night my mum took us to watch as she was being baptized. I remember at about the age of 5-6 years, I was baptized at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Kawo in Kaduna State where I singularly chose the name Victoria against my mother’s wish. I remember my mother’s first daughter read the Tiv Bible to my hearing and got me interested in reading same. I remember my grandmother handing me a copy of the Tiv Bible and sitting down to hear me read to her until she memorized the verses she would use for her message at Mzough U Kase Wednesday meeting in her NKST church. I remember the Reverend Sisters particularly, Sister Mary Paul Asoegwu who had a keen interest in my person and gave me every encouragement I needed to excel as a student and a young girl. I remember my sister, Mrs. Veronica Avenya and her brother in-law Bishop Williams Amove Avenya who were pointers to a religious life and success for me.
The other side of life
However, despite all these good examples, influences and support, at about the age of 16 years, precisely, when I was in form four; I began to see the other side of life. It began in January 1994 when my father passed on and my mother who was the bread winner also took ill. I always describe that period as light-off for my family. School fees no longer came and I was never sure when exactly it would be paid. It looked like my sister and I would drop out of school but God did not allow it. We took over mama’s trade while on holiday to support ourselves in school; grand mum of blessed memory supported us as much as she could until we completed secondary school. I had to work for about two years, missing two sessions, before I could complete the outstanding fees and collected my WASC result. As soon as that was done, I picked up application forms into higher education, and was finally admitted into the College of Education, Katsina-Ala. I had faith that sponsorship would come and it did come. My employer, Mr. Timothy T. Aondoa-Akaa that I had served committedly offered to sponsor me. I had written earlier on to relations like Bishop Avenya then in Manchester who agreed to support. However, the closest help I could easily access was my grandmother who always did her best to provide for me. God helped me and I graduated successfully.
Encounter with Jesus
While a student I gave my life to Jesus Christ during one of the special programmes organized by FCS at the Geography lecture room of the college. One thing worthy of thanks to God is that I am not blind. I had an eye problem in my early childhood that took my mother and me to so many hospitals including the National Eye Center, Kaduna. She had to sell some properties to handle my health challenge. My sight stabilized only when I gave my life to Christ and was prayed for some months later by Uncle Gbile Akanni at a crusade organized by the FCS College of Education Katsina-Ala.
Marriage
During my NCE programme I also got married while a student and as God will have it, my husband was retained in ABU Zaria after service as a graduate assistant. I joined him immediately after my NCE to start a degree programme. During my undergraduate studies I gave birth to two boys within a three-year degree programme but graduated within the stipulated six semesters with a good result- for this I must thank God.
Career path
When I graduated, my desire was to work with the university but God had an entirely different plan. God showed me a primary school to go and serve there, I outrightly rejected that offer and became offended at God and those he was using to encourage that plan. God told me that he would pay my bills, and take care of me. He confirmed it through my prayer partner and friend, Professor Sade Omokore, who repeated the same words “go and do the work, if it is salary, God will take care of you”. I decided to obey and joined in the service of the Children Evangelism Ministry (CEM). Later in my service I was given admission to do a masters degree in curriculum and instruction in 1995 but there was no supervisor for me. Nevertheless, I knew it was God’s delay to mature me for his service. God kept me in the service of CEM for four years as a teacher and later Head teacher of the Total Child Bible School, Samaru, Zaria. During this period, God trained me as a child evangelist, administrator and missionary. I am thankful to God both for the wealth of experience I gained working with CEM and for proving to me that he watches over his anointed.
Healed of Cancer
I was diagnosed a cancer infected patient in 1995 at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) but God cancelled that report. My father in the Lord, Bishop David Bakare and JAWOM brethren prayed. I also took a seven-day fast during which the Lord encountered me on the last day. Around 9 am I was caught up in a vision where I saw heaven open and worship I cannot describe with words was going on. An angel descended from heaven, removed the lump in my armpit, showed me, and flew back. I woke up and discovered the place was normal, I returned to the hospital and it was confirmed by the consultant surgeon that I was alright. Bill number one paid for accepting to serve God. Praise the Lord!
