Remembering Idoma Voice Pioneer Editor, Ameh Jerry, 11 years after

It is exactly eleven years since Idoma Voice lost its Pioneer Editor, Ameh Jerry, a journalist whose vision laid the foundation for what this newspaper represents today.

Ameh Jerry was not merely the first editor of Idoma Voice; he was its architect. At a time when Idoma perspectives were largely absent or marginal in mainstream discourse, he, alongside a group of dedicated youths, took on the responsibility of shaping a platform committed to telling the Idoma story with clarity, balance, and purpose.

Under his pioneering editorial leadership, Idoma Voice emerged as a forum for information, identity, advocacy, and dialogue. As Pioneer Editor, he set the editorial tone that continues to define this publication—one rooted in truth, fairness, courage, and service to the people.

He believed journalism should give voice to the voiceless, interrogate power responsibly, and promote unity without erasing identity. These principles guided the early years of Idoma Voice and remain relevant more than a decade after his passing.

Eleven years on, the challenges confronting the Idoma nation and Benue State—representation, security, development, youth inclusion, and cultural preservation—echo many of the concerns he consistently highlighted. That these issues persist is a reminder of the enduring relevance of his editorial vision and the unfinished work he left behind.

Beyond headlines and columns, Ameh Jerry’s legacy lies in the standards he established. He mentored young journalists, insisted on accuracy over sensationalism, and upheld the idea that regional journalism, when done properly, contributes meaningfully to national development.

Today, Idoma Voice renews its pledge to the ideals upon which it was founded: in search of truth and freedom for the Idoma people and the wider Benue society. We honour his memory by sustaining the platform he helped build and by continuing to speak with the courage, integrity, and responsibility that defined his work.

Ameh Jerry may no longer hold the editor’s pen, but the path he charted remains the guide for Idoma Voice.

Rest on, great compatriot!

— Editorial Board, Idoma Voice