The news of the non-confirmation of Professor Armstrong Idachaba as the substantive Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari is big loss to the Igala people as a whole.
Whichever way we assess his performance in his acting capacity, whether he performed well or not, there was a limit to the decision he can take in that capacity.
I have personally visited him on several occasions. Throughout his period as the Acting DG, he remained in the same office as a Director, he was identified as the most Senior Director in the parastatal, who acts as a Chairman of the Board of Directors without the total authority over the Parastatal as it is required of a Director General. He did not have total control over the decisions, actions and regulatory duties of NBC. The Minister of Information ;Alhaji Lai Muhammed remains in charge, dictating the decisions to be taken by NBC which are mainly political to protect the government of the day.
For a man who is a professional in the field of Broadcasting, he tried to set up an objective for the NBC despite the several interference by the power that be and achieved the First Total Autonomous Digital Broadcasting Platform in Nigeria starting from Lagos State (Which has gone totally digital) April, 2021, a feat most DG before him could not achieve. Infact, the digitalisation project controversy led to the dismissal of his immediate predecessor.
Under the condition he served, I am convinced that any Nigerian, no matter where you come from and your level of experience and Professionalism could not have done better. He showed a combination of Professionalism and loyalty to the current administration.
In Nigeria, where merit and professionalism always takes the back seat, the refusal of the President Muhammadu Buhari to endorse him as the substantive DG of NBC, though unexpected, it did not come as a surprise to me. They waited for him to achieve the Digitalisation of Broadcasting in Nigeria before telling him to vacate the office. .
In my assessment of Professor Armstrong Idachaba’s performance, he showed Professionalism, experience and loyalty in order to retain his job as the substantive Director General of NBC.
The question we should ask ourselves is what did he not do right?
Could it be that because he is from North Central Nigeria? The answer is “No”
Could it be that because he is from Kogi State? The answer is “No”
Could it be because he is an Igala man? The answer is “Yes”.
It is very easy to conclude as some Igala people do, by saying “Buhari hates Igala people” and use his relationship with Late Prince Abubakar Audu as an example. I beg to disagree. In Buhari’s government, people are appointed based on “who carry you come?”. We also know that most political appointment are given based on the person that recommend you and the political status of your sponsor within the government.
In Igala land today, who can we say has the hear of the President? “Nobody”. We do not even have a King (Ata-Igala) or politician with national recognition. All our politicians are local and operates within the state. Non has been able to succeed the like of Senator Amodu Ali of the days of PDP. Unlike the Igbos, the Igala people voted for Mohammadu Buhari in his first and second tenure, however who is the Igala leader that drive these vote? “Non”.
So, Professor Armstrong Idachaba and many others who have lost in their drive to become the Head of various parastatals have one deficiency, which is; they come from a place that have neither a Traditional King nor a National Political Figure to fight for them despite their qualify credentials. These set of people remain my heroes for their efforts despite the obvious fact that their Igala origin have continously put them at a disadvantage.
We have lost so much, we do not have a voice in the National discuss, we have continuously worked against our best even in the selection of a Traditional King (Ata-Igala) which we fail to achieve almost a year after the demise of the Late Ata Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni. We have become “Sheep without Shepherd”. Nobody to lead the way.
I weep for my people and myself as I make this call to all Igala people of goodwill to get up and get involved in the liberation of Igala land and its people. Let us start by resolving the impasse in the selection of the new Ata-Igala. I believe, this is the place to start. At least let us have a vibrant Ata-Igala.
Idris Ejima Aruwa