Relocation to Makurdi
As God was dealing with me, my husband was having his own experiences and later resigned his appointment as a lecturer with ABU Zaria. He kept sharing revelations until January 1998 when it was clear that God wanted us back to Benue. I was already cooked for ministry and had no fears whatsoever. We boldly moved to Makurdi to begin the work.
Graduate studies
While vigorously pursuing the ministry I had forgotten the idea of furthering my education until 2001 when God spoke to me audibly in a night vision to go pick a form and do a post graduate programme. I went to inquire and discovered that my course of interest was just being introduced at Masters Level in the Faculty of Education at the Benue State University. By 2002 I started a Masters Degree under the Department of Curriculum and Teaching and it was a period of drilling and refining. By the time I was rounding up my husband kept speaking into my ears, round up and do a PhD. Again, I went to the Lord and inquired, should I? After a while I had a vision where I found myself defending a PhD and I gladly enrolled for the PhD. Along the way, it looked like I will not make it, the work load was getting beyond me and the exhaustion was almost unbearable but God heard my plea for help and saw me through.
Overseas training
I desired to take a trip abroad, even before my defense, to get some kind of training on early childhood education. Dramatically, God got me involved with a lady who had information about what I needed. Miraculously, God gave me a multiple entry visa into America and in a couple of months arrangements were completed for the journey. I had very exciting two weeks’ stay and learnt a lot. I am grateful to God who satisfies all our desires.
Mentorship
I will not forget to appreciate Professor Mrs. Elizabeth Gyuse, for her wonderful mentorship, she opened her library for me and I used all that was available and relevant to me. She always encouraged me to work hard. Sometimes she would harass me by sending text messages or visiting my office to say hey! everybody is graduating and leaving you, get up and work. I remain eternally grateful to you, Ma.
My supervisor, Professor C. O. Abah, taught me as an undergraduate student in ABU Zaria, supervised my Masters and Doctorate Degree works. He has become more of a father than lecturer to me. One thing I cherish was that his gentle comment “you have worked hard” Mrs. Shikaan, be bold to defend your work. That is what he would say at the end of my research. God bless you Sir.
My second supervisor, Professor J.O. Eriba, is wonderful, he is always time conscious and encouraged me to work smart and hard, we his students described him as a perfect gentleman. He correctly exemplifies a godly man. Remain blessed Sir.
I cannot say it all, but must not forget my personal brother and friend, Dr. E. E Achor. I knew him only during my PhD programme but he helped in building me as a thorough researcher. God bless him.
My gentle friend and sister, Professor Mrs. Regina Samba, I cherish your constructive criticism and useful contributions with Professor Nicholas Ada and all the lovely and wonderful men and women of the Department of Curriculum and Teaching, BSU. I must say, I found academics quite interesting with you. You will fulfill your careers in Jesus name. I also appreciate all my classmates in PhD Science and Education class 2007 for the unity and team spirit that I enjoyed.
Last but not the least, my amiable husband, who carried on so much without breaking; God has been your strength. You’ve been a father, a husband and mentor, my teacher, pastor and brother. No man can ever equal you in my life. As a young woman you have kept our home, nursed me and the children, paid our fees along with those looking up to you. You are a lovely husband, if marriage will happen in eternity, I will still choose you!
Sundry appreciation
To my children, wards, friends, admirers, the Noble Ladies of Spirit Life Christian Assembly and well-wishers, I appreciate you greatly for your support. Blessing Martins, The Shepherd Heritage Academy then administrative officer, worked hard at typing my writings. She worked long hours and odd times to help me, God bless you and help you at your hour of need. To all my staff, particularly, my head of sections, thank you for co-operating in managing the school. God bless you all.
