By Douglas Princemola
The once-thriving Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), the state’s flagship media outfit, is fast collapsing under the weight of neglect, poor funding, and alleged corruption, with many pointing fingers at top government officials.
Sources within IBC and the Imo media community are raising serious concerns over the alleged disappearance of critical broadcast infrastructure and equipment. The broadcaster—comprising Orient TV and Orient FM—has become a ghost of itself, barely staying on air despite being a long-standing pillar of public communication in the state.
Staff now work in what they describe as “a hostile and abandoned environment,” plagued by constant vandalism, insecurity, and near-zero power supply. The IBC headquarters in Owerri, which also houses the offices of Imo Newspapers (publishers of The Nigerian Statesman), has become overrun by weeds and floodwater. Roads leading into the premises are riddled with potholes, while some areas have turned into swamps during rainy seasons.
Investigations have revealed that numerous assets—including an Outside Broadcast (OB) van, a Toyota Camry, a Hilux pickup, a Hummer bus, a Toyota Sienna, and two full broadcasting units—have allegedly gone missing under questionable circumstances. These assets were originally donated by former Governor Dr. Ikedi Ohakim to boost IBC’s operational strength.
Sources close to the station allege that the disposal or removal of these items was facilitated by the Director-General of IBC, Mrs. Ify Onyegbule, acting under the directives of Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Declan Emelumba. No public record or government communication has clarified the fate of the equipment, fueling concerns of misappropriation.
Efforts by journalists to reach both Onyegbule and Emelumba for clarification proved abortive. Repeated calls and messages were ignored, compounding public suspicion and fueling speculation that the decline of the station may be intentional or politically motivated.
While IBC struggles to operate, reports suggest the Imo State Government continues to spend between ₦8 million to ₦10 million per event on live coverage using private media platforms. Critics argue that such funds could have been directed toward reviving the state’s own broadcaster, which now lies in ruins.
Despite being available on Startimes Channel 35, Orient TV is barely functional. Broadcasts are irregular, and technical hitches are now a common feature. Most of the staff remain idle due to the lack of equipment and an environment unfit for media production.
Insiders lament what they describe as “a deliberate abandonment” of IBC in favor of private media owned by political allies. Analysts believe this strategy weakens the voice of the public broadcaster while consolidating control of media narratives in the hands of government-friendly platforms.
What’s more alarming, observers say, is the total erosion of staff morale. Many employees now fear for their safety while reporting to work. Cases of harassment, cable theft, and even physical assault during early hours have become frequent. Basic office materials, power sources, and recording tools are unavailable.
With mounting frustration across the state, calls for an independent investigation into the state of IBC are growing louder. Civil society groups, former staff, and media watchdogs are demanding transparency, accountability, and immediate intervention before the historic institution becomes permanently extinct.
Governor Hope Uzodinma, who has repeatedly promised infrastructural transformation and media reform, is now under pressure to act. Stakeholders warn that failure to address the decay of IBC may signal a broader policy of indifference toward public service institutions in Imo State.
Imolites are asking a pressing question: How can a state that once led the Southeast in media excellence now watch its own broadcaster die in silence?
