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Hardball
Radio Benue: After rice or ex-DG?
By James Ibechi
The airwaves of Radio Benue are crackling with controversy, but not for reasons that uplift journalism or public service.
Instead, the station has found itself at the center of an embarrassing spectacle, fueled by grievances over the sharing of palliative rice—a gesture of goodwill from Governor Hyacinth Alia.
What should have been a moment of gratitude has instead spiraled into a public mudslinging match, dragging even an unblemished former Director General, Dr. Charles Iornumbe, into the fray.
The saga unfolded like a poorly scripted drama during a press conference organized by the Radio Benue chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Led by Comrade Paul Mandeun, the NUJ chairman, the event aimed to air grievances over the distribution of 50 bags of rice allocated by the governor to the station’s staff.
Mandeun alleged mismanagement and inequity in the sharing formula, claiming that only three bags were allocated to the newsroom out of 50. But what began as a rice-sharing squabble quickly snowballed into a series of baseless allegations, with fingers pointed in every direction, including at Dr. Iornumbe, who left the station with a clean slate.
The Radio Benue chapel of the NUJ has not only shown its hand but also overplayed it.
Instead of addressing internal grievances with tact and professionalism, it chose to wash its dirty linen in public.
Worse still, it dragged the name of a man who served the station with integrity through the mud, casting a shadow of doubt on the union’s intentions and credibility.
One might wonder: how did a simple gesture of goodwill from Governor Alia turn into a carnival of accusations? Instead of singing the governor’s praises for his effort to cushion economic hardship, the NUJ turned a festive gesture into a public relations disaster.
As things stand, it’s Radio Benue—and by extension, the journalism profession in the state—that bears the brunt of this self-inflicted wound.
The accusations against Dr. Iornumbe, spearheaded by one Orga Afiagh, are particularly troubling.
Afiagh alleged that the former DG has been meddling in the station’s affairs from behind the scenes, claiming he was orchestrating crises to cover up corruption.
These claims, made without a shred of evidence, are not just laughable but a clear case of transferring aggression.
Dr. Iornumbe, by all indications, handed over the baton of leadership at Radio Benue without a stain on his record. During his tenure, he left footprints that staff should look up to, not trample on with baseless accusations.
His call for unity and professionalism in resolving internal disputes is a far cry from the blame game that the NUJ Radio Benue chapel has chosen to play.
It is also baffling that the union’s actions have inadvertently cast Governor Alia in a negative light.
The governor, whose act of generosity should have been met with gratitude, now finds his name entangled in unnecessary drama.
Instead of rallying support for the governor’s policies and goodwill, the union has managed to shoot itself in the foot, tarnishing both the governor’s gesture and the union’s reputation.
The Benue State Council of the NUJ must step in to right this sinking ship. The council needs to take the bull by the horns and investigate the handling of this matter.
Afiagh, whose reckless statements have brought disrepute to the former DG, should tender an unreserved public apology.
The council must ensure that such unprofessional conduct does not rear its ugly head again.
Radio Benue, as it stands, paints a picture of confusion—a house divided against itself.
This is not the kind of atmosphere that fosters growth or professionalism. Instead of engaging in public spats, the station’s staff and leadership should focus on rebuilding its image and addressing internal issues with maturity.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: this is not about rice, and it’s certainly not about Dr. Iornumbe.
This is about professionalism, integrity, and the need to keep the journalism profession in Benue State from descending into chaos.
The NUJ must take a long, hard look in the mirror and retrace its steps before it becomes a laughingstock in the eyes of the public.
For Radio Benue to move forward, it must mend its fractured house and put its priorities in order.
Let those involved in this debacle bury the hatchet and focus on the greater good.
As the saying goes, when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. In this case, it is Radio Benue’s reputation and the journalism profession that are taking the hit.
It is high time to stop chasing shadows and start rebuilding trust.