To everyone that God has used on this journey of success and glory you will never lose your reward. I dare not leave out my siblings for their love and care, Mrs. Mary Aha, Mrs. Veronica M. Avenya, Mrs. Torkwase Aondo who helped me to nurse our first baby, Mrs. Rhoda Member Orban, Mr. Paul Aondona Ayua, Pastor Teryima P. Ayua Esq., Mr. Godwin Terhemba Ayua, our eldest brother and all others, there is a sense of fulfillment and assurance when I remember you are there and you are indeed worthy and lovable brethren, God bless you.
The Lord of Lords and King of Kings
Help me to stand up and hail the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords who knows how to show mercy to those who do not deserve it. Who raised me from the dunghill and set my feet on the rock to stay, praise him who gives thrones to those who are not deserving of such, and honour to those who are not worthy. I submit all my trophies and degrees both the one I now have and would ever have. May his name alone be praised forever.
This is my Thanksgiving to God from a grateful heart.
Culled from programme brochure of thanksgiving service in honour of Pastor Dr. Mrs. Victoria Shikaan, in celebration of her PhD on Saturday, 7th December, 2013, at Spirit Life Christian Assembly.
BENUE SECURITY OUTFIT BORN
Pushed to the wall by unrelenting massacres of Benue indigenes by armed Fulani militia over the years, State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has established a security outfit to assist relevant conventional agencies in tackling the challenge.
The Governor unveiled the outfit on Thursday, August 4, 2022, during the passing out parade of the first batch of 500 personnel of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards at the IBB Square, Makurdi.
Ortom stated that the sustained attacks since 2011 have claimed more than 5,000 lives in the state.
From media reports, the attacks in Guma and Logo local government areas on New Year Day in 2018 left more than 100 dead with 73 bodies given state mass burial in Makurdi on 11th January of that year.
In March of the same year 26 victims, including women and children, of attacks on Omusu community of Edumoga in Okpokwu local government were given mass burial.
On Monday, 24th April, 2018, 17 parishioners including two priests, Reverend Fathers Joseph Gôr and Felix Tyolaha were murdered at their morning mass at Ukpor-Mbalom in Gwer local government area.
In Kwande and Agatu local government areas of the state mass burials have been too numerous to list.
There have also been attempts on the lives of Benue State Governors with Gabriel Suswam barely escaping in 2013 in Guma, and Samuel Ortom running for his life at Tyo-Mu, Makurdi local government area in 2021.
The report of an investigation conducted by a panel set up by the Bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs in the state revealed that as at 2015 more than N90 billion worth of property had been destroyed across the state by the Fulani militia in a well coordinated and executive scorched earth policy.
In 2021 Governor Ortom disclosed that the destruction was estimated at over N400 billion.
Currently, Benue State has more than 1, 500,000 displaced persons living in deplorable makeshift camps and wherever they can find refuge across the state, says Governor Ortom.
After he signed the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 on May 22nd of that year, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore declared public opposition to the law stating that the crises in the Benue Valley was a struggle for natural resources.
They vowed to mobilize Fulani militia across the world to attack the state which they eventually did as stated in some of the attacks listed above.
Governor Ortom had reported the threats to the Presidency through personal visits and numerous letters which were not replied.
Meanwhile, the Fulani Nationality Movement issued press statements declaring Jihad on Nigeria, particularly Benue State for what it described as the people’s recalcitrance since the 1804 Jihad.
A 2015 World Terrorism Index report ranked Fulani militia as the fourth most deadly in the world.
Rather than perform its constitutional role of protecting Nigerian lives and property the Presidency has exhibited open support for the Fulani conquest and occupation agenda.
In the aftermath of the 2018 New Year genocide President Muhammadu Buhari admonished Governor Ortom and the high-powered delegation he led to visit him “to learn to live with their neighbors.”
Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina later cautioned citizens, in a media chat, to choose between ancestral lands and their lives. Prominent Federal Government officials have made public statements of overt support for the Fulani conquest and occupation agenda.
Moreover several Federal Government policies such as Ruga, gazetted cattle routes and the Water Resources bill amplify rather than abate fears of an exclusive occupation agenda.
