RADIO BENUE STAFF DIVIDED OVER PALLIATIVE RICE DISTRIBUTION, OTHER ISSUES
14th January, 2025
The internal workings of Radio Benue have been marred by disagreements among staff members over the distribution of rice allocated by governor Hyacinth Alia and disputes surrounding promotions. The tension escalated on Monday during a press conference held at Radio Benue addressed by Comrade Paul Mandeun who is the chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radio Benue chapel, when accusations of mismanagement and favoritism were directed at the station's leadership, including Director General Mr. Terseer Mdzuulga.
The conflict began when the governor allocated 50 bags of rice to Radio Benue staff as part of a holiday gesture. Mandeun alleged that the rice was not distributed equitably, prompting him to confront the Director of Administration.
"I want to let you people know that the governor gave us palliatives to celebrate Christmas, 50 bags of rice. Management decided to distribute it illegally.
"We have a newsroom that is about 40 people. They gave us 3 bags of rice. We rejected and called on them to review the sharing formula. This is 2 weeks, I have not heard from them. I told them that if I don't hear from them, I will let the world know and the governor know that what he has given us did not reach us.
"I'm condemning the sharing formula and I'm appealing that next time, if the governor is to distribute relief materials, he shouldn't give the management of Radio Benin to distribute it because workers will not enjoy it. I'm specifically calling on the authorities to sanction the director of supply and the accountant of the station. The director of supply is Victoria Uloko.
"She played the architect alongside with the accountant of the station, Emmanuel Sambe, who denied our members the good gesture of the governor. I want to make it clear that we have rejected it and the DG publicly said the 3 bags they gave us and we rejected, he will collect and eat it. That is not correct", Mandeun maintained.
The situation escalated during a meeting, where Mdzuulga said he criticized Mandeun for allegedly shouting at a management staff member. He reiterated that proper respect for management must be maintained and promised to investigate the distribution process further.
"Once upon a time before Christmas, I was in my office and they called me. The governor allocated 40 bags of rice to Radio Benue. I announced that the labor unions should be involved in sharing the rice.
"Inside the 40 bags, I took 10 bags and sent them to some of our friends, including the governor's friends because now I am a political leader, whether I like it or not. So, I did that and I said, okay, the director admin should head the sharing. And in every organization, the director admin holds the ace when it comes to sharing things to staff. So three days later, the day after, Paul Mandeun came and met me, he told me that they gave other directors three bags and him three bags. I said, as you speak to me, I set up a committee to do that. I have not been briefed. So you should hold on. Then the director will come back and tell me how the rice was shared. He now called the director. He started shouting at her and scolding her", the DG explained.
The controversy also brought to light the station’s long-standing issue of casual staff, who, according to Mdzuulga, had not received their stipends for several months. “We have casual staff, which is against the federal and state laws, but I met them here. They’ve not been paid for months, so I ensured they got six bags of rice,” Mdzuulga added.
In a separate but related issue, Mr. Richard Uleve filed a petition alleging irregularities in his promotion. According to Amandeun, Uleve claimed he was overlooked despite being ranked second, while another candidate, Ladi, was promoted instead.
"I want to condemn the signing of the Director News petition by the Director General where one of our members that is a betrayer, Richard Uleve wrote that he worked for the PDP. That was why he was denied the position of Director News. Then, when the Director News was to be appointed, Uleve was not even the person that was next in line. The person that was next in line was Simon Indyer, followed by Victoria Uloko. Uleve was third. Even his deputy director was illegal because we were not supposed to have two deputy directors as of that time in Radio Benue.
"We are supposed to have Director Reportorial and Director Current Affairs. So he got it illegal and we are calling on the ministry to reject that letter and sanction Uleve for misinforming the public. And I want to make it clear that we want to pass vote of confidence on the Director News and Current Affairs Comrade David Vihi who has stood firm for the welfarism of not just only NUJ members but the entire staff of Radio Benue," Mandeun said.
But the Director General clarified that the petition was forwarded by the Commissioner of Information and that he had no control over the ministry’s decision. “I only endorsed the letter sent to me. The decision to promote Ladi over Uleve wasn’t mine,” Mdzuulga stated.
The unrest peaked when staff reportedly staged a protest, chanting solidarity songs during a meeting. Mdzuulga said he intervened, urging directors to resolve their differences privately and maintain professionalism. “Disputes shouldn’t be resolved in front of junior colleagues,” he said in an interview
As tensions persist, the Director General has denied all allegations of mismanagement and called for calm, emphasizing that he inherited many of the challenges currently plaguing the station.
The NUJ Radio Benue chapel also accused the immediate past DG of Radio Benue, Dr Charles Iornumbe, of allegedly working behind the scene to fuel crisis among staff in order cover his corruption.
"There is more to the sharing of the rice that he (Mandeun) gave here. The work environment is not just conducive. Every day, we experience tension. And let the Governor also know that the person who was removed here as Director General is still working here behind the scenes. Anything that is happening here, Charles Iornumbe is the one behind it falling into crisis in Radio Benue. Just because he doesn't want to be asked questions on how, he sold the equipment in Radio Benue and some that he took for himself. Let Charles go away from Government House where he has found himself in Government House to be one of the speechwriters of the Governor. The Governor should know that Charles is not for him. Charles is a connivance (sic). Charles is a conspirator and Charles is a devil," Orga Afiagh alleged.
The former Director General of Radio Benue, Dr. Charles Iornumbe, has strongly denied allegations leveled against him by members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Radio Benue, describing the claims as baseless, malicious, and an attempt to tarnish his reputation. Speaking to the press, Dr. Iornumbe challenged his accusers to present concrete evidence to support their claims with figures.
Dr. Iornumbe dismissed accusations that he was responsible for ongoing conflicts at Radio Benue. He expressed confusion over claims linking him to the contentious distribution of rice by the station's current leadership.
"I am at a loss as to how I am being implicated in the sharing of rice, which happened long after I left office. If the current DG gave staff only three bags of rice, how am I connected to that? I handed over peacefully and moved on," he said.
He accused his detractors of attempting to create a rift between him and his successor, Mr. Terseer Mdzuulga, while affirming his prayers for Mdzuulga’s success.
Dr. Iornumbe lamented their involvement in the controversy, stating that the union had lost its focus. He urged members to return to constructive dialogue.
"This is not the NUJ I knew and supported during my tenure. They need to retrace their steps, act as one family, and stop tarnishing the image of Radio Benue and its leadership," he said
Dr. Iornumbe confirmed he was investigated by the Assets Recovery Committee set up by Governor Hyacinth Alia but maintained that he was found blameless.
"I provided all documents and explained every decision made during my tenure. Nothing was done unilaterally. Items auctioned, like the OB van, followed due process. Yet, people twist the narrative to portray me as corrupt," he said.
The former DG accused unnamed individuals of attempting to smear his name for political reasons.
"I have no political ambitions. My duty is to support the policies of this government, led by Governor Alia, a brother I respect deeply," he clarified.
He called on Governor Alia to intervene and protect him from further defamation. He emphasized his loyalty and contributions to the state and its government.
"I have done my part for Benue, including co-authoring the Governor’s biography. Why would I tarnish the image of a government I helped build? I seek only peace and progress for the state," he said.
The former DG urged staff, unions, and stakeholders at Radio Benue to embrace unity and focus on rebuilding the station’s reputation.
"Radio Benue is a family. Let’s resolve our differences internally and move forward. This infighting only damages the station and the government we serve," he advised.
Dr. Iornumbe warned that if the attacks on his character continued, he would consider taking legal action to defend his name.
By Amos Aar
One more photo below.
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