Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has issued an Executive Order renaming the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation (BPPC) to Dan Agbese Printing and Publishing Corporation (DAPPC).
The development is in honour of the late veteran journalist, Chief Dan Agbese, who passed on in November last year. A valedictory session in his honour was held at NUJ House, Makurdi, on Thursday, February 12.
Chief Agbese, a co-founder of Newswatch magazine and former Director General of Radio Benue Makurdi, also served as a Director in the Ministry of Information Makurdi.
The renaming is expected to institutionalise excellence in public communication, preserve Chief Agbese’s legacy and inspire future generations to pursue truth and service with courage and professionalism, Chief Solomon Iorpev, Technical Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, says in a statement.
“This change, which shall apply in all official documents, communications, legal instruments, signage, branding materials and public references, takes effect immediately as all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies have been directed to take necessary administrative and legal steps to ensure full compliance and implementation.
“The governor believes that honouring Dan Agbese in this manner will strengthen the culture of responsible journalism, ethical publishing and intellectual development within the state and therefore calls on all citizens of Benue state, particularly media practitioners, writers, students and public servants, to uphold the values exemplified by the late Dan Agbese.
“Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia reiterates his administration’s commitment to recognise merit, preserve Benue’s heritage and build institutions that reflect the dignity, history and aspirations of the people,” part of Chief Iorpev’s statement reads.
The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Benue State Council, Mr Bemdoo Ugber, in a tribute to the doyen of journalism, said Chief Dan Agbese “stood at the forefront of a media revolution that shaped national discourse and strengthened democratic ideals.”
According to Mr Ugber, Chief Agbese was not just a journalist; he was an institution that schooled many in their journalism careers.
“His pen was fearless, his voice measured but firm, and his convictions anchored on truth and justice.
“In an era when journalism demanded courage, he stood tall. In moments when silence was safer, he chose to speak.
“Chief Dan Agbese belonged to that rare generation of journalists whose credibility could not be questioned and whose integrity could not be compromised.
“He believed that journalism was not merely a profession but a sacred responsibility, a call to serve society with facts, fairness, and fearless patriotism.
“To us in Benue State, he was more than a national icon; he was our pride, a distinguished elder statesman and a worthy ambassador of our land.
“He carried the name of Benue with dignity across Nigeria and beyond.
“His achievements remind us that from our soil can emerge greatness that commands global respect,” Mr Ugber stated, even as he said the legacies of the late Agbese place a solemn responsibility on all in the media profession.
“We must uphold the standards he cherished.
“We must protect the ethics he defended.
“We must ensure that the profession he loved continues to stand as a pillar of democracy and development,” Mr Ugber counsels.
In his exhortation, Bishop Uba Udenyi said that Chief Agbese has not died; he lives on through his works.