In an open letter to the President dated 8th February, 2021, Governor Ortom had called on President Buhari to act before Fulani herdsmen plunge Nigeria into war. Again, the letter fell on deaf ears.
This is the context in which the Benue State Security outfit has been born.
An investigation conducted by Thisday newspaper in 2020 revealed that 23 states in the country were operating local security outfits.
The most prominent of these outfits is Amotekun established on 9th January 2020 by the six South-West states of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti.
Mixed reactions followed Governor Ortom’s unveiling.
The Benue State Peoples Democratic Party in a statement said “the party sees the step as inevitable where the national security architecture under the control of the federal government has proven inadequate to guarantee protection of the lives and properties of citizens in the state from criminals and terrorists.”
The All Progressives Congress, APC, said it viewed with “a lot of suspicion, the sudden flaunting of a security outfit by Governor Samuel Ortom at the wee hours of his administration.”
The Tiv Youth Organization, TYO, maintained that “since conventional security seems either compromised or unable to combat and contain these terrorists, community vigilance is drafted in to offer support. This is exactly what was instituted in Benue State by the government of the day.”
MBAPUUN ATIME: GOD’S PENCIL
Some major events in the life of Rhoda Mbapuun Atime underscore the fact that she has been a pencil in God’s hand. The Almighty has used her to write as it has pleased Him. She grew up in a rustic setting without the tutelage of her mother who had separated from her father when she was a kid.
Her father who did not understand the importance of education had vowed that none of his children, especially the female ones, would waste time in school. Rather than being sent to school, Mbapuun was sent to keep vigil on his millet farm to prevent birds from ravaging it. But as they say, God works in miraculous ways his wonders to perform. It at in the farm that she learned how to read and write and also came to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
One of her relatives who also kept vigil on a nearby farm used to sing Christian songs and hymns which fascinated the young Mbapuun. Anytime the birds relented attacks on the millet she would visit the relative and request to be taught. The neighbor who knew the Lord used to take the Tiv New Testament Bible along with a hymn book and some Christian literature to the farm. At that time the complete Tiv Bible had not been published. It was this neighbor who led Mbapuun to Christ and also taught her how to read the Tiv Bible and other literature in the language.
When she reached puberty her father compelled her to marry someone who she later discovered to be an occultist. Her husband took her to Jos and after they had two children abandoned her. It was through God’s intervention that she legally divorced and rejoined her family in Nanev, Kwande local government area of Benue State.
All this while Mbapuun was faithful in growing in the faith and serving God under the NKST Christian denomination. She was later remarried to Atime Genga, a man from Utange in Ushongo local government area.
Mbapuun stated that the Lord appeared to her in several dramatic visions and commissioned her to serve Him in the music ministry. At first she said she was hesitant but when the Lord insisted she yielded. Since then she has composed numerous hymns for the NKST Choir and Sunday School. Eight of her hymns appear in the NKST 1926-2019 hymnal.
Perhaps the most popular of her hymns is “Sarem u wuese Tor shaayange a umawam” I wish to praise the King all the days of my life. When she had the privilege of embarking on pilgrimage to Israel in 2017 she gave a brief testimony of her life and also sang that hymn. How she went on pilgrimage is a story for another day. For this narrative suffice it to state that God put it in someone’s heart to sponsor her for the journey without her ever soliciting. Mbapuun Atime, now close to her eighties, also used to take care of the less privileged and invest her resources in church building projects when she was younger and healthier. Now ailing and feeble, this pencil in God’s hands is waiting for the final strokes from the master artist.
DR BEM UGOH: A VENDOR ON THE MOVE
Between 1988 and 1989 I was the Managing Editor of a vernacular newspaper called Abaver a Tyô. The highly cerebral and vocal university administrator and public commentator, Dr. Bem Ugoh, now 52, was a teenager at the time. He had just completed secondary school education at Government Secondary school Gboko.
In those days, there were a lot of cultural activities in Gboko, the most prominent of which was the Tiv Day Celebration. The BCC Lions Football Club was also at the zenith of its glory.
