In a recent development, the Benue State House of Assembly has taken a bold step by passing a resolution urging the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to put an end to the popular reality television show, Big Brother Naija.
This decision was reached during a significant plenary session presided over by the esteemed Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Dajoh, where the concerns raised by Hon. Manger Manger, the representative for Tarka State Constituency, took center stage.
The crux of the matter revolved around derogatory comments made by one of the Big Brother Naija housemates, Venita Akpofure, directed towards the Tiv ethnic group. In light of these offensive remarks, the Assembly not only called for the ban of the show but also issued a firm demand for Venita Akpofure to publicly apologize to the Tiv ethnic community. This apology was to be disseminated through two national newspapers and televised on prominent news stations.
To address the gravity of the situation and set a precedent for the future, the Assembly recommended reporting Venita Akpofure to the Inspector General of Police and initiating legal action against her in a competent court. The intention behind this was to discourage any similar instances in the future.
In supporting his motion, Hon. Manger cited Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, emphasizing the fundamental principle that every individual or group deserves respect for their dignity. This principle was deemed paramount and in need of protection.
The concerns raised by Hon. Manger were further heightened due to the nature of Venita Akpofure’s comments, where she wrongly alleged that the Tiv people of Benue State engage in a practice of offering their wives to visitors and friends for entertainment. Manger emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue promptly to prevent any further confusion and misinformation, particularly since Venita Akpofure had previously been married to a Tiv man and had two children from that union.
The Benue State House of Assembly’s objective is clear: they aim to curb the potential harm caused by such inflammatory statements and ensure that accuracy, respect, and understanding prevail in all public discourse.
