History

What we now have as Radio Benue started as Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation NBC Makurdi in April, 1978. When the then Federal Military Government created seven new states on February 3, 1976, an idea was mooted that all the 19 States of the Federation should, each, have a branch of the NBC located in their respective capitals to boost grass root broadcasting service and enhance communication between the Government and the people. To this end, a one year exploratory work was initiated and supervised by the Headquarters of the NBC, in Lagos and by January 1977, funds were made available for the acquisition of equipment and manpower for the various State Stations.

NBC Makurdi (as it was then called) was located in a 12 room house, rented at Barracks Road, Makurdi. It had initial staff strength of 100, headed by Mr. Niran Ogunyemi Ogungbemi who was posted from he Headquarters to Makurdi as a State Controller along with other staff from the various Zonal Offices of the Corporation.

It was the intention of the Federal Government at the time, that NBC Makurdi, like its counterparts in other States would belong to the Federal Government and be run as part and parcel of the NBC network. Later however, there was a change in policy. The Federal Government directed that Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria be reorganized and the ownership of the State Stations of the NBC taken over by the respective State Governments. Consequently, NBC Makurdi passed over to Benue State backed by an enabling Edict Number 14 of 1978 and christened – RADIO BENUE. Ogungbemi who pioneered the station was redeployed to the Federal Radio Corporation FRCN Ibadan in 1980. Since then, Radio Benue has been administered by Chief Executives namely, Dan Agbese, Daniel Ogalla, Imbishi Iyoryisa, Linus Amokaha, Isa Edime, William I. Moze, Engr. Mark Iorpuu, Simon C. Egede Esq., Simon Tor-Melabu, Julius Achin, Iorember Jija, Maria Odeh, Elvis Attah, , Espei Ushe Uba.and the incumbent Charles Iornumbe (PhD).