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A seemingly light-hearted post by popular Benue social commentator Ukan Kurugh has stirred up quite a conversation online.
In the post, Ukan shared a simple translation:
– English: Give me a Hug
– Tiv: Va kuven
– Hyarev: Va Kimbem
What was intended as a fun linguistic joke quickly drew criticism from some quarters. One commenter expressed disappointment, noting that many people respect Ukan as the “voice of the voiceless” and hope for the common man, but found this particular post shocking. The person advised that even if it was meant as a joke, he should choose different content next time.
The post, however, also received strong support. Wedikpa Terzungwe Bernard, an Ihyarev man from Guma LGA, defended Ukan, arguing that nothing was wrong with the joke. He pointed out that people from other ethnic groups (Hausas, Yorubas, Igala, etc.) often create funny content using their own accents and languages, and everyone laughs along. He questioned why Ukan should be “crucified” for a mere joke and humorously told anyone who felt insulted to “go and kimbe transformer.”
In response to the backlash, Ukan Kurugh himself replied calmly, saying the critics are haters but he won’t let them get to him.
The conversation has generated hundreds of comments, with many weighing in on issues of cultural sensitivity, freedom of expression, and the use of local languages for humour in Benue.
This incident highlights how even innocent language-based jokes can sometimes spark debate in our diverse society, especially when they touch on specific dialects or communities.
What’s your take on this? Was Ukan Kurugh’s post just harmless fun, or did it cross a line? Should people be more careful with cultural jokes online?
