James Akperan Orshi

His Royal Highness, Orchivirigh James Akperan Orshi (Late) was the third Tor Tiv, the paramount traditional ruler of the Tiv people, enthroned in April 1979. A lawyer by training, he built an extensive career in education, law, and the civil service of the former Benue-Plateau State and Benue State before his enthronement. He was honoured with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). He was married and had children.

James Akperan Orshi was born on 12 March 1925 at Tse Kur Baka, Gboko, Benue State.

He attended Gboko Elementary School (1934-38), Middle School, Katsina-Ala (1938-43), the Elementary Training Centre, Bauchi (1943-46), and the Higher Elementary Training Centre, Katsina (1951-52). He later studied at the Institute of Education, University of London, England (1956-57), and the Institute of Administration, Zaria (1958-60). He was called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple, London, in 1963, and attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, the same year.

Orshi began his career as a school teacher in 1946, before serving as Headmaster of Gboko Senior Primary School (1948-53) and Vandeikya Senior Primary Boarding School (1954-57), and as a Visiting Teacher (1958-63). Following his legal training, he served as Associate Magistrate (1963-65), Magistrate (1965-67), and Senior Magistrate (1967-69). He was subsequently appointed Chief Registrar and Commissioner for Area Courts of the former Benue-Plateau State (1969-70), Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary (1970-72), and Administrative Officer (1972-74). He was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the former Benue-Plateau State (1974-76), and served as Secretary to the Military Government and Head of the Civil Service of Benue State (February-June 1976). He was also formerly Chairman of Nigeria Airways Limited.

James Akperan Orshi was enthroned as the third Tor Tiv in April 1979, following an extensive career in law, education, and public administration. As Tor Tiv, he held the traditional title "The Tor Tiv III."

Honoured with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Held senior positions across the judiciary and civil service of the former Benue-Plateau State, including Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Secretary to the Military Government and Head of Civil Service of Benue State.

As the third Tor Tiv, Akperan Orshi brought a background in law and public administration to the traditional leadership of the Tiv people, having served at senior levels of the judiciary and civil service before his enthronement in 1979.

His enthronement as the third Tor Tiv, following a distinguished career spanning education, law and public administration, reflected the continuing evolution of the Tor Tiv institution and the calibre of its successive holders.

• 12 March 1925 — Born at Tse Kur Baka, Gboko, Benue State
• 1934-1938 — Attended Gboko Elementary School
• 1938-1943 — Attended Middle School, Katsina-Ala
• 1943-1946 — Attended Elementary Training Centre, Bauchi
• 1946 — Began working as a school teacher
• 1948-1953 — Headmaster, Gboko Senior Primary School
• 1951-1952 — Attended Higher Elementary Training Centre, Katsina
• 1954-1957 — Headmaster, Vandeikya Senior Primary Boarding School
• 1956-1957 — Attended Institute of Education, University of London, England
• 1958-1960 — Attended Institute of Administration, Zaria
• 1958-1963 — Visiting Teacher
• 1963 — Called to the English Bar, Middle Temple, London; attended Nigerian Law School, Lagos
• 1963-1965 — Associate Magistrate
• 1965-1967 — Magistrate
• 1967-1969 — Senior Magistrate
• 1969-1970 — Chief Registrar and Commissioner for Area Courts, Benue-Plateau State
• 1970-1972 — Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Benue-Plateau State
• 1972-1974 — Administrative Officer, Benue-Plateau State
• 1974-1976 — Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Benue-Plateau State
• February-June 1976 — Secretary to the Military Government and Head of Civil Service, Benue State
• April 1979 — Enthroned as the third Tor Tiv

• Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation (BLERF). "ORSHI, His Royal Highness Orchivirigh James Akperan (Late)." blerf.org (info@blerf.org). Last updated 8 March 2017.