The Debate And Discussion Forum

09/09/2026

NEW FRONTLINE OF GOVERNANCE IS THE MIND, IORNUMBE TELLS MDA HEADS

By TDDF News

Former Director General of Radio Benue, Dr. Charles Iornumbe, has told Heads of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies that the new frontline of governance is “the mind,” urging them to master strategic communication, persuasion and influence to drive administrative efficiency.

Dr. Iornumbe gave the charge at the Leadership Course in Emotional Intelligence and Critical Thinking organized by the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA Kaduna and held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja.

Delivering a paper titled “Commanding Belief in Governance: Strategic Communication, Persuasion and Influence for Administrative Efficiency in the Public Service” he said budgets, memos and orders alone can no longer deliver results in 2026.

“Words are bullets. Once fired, they cannot be recalled,” he said, noting that “belief is the fuel of administrative efficiency.” According to him, when civil servants believe in policy they implement without sabotage and when citizens believe in the state they pay tax, share intelligence and reject extremism. “Orders make people move. Belief makes people move in the same direction, even when no one is watching,” he stated.

The former DG stressed that strategic communication is not Public Relations or propaganda, saying that “in the age of WhatsApp and other social media platforms, credibility is the only currency.” He listed the cost of poor communication as policy failure, low morale, poor inter-agency collaboration and loss of legitimacy in counterinsurgency and service delivery.

To address this, Dr. Iornumbe recommended the appointment of “Validators” in every unit and MDA to counter misinformation and said no policy, project or operation should launch without a 1-page communication plan. He also urged leaders to develop a “Master Narrative” for every assignment.

He added that: “administrative efficiency is not about more memos. It is about more belief. The pen, the microphone and the town hall are as powerful as the budget and the rifle.”

In a remark, the Director, Centre for Leadership Documentation and Complex Military Operations, NDA Kaduna, Dr. Bem Audu, said the lecture was timely for civil leadership.

Speaking to newsmen, the Centre Director said "Dr. Iornumbe’s paper could not have come at a better time. In complex public administration, we have learnt that kinetic action alone does not win the war. The battle for hearts and minds is now the decisive terrain. When people believe in the mission, compliance turns into commitment," he said.

Dr. Audu noted that poor communication has continued to undermine governance. "At the Centre, we see daily how poor communication fractures inter-agency collaboration and erodes public trust. What Dr. Iornumbe has called 'commanding belief' is exactly what we teach our officers - that clarity, credibility and consistency must precede every operation. The recommendation for a 1-page communication plan for every policy is both practical and strategic."

He added that the Centre will domesticate the lessons from the lecture. "We will be integrating key elements of this lecture into our curriculum for senior MDA leadership. If we must build a resilient nation in 2026, then we must invest as much in the mind as we do in equipment. I commend Dr. Iornumbe for giving us this framework."

Also speaking, the Deputy Director of the Centre, Dr. Maryam Hamza, described the course as a strategic intervention for public sector reform. She said the Centre was committed to documenting best practices in leadership and complex operations to bridge the gap between policy and implementation. "What we have heard today reinforces our mandate. If we must win the war against misinformation and build trust, then strategic communication must be treated as a core competency for every public servant," she stated.

Participants in the course described the lecture as timely and practical.

One of the participants, Mrs. Obioha Celestina, said the session reshaped her understanding of public service delivery.
"This session was an eye-opener for me. As public servants, we spend so much time drafting memos and budgets, but we forget that if the people don’t believe the message, nothing will move. Dr. Iornumbe’s point that 'words are bullets' really struck me. We must be more intentional."

She spoke of plans to implement the recommendations in her Ministry. "I am going back to my Ministry to propose that every department appoints a 'Validator' as he suggested. In the age of WhatsApp and fake news, we can no longer afford to be reactive. We must own the narrative first."

Also speaking, another participant, Mr. Richard Okon Bassey, said the lecture addressed a critical gap in the public service.
"What I took away is that administrative efficiency is a communication problem first. Dr. Iornumbe is right. Orders make people move, but belief makes them move in the same direction even when no one is watching. That is the kind of civil service we need."

He further noted: "The idea of a 'Master Narrative' for every government assignment is brilliant. If we can align all MDAs around one clear story, we will reduce duplication, improve morale and deliver better service to Nigerians. This course by NDA is exactly the kind of training senior officers need now."

The 3-day course had in attendance Directors and Deputy Directors from various Federal MDAs.

