INSECURITY: BENUE SEEKS NASSARAWA’S SECURITY STRATEGY, URGES REGIONAL COOPERATION

 Iorpev raises questions over differing security experiences; NUJ seeks stronger media welfare, accountability briefings

By Ogbu Ajah. Makurdi 

The Benue State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Solomon Iorpev, has called for greater cooperation among North-Central states in tackling insecurity, while urging the Nasarawa State Government to explain its approach to addressing the security challenges confronting the region.

Iorpev made the call on Thursday during his first official visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, at the NUJ House, Makurdi.

The Commissioner said the recent North-Central zonal security summit hosted by Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi was designed to encourage states in the region to share experiences, compare security strategies and develop a coordinated response to attacks threatening communities and livelihoods.

He said the summit provided an opportunity for participating states to discuss the security situation in their respective jurisdictions, but noted what he described as differences in the level of concern expressed by the states.

According to him, while Benue, Kogi, Plateau and Kwara raised concerns about insecurity, Nasarawa's position appeared different, prompting questions about the security measures being deployed by the state.

“Why is Kogi State complaining? Why is Benue State complaining? Why is Plateau State complaining? Why is Kwara State complaining? Why is Nasarawa State not complaining?”

Iorpev said the question was particularly important because of the proximity and interconnectedness of communities across the states.

He urged neighbouring states to share information and security strategies rather than operate in isolation, arguing that insecurity in one state could have consequences for others.

The Commissioner also expressed concern about comments attributed to Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, at the summit, particularly the reported appeal for people to respect their elders.

Iorpev questioned how such an approach could contribute to resolving violent conflicts and protecting vulnerable communities.

He further drew attention to the different experiences of farming communities in Benue and Nasarawa, asking why, in his view, attacks appeared to have affected Benue communities more severely.

“Nasarawa State has the biggest farms in this country. Why are the Fulanis not attacking them? Why has no Fulani man ever attacked them? It’s the peasant farmers here in Benue that they are attacking,” he said.

The Commissioner stressed that his comments were intended to stimulate discussion on regional security and not to create hostility between Benue and Nasarawa.

“Nasarawa has a case to answer. They should either explain to us or give their security architecture. It’s a simple thing,” he said.

He also alleged that political differences could sometimes affect cooperation on security matters and appealed to political leaders not to allow partisan considerations to interfere with efforts to protect lives and property.

“How can you use people’s lives to run politics?” he asked.

Iorpev urged governors, traditional rulers, security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders across the North-Central region to strengthen intelligence-sharing and work together to prevent attacks.

He said the region needed a collective security framework capable of responding to threats that often crossed state boundaries.

‘I HAVE NINE MONTHS TO MAKE AN IMPACT’

The Commissioner, who said he had about nine months remaining in his tenure, said he intended to use the period to strengthen the relationship between government and the media.

He disclosed plans to introduce a new media strategy aimed at improving communication between government institutions and citizens, as well as providing journalists with better access to information on government policies and programmes.

NUJ SEEKS BETTER WELFARE, ACCOUNTABILITY

Earlier, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, welcomed the Commissioner and described him as a “Journalist’s Journalist,” citing his experience and understanding of the media profession.

Ugber commended Iorpev's engagement with journalists since his appointment and urged him to sustain an inclusive relationship with practitioners across the state.

He appealed for government intervention in several welfare and institutional challenges confronting journalists, including the payment of Media/Way-in Allowance to eligible staff of the State Information, The Voice Newspapers and Benue Television.

The NUJ chairman also sought the resolution of the lingering sub-head numbers issue affecting staff of The Voice, as well as implementation of the proposed facelift of the NUJ Secretariat, which he said had earlier received government approval.

He further appealed for the release of the N12 million approved to clear the council's outstanding dues to the NUJ National Secretariat.

Ugber also requested a N2 million monthly subscription from the state government to assist the NUJ council in meeting its operational obligations.

He called for the revival of Ministerial Press Briefings and Local Government Accountability Press Briefings, saying such platforms would give ministries, departments, agencies and local councils opportunities to regularly explain their policies, projects and expenditure to the public.

JOURNALISTS’ SAFETY

On the safety of media practitioners, Ugber urged government ministries, departments and agencies to consider holding regular press briefings at the NUJ House, except for engagements involving the Governor, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the State House of Assembly and Chief Judge where circumstances may require otherwise.

He said the arrangement would provide a more controlled environment for journalists while strengthening the NUJ House as a professional centre for the media community.

The NUJ chairman also appealed for a structured welfare intervention for journalists facing serious financial or health challenges and for families of deceased practitioners.

He assured the Commissioner that the union would continue to support professional coverage of government activities while maintaining the principles of media independence, access to information, journalists' welfare and safety.

“Where you succeed, Benue succeeds. Where the Ministry succeeds, the government succeeds. And when government succeeds, the people are the ultimate beneficiaries,” Ugber said.