By Amos Aar
BENUE stakeholders have called on members of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to champion unity, development, and accountability in the state.
The call was made at an Easter Lecture and Dinner hosted by the NUJ at its secretariat in Makurdi on Monday.
The event’s chairman, Dr. Stephen Hwande, highlighted the deep divisions within the state along religious, political, and familial lines, as he stressed the media’s role in fostering reconciliation through balanced and truthful reporting.
Dr Hwande, who is the Chief Medical Director of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), expressed concern over the lack of unity despite regular religious observance and called on journalists to amplify positive developments alongside critical reporting.
Citing progress at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where new facilities such as MRI machines, a neurosurgery unit, a cancer centre, and an autism school are operational or nearing completion, Hwande urged the media to support initiatives driving growth rather than engaging in divisive narratives.
“Balanced reporting requires acknowledging both achievements and areas needing improvement,” he stated. “If we focus solely on negativity, we hinder progress. Benue’s development depends on collective responsibility and accurate representation.”
Hwande also addressed the state’s underrepresentation in federal leadership, attributing it to poor political choices and insufficient media scrutiny.
He proposed pre-election media engagements to assess candidates’ track records, emphasizing that only through robust journalism and effective leadership could Benue overcome marginalization.
“Quality representation is crucial. When mediocrity is sent to negotiate, the state suffers,” he remarked. “Despite Benue’s size, neighboring Nasarawa hosts key federal institutions. This disparity stems from weak advocacy and accountability.”
Dr. Comfort Akwonya Adadu, Director of the Benue State Public Procurement Commission, underscored the media’s role in ensuring transparency in public procurement. She emphasized investigative journalism as a tool for exposing irregularities and promoting accountability.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr. Donald Ikyomgbenda delivered a paper on the media’s role in nation-building.
He described journalists as vital intermediaries between government and citizens, while lamenting political interference and misinformation. He called for improved funding and ethical standards to enhance journalism’s credibility.
Rev. Fr. Clement Ugoh, Spiritual Director to Governor Hyacinth Alia, presented on media and religious harmony, advocating for balanced coverage and peace journalism.
He urged media houses to establish religious desks and provide specialized training to reporters to foster informed and inclusive reporting.
Former NUJ Chairman and ex-Minority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Bem Mngutyo, commended the union’s leadership for fostering unity.
Similarly, the state council chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Terungwa Igbe, represented by Comrade Timothy Atsaka, praised the event’s educational value and pledged to support NUJ’s revenue-generating projects.
Earlier, journalists participated in a road walk from NUJ House to Government House, followed by a thanksgiving mass at the Chapel of Grace, where Fr. Ugoh urged media practitioners to uphold truth and integrity.
The event concluded with a call for journalists to recommit to their professional and ethical responsibilities as catalysts for unity and development in Benue State.
