FIC Report (Benue State) – The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, has called for strategic collaboration between the Union and the Benue State Christian Pilgrimage Welfare Board to enhance public awareness of the Board’s activities.
Comrade Ugber made the call on Thursday 19 February 2026 during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Board, Rev. Fr. Michael Meladu.
He noted that the appointment of Fr. Meladu by the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, was a reflection of his pragmatic and result-oriented leadership style.
According to the NUJ Chairman, the Board has witnessed renewed vigour since Fr. Meladu assumed office. He particularly commended the successful sponsorship of Benue State contingents to embark on pilgrimage to Jerusalem for spiritual growth—an exercise that had been suspended during the previous administration.
Comrade Ugber stated that the State Working Committee of NUJ sought the partnership to ensure effective dissemination of information about the Board’s programmes and activities. He further appealed to the Board to consider allocating pilgrimage slots to Benue journalists, noting that such an opportunity would not only enhance their spiritual lives but also enable them to provide firsthand reports of pilgrimage activities to the people back home.
In his response, Rev. Fr. Michael Meladu expressed appreciation for the visit and acknowledged the critical role of journalism in shaping public opinion and promoting societal development. He described the media as a powerful institution that cannot be relegated, given its responsibility in information dissemination.
The Board Chairman thanked Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia for finding him worthy of the appointment and pledged to reposition the Board both structurally and administratively. He disclosed plans to introduce revenue-generating initiatives, including the establishment of an international kindergarten at the Board’s permanent site, which, when completed and commissioned, would serve as a sustainable source of income to support the Board’s projects.
Fr. Meladu further explained that the resumption of pilgrimage for Benue contingents last year demonstrated the Governor’s commitment to the spiritual wellbeing of Christians in the state. He revealed that the Governor cleared ₦96 million in outstanding arrears owed to the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, which had stalled pilgrimage activities for three years, enabling 78 pilgrims to undertake the spiritual journey to the Holy Land.
He added that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leaders across the nineteen Northern states were also allocated pilgrimage slots, a gesture that strengthened goodwill and unity within the Christian community.
Rev. Fr. Meladu assured the NUJ Chairman of the Board’s readiness to partner with the Union to effectively publicise its programmes and promised to give due consideration to the requests presented during the visit.
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center FIC Makurdi