09/08/2026

On a Tree-planting Mission

25/06/2026

TAKEAWAYS FROM THE JUST CONCLUDED SYMPOSIUM MARKING BENUE AT FIFTY

Benue at fifty is not just a milestone but a mirror through which the citizens could reflect on their journey of how it started, where they are at the moment and where they would like to be in future. The Golden Jubilee symposium held at the Rev. Fr. Alia Ultra-Modern Conference Hall brought together the living memory of the state.

The theme, “Benue @50: A Journey of Resilience, Progress and Prospects,” posed one honest question: After five decades, where is Benue going next? The answer that emerged was not a slogan, but a strategy - a 30-year development roadmap that must outlive administrations and anchor the state’s future.

Governor Alia’s core message was premised on the belief that development cannot be subjected to the uncertainties of changing governments. Roads abandoned at every handover, policies discarded with every new logo, projects buried with each election cycle has cost Benue years of progress. The Governor proposed that all existing policy documents, strategic plans and blueprints from past and current administrations be reviewed, harmonised and consolidated into one comprehensive 30-year development master plan.

This is not about erasing history. It is about building on it. As the Igbo say, “He who fetches firewood does not burn the old sticks to cook new soup.” Governor Alia is saying: let us profile the elites of Benue who agree, gather the wisdom of past Governors and fuse them into a single vision. That vision must carry clear goals, implementation mechanisms and performance benchmarks so that the government of 2056 builds on the gains of 2026, not from scratch. “We owe future generations a development vision that transcends politics,” the Governor declared. That is leadership thinking in generations, not in election cycles.

But a blueprint is only as strong as the hands that hold it. Hence the symposium’s most urgent matter: the need for political harmony among current and past leaders. Benue has been blessed with living former Governors who have all governed, governed differently and governed with experience. Governor Alia’s call for synergy among the elite class and himself is not sentiment but a strategy.

When former leaders become adversaries, the state loses its institutional memory. When they become collaborators, the state gains a council of elders. For example, Senators Gemade and David Mark bring legislative wisdom. The Tor Tiv and the Ochi'idoma bring cultural legitimacy while the clergy bring moral authority. Together, they form what Chinua Achebe called “the center that must hold.” Without this harmony, every 30-year plan becomes a 4-year plan. With it, Benue can move forward as one family after fifty years.

A roadmap must point to destinations. Governor Alia outlined where greatness will come from. First, investment in human capital. Roads and buildings matter, but education, innovation and leadership culture matter most. Benue’s future will not be built by cement alone, but by minds trained to solve problems.

Second, economic transformation anchored on agriculture is sacrosanct. As the food basket, Benue must move from producing raw harvest to processing value. That means agro-industrial parks, storage facilities and market linkages that keep wealth in the state must be prioritised.

Third, responsible citizenship and governance as a shared duty. The Governor challenged academics, professionals, media, entrepreneurs and community leaders to stop watching governance from the gallery and start shaping it from the table. Research, ideas and constructive dialogue are some of the currencies of development that Benue needs.

Fourth, unity in diversity. Fifty years taught us that Benue’s strength is in its Tiv, Idoma, Igede and other nationalities pulling in one direction. The symposium’s blend of traditional rulers, politicians and scholars showed that unity is not uniformity but harmony.

The unveiling of “Benue @50: A Journey of Resilience, Progress and Prospects” captured the spirit of the day. The scholarly papers by Professors John Agaba, Chris Orngu, Member George-Genyi and Patrick Ukase reminded us that reflection must precede direction. Chairman of the symposium, Senator Gabriel Suswam, called it one of the most intellectually significant components of the celebrations. Rev. Fr. Tagesa Akpagher, head of the sub-committee, said the Jubilee should redefine priorities and strengthen bonds of unity.

That is the true meaning of fifty years. Not just cultural exhibitions and performances, though those celebrate our soul but also hard conversations about our systems, our continuity and our children’s tomorrow.

Fifty years is a long time for a state, but a short time for a vision. Governor Hyacinth Alia has used this moment to plant a tree whose shade the next three decades will enjoy. Therefore, by calling for political harmony among living leaders and proposing a 30-year roadmap, the Governor is asking Benue to graduate from episodic governance to a generational one.