Dr. Ugoh, who hails from a prominent family in Ipav community in Gboko local government area, loved these public occasions. One day he saw me with a bundle of the Tiv language newspaper and offered to collect and sell them for me. Time has passed and I cannot recollect the exact occasion. Yet I do remember that I employed him promptly as one of my vendors.
Over time our paths have crossed so many times. Our abiding mutual interests seem to be politics and traditional cultural activities. At the beginning of the current democratic dispensation, Bem Ugoh was State Secretary of the All Peoples Party, APP, between 1998 and 1999. I was appointed Chief Press Secretary to Governor George Akume who had been elected Governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Our paths crossed once again.
At one time, Bem was a prominent member of the Benue Proactive Coalition, a group that put the Akume administration on its toes and gave us some tough time. While he was an attacker on the other side, I was a staunch defender on Akume’s team.
Later however, we have come to play on the same team on the Tiv traditional cultural turf.
Between 2017 and 2022 we have played joint roles in hosting and celebrating Tiv oral performance legends.
On 25th August, 2017 we hosted Pevkyaa Zegi at Mrs Hembadoon Agashua’s Villamart in North Bank, Makurdi. Unfortunately we lost the legend the very next year and Bem Ugoh accompanied me to deliver his body to the family in Zaki Biam on 30th November, 2018. Zegi died at the Federal Medical Center in Makurdi on the second of the month.
On 20th October, 2019, Dr. Ugoh invited me to witness his presentation of musical equipment to the legendary Swange maestro, Neeyum Kaor, better known as Udoo Mbalagh, when he retired from the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture. On Saturday 2nd July, 2022 Dr Ugoh, with a few friends including myself, celebrated Udoo Mbalagh at 86, at Kanshio, a suburb of Makurdi. The Swange legend had clocked 86 in February this year but the birthday anniversary had hitherto not been celebrated because the celebrant had relocated to his village in Mbalagh, Buruku local government area.
On that day we had the opportunity to interact on other issues especially on Benue politics. Dr. Ugoh was incisive and insightful, his analysis of political developments in Benue State was unassailable. For instance, he described the current political circles in the state as political occultism where only the masters and a few subservient pawns on their chessboard comprehend their moves.
Come to think of it, Dr. Ugoh had the privilege of political tutelage under the best masters in the state including Paul Unongo and Abu King Shuluwa. As far back as 1990 these two exposed my former newspaper vendor to the current major players on the Nigerian political field. He was inducted into Shehu Musa Yar’adua’s Patriotic Front, PF, in the late 80’s.
He personally met several prominent players including General Yar’adua himself, Atiku Abubakar, Senator Bola Tinubu, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, and a host of others of blessed memory like Rev Fr Moses Adasu, M.K.O Abiola, Chuba Okadigbo and Arthur Nzeribe. Dr. Ugoh has been on talking terms with most prominent political leaders in Benue State including Senator Barnabas Gemade, Senator George Akume, Governor Samuel Ortom, as well as the paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Professor James Ayatse.
The former vernacular Newspaper vendor graduated as a member of the pioneer set of the Political Science Department of the Benue State University in 1996. He went on to acquire two masters degrees in International Relations and Strategic Studies as well as Political Economy and Development Studies. Dr Ugoh crowned his academic pursuits with a PhD in Political Economy and Development Studies at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
The Tiv maintain that mushrooms sprout where previous ones had grown. The late Matthew Ugoh, father of the vendor, had been admitted at the Ahmadu Bello University to read Law alongside the late Barrister Joe Omaku, Solomon Lar and others. However his love for music made him join Bongos Ikwue and his band which preoccupied him such that he left without the law degree.
But he later picked a degree in Music from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and ended up as a journalist with the New Nigerian Newspapers.
The late Matthew Ugoh who was a contemporary of the late Paul Loko, Alhaji Ibn Anyamikyegh and Elder Simon Shango at the New Nigerian in Kaduna was the one who set up the Benue State office of the newspaper in Makurdi.
