The Kogi State Government has commenced plans to provide Radio Kogi with a modern broadcast facility as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s broadcasting infrastructure and improve service delivery across Kogi Central.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, disclosed this during the presentation of a cheque to the landowner for the acquisition of land designated for the project.
Fanwo said the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to providing the station with a befitting operational base, noting that Radio Kogi in Okeneba remains the only station in the state-owned broadcast network operating without its own facility.
According to him, Radio Kogi stations in Lokoja, Ochaja and Egbe already operate from established facilities, making intervention in Okeneba long overdue.
“We currently have facilities in Lokoja, Ochaja and Egbe. The only place where we do not have a dedicated facility for our radio station is Okeneba.
This is unacceptable, and we are determined to reward the years of sacrifice made by staff members here,” he said.
The Commissioner described the project as one of the key initiatives of the Ododo administration in the information and communications sector, stressing that the government views broadcast media as an important platform for citizen engagement, inclusion and participation in governance.
“This project will stand as one of the legacy achievements of the Ododo administration as we continue to strengthen our broadcast media to mobilise citizens and deepen participation in governance,” Fanwo stated.
He also commended the staff of Radio Kogi for their resilience and dedication despite years of operating under challenging conditions.
“I appreciate our staff for their decades of sacrifice and for continuing to serve despite the difficult working environment,” he added.
In a related development, Fanwo announced that Governor Ododo has approved funds for the rehabilitation and replacement of faulty transmission facilities that forced the station off air for more than eight weeks.
According to him, the intervention will restore operations and improve the quality of service to listeners.
“His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has approved funds for the replacement of damaged facilities that kept the station off air for over eight weeks.
We apologise to our audience and assure them that transmission will resume soon with improved service delivery,” he said.
The Commissioner further thanked the host community for its continued support and cooperation, assuring residents that Radio Kogi would continue to serve as a platform for promoting the cultural values, heritage and aspirations of the people of Kogi Central.
The planned construction of the broadcast facility and rehabilitation of transmission equipment underscore the administration’s commitment to strengthening government-owned media platforms for effective information dissemination, civic engagement and cultural preservation.
Fanwo was accompanied by the Director-General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Princess Nana Hauwa Yussuff; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Mr. Awulu Tijani David; Technical Assistant to the Ministry, Mr. Ebenezer Adurodija; Director of Accounts, Mr. Haruna Yakubu; and other senior officials
