Even if Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State is unfortunate with some erroneous appointments, especially in manning the government sectoral units, one recent appointment in Chief Solomon Terver Iorpev as Honorable Commissioner for information and orientation, is not just a right peg but a precise fit.
Undoubtedly, this is the first time a core media professional would be appointed commissioner for information in Benue, since last after Dr. Cletus Akwaya, a thorough-bred journalist and PR expert, served as commissioner between 2005 and 2007.
When an administration or a governor performs right, it is only Godly to commend, without any bias. This is called constructive criticism. Therefore, beyond any political rating, it is only correct to say Governor Alia has already achieved a milestone in the information sector singularly for appointing Solomon Iorpev to head the information ministry.
To naysayers and political partisan persons, appreciating good deed of a performer who is in the realm of politics is akin to abortion of party loyalty and or somewhat a shift in political allegiance.
Ofcourse, it is mostly that when you are hated by someone, even if you dance in the mud, the person would say you are spreading dust.
And so to some persons, even if Alia does any good, what they usually see in the deed is the terrible bad. It therefore means that you can never please some persons, neither can you do anything that makes them feel appreciative, even if you build them heaven on earth.
I am not employed by Chief Iorpev to pen this appraisal over his appointment by Governor Alia. And Alia has not induced me to openly praise sing him either. I am only joyed that I, and as many others in the pen profession had, via varied media, appealed to Governor Alia to, at least this time, appoint a core media professional as information commissioner, and not just any local politician, nor market man or woman.
Governor Alia has gotten it right. He has answered the prayer of reason. It is only left for the appointee to live up to expectation, and to repose the confidence bestowed in him, and to bring back the lost glory to the long neglected information sector in Benue State.
To portray his erudite, and in taking the first step to imply he knows exactly why he is being brought, Chief Solomon Iorpev has quickly swung into action. He is not blabbing or foot-dragging like his predecessors who were non-media practitioners. He is overtly smart in his set-up to deliver, begining with critical meetings and setting the pace immediately.
Iorpev is a consummate broadcaster who understands the local and international media signs and languages. He knows the newsroom from all the corners. He is a name that the microphone recognizes on mere touch. He is eloquent and oratory. A fine gentleman in physical appearance, in intellect and relations, and he is prolific in writing. Iorpev is an epitome of knowledge, both in politics and traditional indoctrinations. He is well transversed and obviously cannot be that shy commissioner or one that shred in low self esteem.
To set the ball rolling, Iorpev has immediately unveiled his slogan of “Information Overflow.” Not propagandistic information, according to him, but info that is empirically based, with facts and figures. He intends to disseminate government policies and achievements to the generality of people while also bringing the right feedback from the people to government.
Noticeably, on assumption of duty, Iorpev interfaced with all Directors in the ministry, Heads of MDAs, State Information Officers, the NUJ leadership and all chapels under it. And more critically, he has so far carried out assessment tour and familiarization visits to all MDAs under the ministry of information.
At that, Iorpev’s aim is straight. To get first hand operational knowledge of the MDAs; to personally hear or see their predicaments and filter how best to approach them. Something stood unique while Iorpev toured. At every MDA he visited, he would drop a token to staff for refreshment. What a commissioner with deliberate knowledge of stomach infrastructure.
Above all, Chief Iorpev met all journalists in Benue State at the NUJ House in Makurdi in a special congress of the union. He spoke precisely and was concise. He unveiled his agenda, delivered in selective humour and unflinching seriousness. He intimated the media on the intentions, achievements and even travails of his boss the governor, among many others.
One thing was assuring at the congress. To bring back life to the long neglected information sector. This transcends to welfare of all journalists in the state.
Among the many plans of Iorpev, one thing remains expected: how he will convince His Excellency to resuscitate the near collapsing media outfits in Benue State.
Asides being a round peg in round hole, it is not unexpected that Iorpev will convert his political will, his wealth of experience and government connection to turn things in positive dimensions.
Truth is that, the Benue owned media outfits including the ministry of information are in total dilapidated state. It takes an Alia in Iorpev to bring succour, and this, we believe is doable.
But Iorpev, as sound and realisable as his plans seem, he would have a lot to contend with. Firstly, the bureaucratic bottleneck often associated with civil servants in sabotaging positive outcomes.
Also, some appointees of the governor especially in the media circle, who are seemingly envious of Iorpev’s towering media profile may work under. The politics of using the media against their own would also play to ensure Iorpev does not write his name in gold.
One thing I am personally convinced is that Iorpev is dogged and birthed with relentlessness. Thank God he is named Solomon – the Wise King. I pray he will defeat the narcissists. Like he fondly say, he “is a fighter; and can enter any door and if he can’t enter, he will break the door.”
With this assertion, it is optimistic that Iorpev will surmount all roadblocks to reach an indelible point of achievement. He will help Governor Alia to salvage the failed information sector. Let the work begin immediately…and let renovation and total transformation of the deteriorated media outfits kickstart quickly.
Whether Iorpev will fail or disappoint, it is not wishing and telling. He is a pack, and dozen of practicality with Solomonic wisdom and therefore, failure will not be his portion. He will succeed, I pray!
But advisedly, let Iorpev not only sing his plans like parrot, let him be a talk and do commissioner and shock those who are thinking he can’t do it.
Ayado, a Policy Communications Expert and Editor writes from Makurdi, Benue State.
