In this interview, firebrand broadcaster and director general of Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), Ify Onyegbule explains the idea behind the IBC Golden Voices Award, choices of recipients and Governor Uzodinma’s role at the event fixed for February 13 Excerpt…
Tell us about the IBC Awards
The IBC Golden Voices Award is something we have come up with as an organization to celebrate the great voices that ruled the airwaves on IBC. These were people who gave their time, their youths, using their talents to bring us joy and laughter over the years, as we speak many of them are no longer with us but our part as a responsible organization is to celebrate them by instituting this Golden Voices Award that will be presented to them in February 13.
What is the Idea behind the Awards?
This is an initiative that was born out of the need to pay homage to whom it is due in the world of Broadcasting here in Imo state, I recall my time as Station Manager of Rock city FM Abeokuta in 2014, we had a similar Award that celebrated veteran Broadcasters that began their careers in Abeokuta and many others who had distinguished themselves in the profession so we brought them all together under on roof and celebrated them courtesy of the radio station where I worked at that time. It was a success because some other media organizations followed suit so I think it is very key for me to bring it home so that we can, as IBC, celebrate these great voices that paved the way for a lot of broadcasters here in Imo state and I think its plus for us as IBC to remember the phenomenal humans who brought so much joy and laughter into our homes via their Radio and TV Programmes, News reading et al.
How Many Persons are receiving awards at the event?
There are 11 veterans who are still alive and have been shortlisted to pick up awards on that day, Joe Ehioma, Onyebuchi Onyeikegbulam, Imelda Oyiogu, Chinyere okere, Isaac Anyanwu, Chidi Madu, Mahakwe Ike, Donald Ekenta, Colman Nwanne, Ethelbert Nwachukwu and Chike Osuji will be honored on that day, we also have 2 former DG’s of IBC, Esther Obong-Egbuna and Chudi Onuzo of blessed memory will also be honored with posthumous awards for their contributions to Broadcasting in Imo state and Nigeria in General.
How have you dealt with the growing questions about the recipients?
Yes there have been so many questions of why only a few persons were shortlisted for the Awards and I have received calls from all over the place asking questions why some particular names are not on that list and I have said time and again that this is the first edition of the Award event here in Imo state and first of its kind, this side of the Niger and it only means that the awards will come in batches, maybe I should tell you here that about 40 names were listed when we began planning, and we pruned it down to 10 because we decided that it wont be a one-off, from the 10 names, when my team members reached out, some clearly mentioned that they were not interested so we moved on to others who agreed and expressed their delight at being invited to an event where they will be celebrated so we went on and planned with these people in mind and it made it a lot easier for us because we ended up having an idea of who and who will be there and adequate arrangements have been made to receive them and we are waiting to meet and greet them and welcome them like the legends that they are. For the Posthumous Award, we initially planned to have just 1 recipient in that category and we chose the Late Esther Obong-Egbuna but then we increased it to 2 by adding the late Chudi Onuzo to that category and its amazing to hear some members of my staff speak glowingly about these 2 veterans that are resting with the angels and it means that your work will always speak for you even after you have transited.
Do you have sponsors for the event?
None for now because you have to first start something and flow with it, when people or organizations see how passionate you are about it or how well it benefits the people they will latch onto it and support you all the way. For this event, we are looking out and praying that we get support from the government to boost what we have planned for this event because it will go a long way in projecting the cause for this Award ceremony.
What other things are lined up for this event?
We have a lot of things that you should expect from this event, some Commissioners and appointees in this administration will be receiving Special Recognition Awards for the great job they are doing in Imo state because these achievements are glaring for the people to see so its important to let them know that we see their efforts in supporting the governor to deliver on his campaign promises. It is important for you to come to the event and see who these Commissioners are and also felicitate with them.
What Role is the Governor Playing at this event?
That’s a million Dollar question, we looked at the caliber of persons getting these awards, putting it side by side with the work they had done when IBC was the “one and only” in the state and we decided that our Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma is the ideal person to deliver the Keynote Address at that event which is scheduled for the World Radio Day, February 13, which makes it very significant. It will also interest you to know that aside from delivering the keynote address at that event, the governor will also be bestowed with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his exemplary leadership in terms of governance in Imo state.
Who else is expected at the Awards event?
There is a long list but let me fill you in on the fact that some traditional leaders have been invited because cannot have events like this and leave our traditional leaders out of it. 4 traditional leaders will be there, HRH, Eze (Dr.) E.C Okeke, Eze Udo of Amaifeke, Chairman Imo Traditional Council, Chairman South east Traditional Council. HRH Eze T.O Obiefula, Paramount Ruler, Umudioka Ancient Kingdom, HRM, Eze (Dr.) Innocent Opara, Ezeugo 2 of Orji Uratta Autonomous Community and HRH Eze Phillip Uzodimma, Ononenyi 1 of Ozu Omuma will all be there and we will be happy to have them grace the occasion. There are also religious leaders, Captains of Industry, personalities from the Academia, some broadcasters from other media organizations, friends from the hospitality industry and IBC well-wishers.
Is there room to accommodate others at this Award event?
Sure, the next edition will be on the World Radio Day next year (2026) and God willing, other veterans will be invited to take their pride of place where they will also be celebrated for their contributions to Broadcasting in the state. We will also continue to recognize individuals working tirelessly with the governor to entrench good governance in the state so there is room to say thank you and good job, to those who are working relentlessly.
What are the other details of the event?
The Golden Voices Award is scheduled for Thursday February 13, 2025 at the IBC Headquarters, Achike Udenwa Avenue, New Owerri by 10am. Let me also mention here that this is the first edition and there will be subsequent editions where others will be celebrated so join hands with us and make this event a memorable one for all.
