Permanent Secretary Begins Familiarisation Visit, Urges Government Media Houses to Strengthen Information Dissemination
Kogi State Permanent Secretary for Information and Communications, Mr. Tijani Awulu, has commenced a familiarisation tour of government media establishments, emphasizing the critical role of accurate information dissemination in governance and charging staff to remain diligent and professional.
The Permanent Secretary of the Kogi State Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Tijani Awulu, has underscored the indispensable role of effective information dissemination in promoting good governance, urging government-owned media establishments to sustain professionalism, diligence and commitment in projecting the activities and achievements of the state government.
Mr. Awulu made the remarks on Thursday during a familiarisation visit to the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation (KSBC), The Graphic Newspaper, and the Kogi Government Printing Press in Lokoja.
The visit, his first official engagement with the agencies since assuming office as Permanent Secretary, was aimed at interacting with management and staff, assessing operational activities and strengthening collaboration within the ministry and its parastatals.
Addressing staff during the tour, Awulu described information management as a vital component of governance, stressing that timely, accurate and credible dissemination of government policies, programmes and achievements remains essential in combating misinformation and disinformation.
He urged media professionals in the state’s information sector to remain steadfast in upholding the highest standards of journalism and public communication, noting that effective reportage plays a crucial role in promoting transparency, public confidence and government accountability.
The Permanent Secretary commended the management and staff of the various establishments for their dedication and contributions to public information, particularly acknowledging the impact of KSBC and The Graphic Newspaper in projecting the image of Kogi State beyond its borders.
He encouraged them to sustain the quality of their work, assuring that issues relating to operational challenges and staff welfare would receive the attention of the ministry through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, and ultimately the state government.
Awulu also praised the Commissioner for his leadership style, describing him as a humble, committed and accessible administrator who remains focused on achieving excellent results through teamwork and effective service delivery.
Also speaking during the visit, the Technical Assistant to the Ministry, Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija, appealed to the heads of the agencies to extend maximum cooperation to the new Permanent Secretary to facilitate the achievement of the ministry’s objectives.
He assured them of the ministry’s continued support in addressing institutional needs through the appropriate channels.
Responding on behalf of the agencies, the Director-General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Hajia Nana Hauwa Yussuf, commended Hon. Kingsley Fanwo for providing the leadership and support that have enhanced the station’s operations.
She disclosed that the station now broadcasts for at least 13 continuous hours daily, a significant improvement from the previous four-hour transmission schedule before her appointment.
According to her, KSBC has also expanded its reach through online streaming on Radio Garden, a development she attributed to the support of the state government in providing the resources required for improved service delivery.
She pledged the corporation’s continued commitment to professionalism and collaboration with the ministry in advancing the government’s communication objectives.
Similarly, the Managing Director of The Graphic Newspaper, Y. J. Itopa, expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Information and Communications for the confidence reposed in the management of the newspaper.
He noted that the operational independence granted to the newspaper’s management has encouraged innovation and improved performance, assuring that the publication would continue to uphold professional standards in serving the people of Kogi State.
Also speaking, the Director of the Kogi Government Printing Press, Mr. Idris Shaibu, applauded the Commissioner’s leadership, describing him as accessible, supportive and committed to improving the operations of the printing press.
He said the cordial working relationship between the ministry and the agency has contributed significantly to the smooth running of the establishment.
The Permanent Secretary was accompanied on the familiarisation visit by members of the management team of the Ministry of Information and Communications.
The visit formed part of efforts to strengthen institutional collaboration, improve service delivery and reinforce the strategic role of government media organisations in promoting transparent governance and effective public communication across Kogi State.