Benue Media Revamp: Governor Alia Appoints Vatican Radio Veteran Fr. Patrick Alumunku to Lead TV Board



-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

​MAKURDI – In a high-stakes move to modernize the state’s communication infrastructure, the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has officially approved the appointment of a new governing board for the Benue Television Corporation.

​At the helm of this transformation is Rev. Fr. Dr. Patrick Alumunku, OON, a titan in the world of religious and secular broadcasting. His appointment, announced on March 5, 2026, is seen as a tactical masterstroke by the Alia administration to bring international standards to the local airwaves.

​A Legacy of Global Communication

​Fr. Alumunku’s resume reads like a roadmap of modern media history. Holding a Doctorate Degree in Mass Communication, he spent 12 years at Vatican Radio in Rome, broadcasting to a global audience. Back in Nigeria, his influence grew during a 21-year tenure as the Director of Communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Catholic Television of Nigeria (CTV), Alumunku is expected to leverage his vast network and technical expertise to reposition Benue Television as a leading regional broadcaster.

​A "Dream Team" of Media Veterans

​Governor Alia has surrounded Fr. Alumunku with a board composed of some of the most respected names in Nigerian media. This is not a board of political appointees, but rather a "technocratic council" designed for results:

  • ​Academic and Creative Leadership: The board’s Secretary, Dr. Thaddeus Hanmakyugh, brings a PhD in Film Production and Media Arts. Having retired from the National Film Institute, his role will likely focus on elevating the cinematic and storytelling quality of the station's content.
  • ​National Broadcasting Experience: The inclusion of Mrs. Jennifer Ejembi, a former Executive Director of the NTA Ibadan, and Dr. Barnabas Gbam, the former Rector of the NTA College Jos, ensures that the corporation is guided by individuals who understand the nuances of national-scale broadcasting and institutional training.
  • ​Technical Excellence: To ensure the station remains on the cutting edge of signal quality and infrastructure, the Governor tapped Engr. Sunday Iji, a veteran who previously served as the Director of Engineering Services at Radio Benue.

​A New Vision for Benue’s Heritage

​The appointments, which take immediate effect, were finalized through a statement by the Governor’s Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communication, Chief Solomon Iorpev.

​Governor Alia’s mandate to the new board is twofold: first, to drastically improve broadcasting standards to compete in a digital-first era, and second, to serve as a cultural custodian. He has challenged the team to produce high-quality programming that serves as a window into Benue State’s rich cultural heritage, ensuring the "Food Basket of the Nation" is projected with dignity and excellence to the world.

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