As the African proverb says, “A single bracelet does not jingle.” Benue’s bracelet of leaders, elders, scholars and citizens must jingle together now. If we profile our elites, harmonise our blueprints, invest in people and guard our unity, Benue will not just be fifty years old. Benue will be fifty years wise and ready for the greatness that lies ahead. The symposium has spoken. The roadmap awaits. The future is listening.

The event witnessed the unveiling of the book on the journey of Benue fifty years ago made up of twenty chapters with different contributors.

Dr. Charles Iornumbe, Media Personality And Author writes as a spectator of the event.
25:06:2026

Intellectual Discussions, Interviews, Special features news reports, and Political Debates.

01/06/2026

"WE HAVE MOVED FROM RELIEF TO RECOVERY": SEMA BOSS DEFENDS ALIA ADMINISTRATION'S THREE YEARS IN OFFICE

By the TDADF Media Team

The Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency BESEMA, Dr. James Iorpuu, says the Alia administration’s humanitarian strategy has shifted “from monthly grain distribution to systems that restore dignity” for displaced Benue people.

Dr. Iorpuu made this known Sunday 31st May 2026 during a special edition of THE INTERVIEW on Brothers FM Makurdi. The programme, tagged “An Audit of Compassion,” was designed to scrutinize the administration’s three-year record on floods, insecurity and IDP management.

Responding to the question on BESEMA’s scorecard, Dr. Iorpuu named three areas that stand out under Governor Alia as rehabilitation of IDP camps, livelihood intervention for over ten thousand displaced and the vulnerable as well as digital registration and biometric capturing system.

He explained that under rehabilitation of IDPs, the administration boasts of installation of solar lights, boreholes and drainage, while in the area of livelihood intervention, there had been significant improvement in the distribution of farm inputs and acquisition of business grants as well as skills training in partnership with NGOs in addition to the digital registration and biometric capturing of the displaced.

On the fate of IDPs, Dr. Iorpuu disclosed that BESEMA is currently managing over 2.2 million displaced persons, with about 480,000 in 15 official camps across Makurdi, Guma, Logo, Kwande and others in parts of Benue South, while the rest are in host communities.

He admitted that “durable solutions” remain the biggest challenge as “after three years, about 18% of IDPs in camps have either returned to rehabilitated ancestral communities in Gwer West and Agatu, or integrated into host communities with support. The bottleneck is security.

Touching on issues of relief diversion, Dr. Iorpuu said BESEMA since 2023 introduced a “Track Your Bag” system where each distribution is logged with photos, GPS coordinates and beneficiary phone numbers.

On climate preparedness, the SEMA Helmsman said lessons from the 2012, 2022 and 2024 floods led SEMA to partner with NiMET and NEMA to deploy some early warning sirens along River Benue banks and train community volunteers. “We now evacuate 48 hours before peak water level, not after disaster, had happened” he said.

When asked what keeps him awake at night, Dr. Iorpuu noted that it is the Agency's failure to close any IDP camp completely in three years, saying a camp should be temporary, not generational.

Callers on the programme such as Michael Apande, Godwin Okoro, Prince Mede,Aondoaver Ikyôr, Patrick Agbo, Vanen Ibi, Godwin Zegeya, Audu Iorember and Robert Ayali all praised the SEMA ES for giving a good account of his stewardship and urged him to do more.

15/05/2026

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

Your Excellency,

On this landmark day as you mark six decades of a life lived in service, I, Douglas Pepe, SAN, join the people of Benue North East and indeed all of Benue State to lift my voice in thanksgiving and tribute.

At 60, you stand as a living parable that “a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” You have spent your years not hoarding light, but setting ablaze the paths of the sick, the forgotten, the student and now, the entire state. From the altar to the Government House, you have proven that true leadership is not the grasping of power, but the laying down of self.

I recall the old Tiv wisdom that says, “The tree that bends in the storm does not break.” Through storms of criticism, trials of governance and the weight of expectation, you have bent but not broken; anchored by faith, tempered by humility and driven by an unshakable love for Benue.

Our people say that “when the drummer changes his beat, the dancer must listen.” Under your watch, Benue has heard a new rhythm, a rhythm of hope, of rehabilitation, of restored dignity. As one who walks closely with you in this journey, I have seen the priest in the politician and the shepherd in the statesman. You govern not with a whip, but with a staff.

Your Excellency, 60 is not the end. In the Scriptures, it is the age when wisdom ripens and legacy takes root. It is the season when the oak, planted in youth, now gives shade to a weary land. Benue rests under your shade today, and we are grateful.