Later he served as a pioneer member of the board of the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture under Professor Iyorwuese Hagher. One can now see where this mushroom, Dr. Bem Ugoh, now a senior staff of the Registry Department of the J. S. Tarka University has sprouted.
Meanwhile, this newspaper vendor, a philanthropist and community as well as political mobilizer, has been on the move ever since we met over 30 years ago. He marks his 52nd birthday anniversary on August 25th, 2022.
PASTOR DR MRS VICTORIA SHIKAAN: A PROFILE
Family
Pastor Dr. Mrs. Veronica Mngohol Shikaan is the daughter of the late Mr. John Ayua Ingbiase and Mrs. Martina Kwaghza Ayua of Mbaanyam, Ukan in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State. She is the fifth among 10 children (three are late) of Mama Kwaghza Ayua and the 12th child among 24 children of her late father. She is married to Rev. Thomas Orsar Shikaan of Mbawuav, Mbayion in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State. They are blessed with four biological children, Saater Ruth Nder, Stephen Imoter, Alpha Kwaghuter, David Shieuter-kuma.
Education
She began primary school at Central Primary School Gboko, and was transferred by her father to NKST Primary School, Anzwar in 1976. After primary education she got admission into Divine Love Catholic Girls Secondary School, Katsina-Ala as one of the pioneer students in 1981. Dr. Mrs. V. M. Shikaan showed outstanding academic and leadership qualities early in life, despite her eye challenges. In primary four, one of her teachers, Mrs. Nyagba, recommended her for appointment as prefect and in primary five she was made assistant Head Girl of the school. During her secondary school education she served as senior prefect (head girl) of the pioneer set of the school. Throughout her primary and secondary schools she was known to be among the top three in her class in academics.
At graduation she won the best behaved student award and best in academics, of the pioneer set of Divine Love Catholic Girls Secondary School Kastina-Ala. She proceeded to the College of Education, Katsina-Ala in 1987 where she studied Biology/Chemistry. While at the College of Education Katsina-Ala she got married to her husband, Rev. T. O. Shikaan and moved to join him at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where he was a lecturer, to read Integrated Science in 1990 and graduated in 1994. She participated in the youth service programme in Kaduna State, during which she did primary assignment at the Total Child Bible School, Zaria (under the Children Evangelical Ministry) between 1994 and 1995. During her youth service she also took the basic course on Child Evangelism and worked with Child Evangelical Ministry (CEM) as a children missionary worker.
She continued in the service of CEM as a senior children missionary worker and headmistress of Total Child Bible School Samaru, Zaria until the family relocated to Makurdi, Benue State in 1998 to pioneer a new work. She continued to serve in the ministry until 2002 when the Lord impressed on her mind to further her studies.
While working along with her husband to raise their first school, The Shepherd Heritage Academy, Makurdi, she enrolled for a masters degree at the Benue State University, in the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in 2002 where she obtained a Masters of Education Degree in Science Education.
In 2007 she enrolled for a Doctorate degree in the same department and earned a PhD in Science education. During the summer of 2013, she travelled to the United States of America where she attended a week long intensive training, with emphases on early literacy, child development, writing and culture, under the School of Literacy and Culture at the Rice University in Houston, Texas, United States of America, USA.
Career
Pastor Dr. Mrs. Victoria M. Shikaan after secondary school education took a job with Great Nigeria Supplies Gboko, from 1986-1987 as a cashier. After her first degree she served with Children Evangelism Ministry, Zaria where she rose to the rank of headmistress before her family relocated to Makurdi where she has been involved with her husband in the ministry which includes raising children and adults and nurturing them for Christ. Together they have also raised The Shepherd Heritage Academy, New Covenant Christian College and other primary schools in Katsina-Ala, Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area, and Awaji in Gwer west Local Government Area of Benue State. Pastor Dr. Mrs. Shikaan has received several awards for excellent leadership and immense contribution to the society especially in the area of education.