I have written before about our dear brother, son, and silent achiever, Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho. I would like to use this opportunity to share a little more about him and then return to the story of the Mbaduku CBT Center.
They say respect is earned. Justice Tsoho has earned my respect and, judging by the many accolades being shared by Mbaduku citizens about him, it shows the respect of many others as well.
In my personal assessment of Mbaduku citizens who have reached the highest levels of public service, I would see the following:
- General John Mark Inienger – Governor of former Bendel State and Member of the Supreme Military Council
- Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho – Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria
- Mr. Ambrose Feese – Minister of State, Works and Housing
- Honorable Judge Margaret M. Igbetar – President, Customary Court, Benue State
- Orchivirigh Zaki Makir Zakpe, The first Tor Tiv
This is purely my personal opinion and judgment.
When I speak with Justice Tsoho, I often remind him that many youths regard him as one of Mbaduku's highest-ranking leaders today. His journey also shows young people that a child from Mbaduku who once went to the farm with his parents can rise to the highest levels through hard work and integrity, without taking shortcuts to what they call “hammer” or unexplained wealth.
Back to the Mbaduku CBT Center
I was in the USA when Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho called me on WhatsApp call about a time-sensitive opportunity for Mbaduku. We agreed to use the funds for an examination hall, and I asked Architect Adura to prepare a proposal and bill of quantities to be sent to NDIC urgently.
The initial award was ₦80 million. After deductions and withholding taxes, we received ₦72 million. Mbaduku, however, decided to build a larger hall that would meet JAMB requirements.
We expanded the building's length and width, added two suspended floors because of the available headroom, and upgraded the roofing to iron framing with 0.7-gauge roofing sheets. The ceiling and landscaping were also expanded. The building's current value now stands at ₦236 million which we used Shange la Mwem contribution to accomplish.
Beyond the CBT Hall, Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho has helped provide jobs to more than 20 Mbaduku sons and daughters. He has also contributed over ₦1 million toward sponsoring 10 indigent children at MCSST, supported DUKU DAY activities, and assisted Terungwa Feese with living expenses after receiving a scholarship to Russia.
From my conversations as PG, the Mbaduku people frequently recognize General John Mark Inienger, Engineer Joseph Iorhemen Igbetar, and Justice John Terhemba Tsoho for their contributions to employment, infrastructure, and human-capital development in Mbaduku.
Naming the CBT Center after Justice John Terhemba Tsoho was the plan during the commissioning of the CBT Center on August 29, 2026. Mbaduku proposed naming the CBT Center after Justice Tsoho. But he graciously declined because of the sensitivity of his office, as I shared here previously.
We therefore agreed to defer the naming until his retirement, when those concerns will no longer apply.
I repeat: the Mbaduku CBT Center will be named in honor of our dear son, Honorable Justice John Terhemba Tsoho.
We have a humble son whose contributions may sometimes be underappreciated. Many of us, however, know what he has done, continues to do, and has promised to do for Mbaduku. I simply wanted to share more about this great son of ours.
Shange la Mwem is working in Mbaduku!
God bless MDA! God bless Mbaduku!!