As a son of Kwande, a Senior Advocate, and your ally in the task of rebuilding our dear state, I pledge to stand with you still. For as Marcus Aurelius wrote, “What we do now echoes in eternity.” The work we do for Benue today shall echo long after us.

Happy 60th Birthday, My Governor, My Brother, My Father in the Lord.
May your years ahead be fuller of grace, stronger in purpose and brighter in impact.
May the God you serve grant you health to lead, courage to decide and peace to rest.

With deepest respect and solidarity,

Douglas Pepe, SAN
Senior Advocate of Nigeria
Kwande Indigene & Aspirant, Benue North East Senatorial District.

13/05/2026

An old student of NKST Secondary School Kuhe Akpagher, Mbatiav, Gboko local government area, Mr. Benjamin Imoter Uker has publicly presented and launched 13 books. The event which took place at the Author's Alma Mater 9th May 2026, was witnessed by dignitaries from far and near.
The Debate And Discussion Forum TDADF Media Team brings you details.....

06/05/2026

BENUE AUTHOR, BENJAMIN IMOTER UKER TO UNVEIL13 BOOKS MAY 9 2026

Renowned author and public intellectual, Benjamin Imoter Uker, will publicly present and launch thirteen books on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in what is being described as a landmark moment for Nigerian Literature and public discourse.

The historic event will hold at the author’s Alma Mater, NKST Secondary School Kuhe, Akpagher-Mbatiav, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, by 10:00 AM.

The thirteen books address Nigeria’s most pressing questions on leadership, governance, poverty and national rebirth. Key titles include, “Nigeria: Rich Country, Poor People”, “Leading Nigeria Out of Poverty and Chaos”, “The Tiv Nation” and “The Revolution”.

Other titles in the collection are “Apostles of Genocide and Corruption” “How Shall We Redevelop Africa?”, “I Am Ashamed of My Country”, “The Confession of a Northerner”, “Leading Benue Out of Poverty”, “Rediscovering the Real Tiv Man”, “The Suffering Millionaire”, “The Vultures” and “The Eyes of Hope”.

The event will be graced by His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State, as Distinguished Guest of Honour.

Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, will serve as Chief Launcher, while Hon. Terna Achir is Book Presenter. The Guest Speaker is Rev. Fr. James Tagesa Akpagher.

Terver John Nyam on behalf of the organizers say the presentation is not merely a literary event but the unveiling of a movement grounded in history, culture and lived experience.

The public presentation sends a message that greatness can rise from any village. The statement from the organizing committee reads, “From humble classrooms in Orngu-Dwem can arise voices strong enough to reshape a nation and inspire a continent.”

The thirteen works are described as a “library of dissent, diagnosis and direction from the village to the Villa.”

Reacting to the development, a former Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Benue State chapter, Dr. Charles Iornumbe said the presentation of thirteen books is first of its kind in the State and a milestone that should not be taken for granted.

The erstwhile DG of Radio Benue urged members of the public, academia, policy makers, traditional rulers and the media to witness the occasion.

03/05/2026

TDADF MARKS WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY 2026, DEMANDS END TO IMPUNITY AGAINST NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS
May 3, 2026

The Debate And Discussion Forum (TDADF), a publisher and media consortium, today called on Federal, State, and Local Governments to end impunity against journalists and repeal laws used to gag the press as Nigeria joins the World to mark World Press Freedom Day 2026.

In a goodwill message released today, TDADF said the 2026 theme, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,” is particularly urgent for Nigeria as the country battles flooding in Benue, desertification in Sokoto and other climate shocks.

“Without fearless journalism, the people cannot see, understand or act on these existential threats,” the statement signed by TDADF Management read. “From Ikeja to Ikyogen, the press remains the only institution that can give every Nigerian equal access to truth as we approach the 2027 general elections.”

The consortium noted that in the last 12 months, Nigerian journalists have faced intimidation, cyber-harassment, arbitrary detention and in some cases, death. It cited the unresolved killings of Pelumi Onifade and Alex Ogbu, stating that, “each attack on a Reporter is an attack on Section 39 of the Constitution and on the public’s right to know.”

To guarantee justice and freedom for practising journalists, TDADF urged authorities at all levels to end Impunity, Investigate, prosecute and publicly met out sanction to all attacks on journalists, amend the Cybercrimes Act, Official Secrets Act and aspects of the NBC Code to align with ECOWAS and African Charter standards.

