Former staff members of the Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC) recently expressed strong opposition to the state government’s plan to rename the organization as the Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), warning that the move could undermine the institution’s historical legacy.
The former employees, operating under the umbrella of the “Forum of AKBC Ambassadors,” stated that while they support efforts to restructure and modernise the 39-year-old establishment, which operates both radio and television services, they insist that the name remain unchanged to preserve its decades-long connection to the people of Akwa Ibom.
In a memorandum submitted to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and signed by Comfort Umanah, the group argued that AKBC represents far more than a corporate identity.
“The Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation is not just a name; it is a legacy deeply rooted in the history, identity, and collective consciousness of the Akwa Ibom people since the state’s creation in 1987,” the forum stated.
The group further emphasised the risk of eroding a unified identity, noting, “The term ‘Akwa Ibom’ carries political, cultural, and historical significance that ‘Ibom’ alone cannot fully convey.
“As a public voice, the corporation should carry the full identity of the state it serves, much like similar institutions across Nigeria and the world.”
The former staff maintained that changing the name could diminish the institution’s heritage and weaken the bond it has cultivated with the public over the years.
They urged the government to retain the AKBC brand while continuing to pursue necessary reforms aimed at improving the corporation’s operations and service delivery.
