₦airaland Forum

But for the alarm raised by media practitioners of Igede extraction, the communal war between Ukpute and Bonta in Oju and Konshisha Local Government Areas, respectively, would have continued unabated.

This was the assertion of a pressure group under the aegis of Association of Igede Media Professionals (AIMPs).

The media practitioners said their press statement of Tuesday, June 30 which went viral was what forced Governor Samuel Ortom to hurriedly convene a peace meeting the next day where a truce was reached by the warring communities.

In the Tuesday statement, the group alleged that the governor and the security agencies in the state had failed to make concerted effort to quell the communal clash that had been raging for days.

“Prior to our intervention, the attitude of the Benue state government and security agencies in the state to the conflict which had claimed scores of lives and property was lukewarm, if not outrightly indifferent,” the association said in a statement signed by its President, Egena Sunday Ode, and released on Thursday.

Recall that the Benue State Police Command had denied any knowledge of the communal clash last week, more than three days into the senseless attacks with glaring attendant deaths and wanton destruction of property.

Spokesperson of the Command, Catherine Anene, had told a Makurdi-based correspondent of a national daily last week that the clash was a mere threat which, according to her, the police had settled.

“There was no crisis, no fight, there was only a threat but the police came to dialogue with them, so no one died because there was no fight,” she was quoted by the correspondent to have said.

The media group, however, insisted that without it’s intervention, the authorities in Makurdi would have continued to pretend that all was well while more lives and property would have been destroyed.

AIMPs said though their noble and good-spirited intervention had been misconstrued in government quarters, leading to the haulage of unprintable invectives at the group. “It is the price we have to pay for the dignity of our people. No sacrifice, therefore, will be considered too much on our part”, the group said.

The statement read in part: ” Whatever be the case, we are happy and fulfilled that the chickens have come home to roost at the end of the day. The booming guns are silent for now following Wednesday’s peace meeting called by government, a direct fallout of the concerns we had expressed.

“Restoring peace to the state so that our people can live in peace and undertake their normal economic activities is our over-riding aim, and regardless of whatever anybody would say, we have achieved that”, the group said.

It added: “While resisting the temptation to join issues with officials of government, especially Governor Ortom’s media aide, one Terve Akase, who had called us unprintable names, we know that the Benue people can discern between the truth and falsehood, between a caring government and one that watches with indifference as its citizens turn their swords on one another in scorched earth tactics.

“It is a sad dcommentary on the quality of press-secretaryship that Tever Akase described us as ‘busy body,’…’irresponsible,’…’beer parlour gossips’..and ‘lost touch with home (reality)’ ” instead of appreciating our civic role of drawing the attention of government to what was happening.

“He also called us ‘faceless’, but the good thing is that this ‘faceless’ group which they know is not faceless, has been able to command the attention of government and the world.

“We have decided to remain calm and focused in the face of this unprovoked attack from Tever Akase as a mark of respect to the victims of this violence.

“However, one more word out of turn by any government functionary will earn our ire as no one has monopoly of foul language. Akase will know soon enough his superiors are members of this association.

“We do believe the government still has a lot to do to bring peace to other flash points in the state. People need peace to attain their potential. We in Benue should turn our disadvantages to advantages instead of burning up the little that we have.

“In light of this, government is advised to channel its energies towards this and other developmental initiatives instead of insulting its citizens at the drop of a hat.

“On a last note, nobody has monopoly of acerbic language or caustic tongue.”

Singed:
Egena Sunday Ode
President

Greatest Mellanbites! We lead others follow.

Congratulations, I'm happy for you. You have demonstrated some certain level of sincerity and openess. I want to believe this should serve as a lesson to some of our leaders and change many wrong things. You should influence positively for common good.

I would have respected you if you rather kept quiet.

Nice one. I know my people, after serving their terms, Funke or the likes will act and package something funny from the experience and sell back to Nigerians.

Somebody should warn government now o, China is not happy with the rate of recovery and low death rate in Nigeria.
So far we are managing our situation well, we don't need external hands in the name of providing assistance to compound our challenges.
Please do everything possible you don't contact this virus else the probability of recovery when Chinese doctors arrive may be slim.

I prefer Aba-made even if they are substandard to China made. How are we even sure that those supplied from China are standard because I don't believe there are tested before giving to Nigerians to use.

Chai! More states, this is appearing like INEC results that are not rigged.

We knew this, Ortom should stop parading the poor woman as COVID-19 victim for his personal gains. Upon hearing the donations, he is doing everything possible to record at least a case in other to have part of the share.

Nawa o, even BH is afraid of Corona. How wish BH operates like Corona, it would have been the thing of past many years ago.
The whole thing will give us how small is this world and can be destroyed in seconds despite the size.

This is real leadership. Smart governance needs smart leaders. Keep on our smart and intelligent Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Anything can be negotiated. Please let us have a win win situation here to the benefit all parties and Nigerians essentially.

That is lovely.

You have to work harder and improve on what you meet on ground. Leverage on technology and you will see huge difference. All the best.

I support the closure of all borders, let us grow and consume our local food. We will improve in processing with time and let us stop exporting raw materials because it does not make sense.
I was impressed with what I saw at Imota rice mill, we still have much to do though.

Nice one but how many calls can you respond to? Deploy technology that is more proactive, efficient and effective. Nigerian police can not be trusted, please try everything possible to avoid them.

May your soul rest in peace Fr.

You embezzled public funds under your care and you beg not to handcuff you in public.
Go and serve your jail terms, by the time you're done, probably your brain would have been formatted and reconfigured.

We don't need all that. Let him go and clear himself, once you acquire money and do genuine business, you need not to be afraid anytime. He is still "Innocent Onyema" until proven otherwise. It's quite appalling the kind of culture we have suddenly developed. The attitude of he or she is "our own thief" and so you mobilize to protest or demonstrate because of Penny or certain personal affiliation or sentiment.
Allow your conscience for right judgment!

Gradually we are embracing technology in governance. People of high integrity should be engaged to manage the system to avoid compromise. I support any initiative that will bring transperency and accountability for national development and for common good.

If we can not bring corrupt people to justice, we will take justice to them. Falana should calm down please, some lawyers always look forward to legally acquire money that is illegally acquired.

It's quit unusual to fail question(s) you yourself set. Anyway, such is no longer news in Nigeria unfortunately.

BEAMBOR13:
received a mail two days ago, training starts tomorrow for telecommunication power.
for those that are yet to receive a mail just be hopeful

Congrats! Nice to know. Please drop your contact so that those of us that have not been invited yet can probably follow up.

ommysteve@gmail.com

Nobody has successfully opened the link to see what is there. At least no report of such here.

You guys forget so soon how typical Yoruba man behaves. If he tickles you IPOD, he will not be responsible for your injury. Wise up guys, ofe mmanu are very good in demonstrating but when the reality shows, they disappear.

We have always known that when two elephants fight, it's the grass that suffers it. If the reverse is going to be the case here, then we should rather be happy than sympathising or crying for the fighting elephants. Common people would be the ones to ultimately benefit from this project irrespective of his motive if he eventually executes it. Developing nations including Nigeria have been benefiting from aids given by developed countries and so, I see nothing wrong if well to do states extend their helping hands to suffering states. After all, what are friends for? Ortom, please leave the pride and allow him to help your people and congratulate him after the project. If somebody does what I can't do, I rather congratulate and celebrate with the person so that people will celebrate with me too whenever I achieve a feat.

Please add 07086238866

icon2:
Do your research very well.... The domain name has no issue

Ok...just got the link.