TDADF Media Team also asked the government to protect not to police, provide rapid-response protection for Reporters covering conflict zones, IDP camps and environmental disasters as well as open the books by proactively disclosing public data on budgets, FAAC allocations, ecological funds and security votes as well as guarantee an atmosphere of truth tellers, establish a National Journalists Safety and Insurance Fund for Reporters harmed in the line of duty.

It says that Sunlight is the best disinfectant. When government hides data, rumour becomes news,” TDADF stated. “A hungry journalist is a vulnerable journalist.”

TDADF equally urges the government to stop using poverty as censorship, pay media workers in state-owned stations living wages and clear backlog of salary arrears.

The Publisher and Media Consortium therefore, recommits to public-interest Journalism evening as it pledges to uphold ethical editing and fearless publishing, adding “We will not be used for publicity stunts that mislead the people". "We will continue to open our pages and platforms to the voices that power demands to silence.”

The statement further highlights the importance solidarity “To every Reporter in a rural community radio, every editor battling deadlines, every cameraman in the field, every blogger speaking truth to power "We see you". "We salute you", "Nigeria needs you.”

It added that “the pen is still mightier but only when the hand that holds it is free,” the release concluded.

About TDADF
The Debate And Discussion Forum (TDADF) is a publisher and media consortium engaged in editing of manuscripts, public discourse and media advocacy.

29/04/2026

WHY THE RUMOURED SECOND PRESIDENTIAL MOVE TO END THE ALIA-AKUME RIFT SHOULD NOT FAIL TO YIELD THE DESIRED RESULTS

By TDADF Media Team
April 29, 2026

Benue’s APC is back at the negotiating table. The Presidency has launched what insiders call a “final effort” to end the rift between Governor Hyacinth Alia and SGF George Akume, with fresh talks set for Friday. But why must this rumoured second presidential intervention succeed where the first failed?

It is said that “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” That ancient truth may have haunted the Benue APC since 2023.

The Presidency has made a second move to broker peace between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. And this time, it cannot afford to fail.

During President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Benue, he issued a direct order: both leaders should convene a stakeholders’ meeting and reconcile. That directive was not implemented. Instead, the rift widened after the APC executive committee elections, deepening factional lines from Government House to the National Assembly.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results.” Abuja knows this. That is why Friday’s meeting is structured differently.

This is not another photo-op. Senator Akume will convene with 10 stakeholders among them federal lawmakers, appointees, LG chairmen and party executives. Governor Alia, as host leader, brings 10 of his own. The agenda is blunt: structural adjustments in Benue APC, possible cabinet reshuffles, consensus in the State Assembly and a review of appointments in some key agencies of government.

In plain terms: “You cannot make peace without trading pieces.” Politics is give-and-take and both camps must now show they understand that very well.

Why must this work? Because Benue is bleeding from the wound. Public disputes between the Governor and SGF may have paralysed party cohesion, distracted governance and emboldened insecurity. While leaders fight for structure, bandits exploit the lack of it to their advantage.

The stakes for 2027 are also clear. Sources say Governor Alia’s second-term ambition may get backing under a new deal, while party positions could be reshuffled to reflect a fresh balance. If it succeeds, supporters across both camps unite. If it fails, APC risks entering 2027 as a fractured army.

“Reconciliation is not weakness. It is the highest form of political maturity.” Both Alia and Akume are students of power. Alia knows he cannot govern in isolation. Akume knows too that as SGF, his national stature means little if his home base is in flames.

The first move may have failed because there was no enforcement and no structure. Presidential words without political scaffolding collapse. This second move has both: a presidential mandate, a defined delegation and concrete items on the table.

President Tinubu understands a simple law of politics: “You cannot build a skyscraper on a cracked foundation.” Benue APC is his party’s foundation in the North Central. If Makurdi is not settled, the road to 2027 may get longer and endless.

The people are tired. They want roads, not rancor. Salaries, not supremacy battles. “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” And in Benue, the grass has suffered enough.

So this second Presidential intervention should be different. It must produce more than a communiqué. It must produce compromise. It must produce a working structure where the Governor governs and the SGF, as party leader, is not resisted.

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to manage conflict by peaceful means.” This is the test for Alia and Akume.

For once, the interest of Benue must be bigger than the interest of any camp. Because if this second move fails, history will not blame the President. It will remember two leaders who chose their understanding of each other over the people.