By our Reporter
Media practitioners have an important role in bridging the information gap between the government and the people at the grassroots; the Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Information and Communications, Ebenezer Adurodija has stated.
It is line with this, the Permanent Secretary charged members of Kogi Central Media Practitioners Association, (KOCEMPA ), to use their forum to promote the policies and programmes of the state government to the citizens of the State.
He gave the charge while playing host to a delegation from KOCEMPA led by the president of the association,Alhaji Ibrahim Isa-Amoka in his office in Lokoja.
According to him, the association has a vital role to play in taking the programs of government closer to the grassroots dwellers.
Adurodija further acknowledged the fact that as a media association, a lot can be done to sensitize the people on the efforts and commitments of the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo led administration in delivering dividends of democracy to the citizens of the State.
“The association has been in existence for long. I am happy that today it is being restructured for effective performance. We must plan so that we can achieve more success.
The permanent secretary charged members of the association to be financially committed to enable the association move forward to achieve its vision and mission.
On the proposed National Media summit of the association, Mr Adurodija advised that a high powered committee be set up immediately for the planning and execution of the conference scheduled for January, 2025 as proposed by the association.
Earlier, the president of the group and former Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists,(NUJ), Alhaji Ibrahim Isa-Amoka, described the appointment of Mr Ebenezer Adurodija as a round peg in a round hole, assuring that by virtue of his experience the permanent secretary will no doubt perform creditably well.
“We thank His Excellency Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for appointing one of our own as the permanent secretary of the ministry of information and Communications” he stated.
Alhaji Isa-Amoka who is alos the immediate past clerk of Kogi State House of Assembly, commended the governor for his numerous achievements especially in the areas of prompt payment of salary to workers, road construction and rehabilitation, payment of WAEC fees to students of Kogi origin, the proposed establishment of Airport in the state among others.
In his remark, the Managing Director of The Graphic newspaper, Mr Yusuf Itopa expressed happiness that members of the association were able to come together once again to achieve its mandate.
He further expressed confidence that through meeting of who-is-who in the media circle, the association would move forward.
“In Nigeria if you don’t blow your trumpet, certainly no body will do it for you; therefore we should come together and make noise to effect positive change in the society especially the reviving the moribund Ajaokuta Steel company which has been abandoned for many decades”
A member of the association who spoke on behalf of women, Mrs Idowu Aliyu, urged members of the Association that have been elevated to higher positions by the current administration to utilize the positions to justified the trust repose on them by the governor.
While expressing delight over the appointment of Mr Adurodija as permanent secretary, she urged him to do more for Kogi central senatorial district, the association and Kogi State in general.
In his brief remarks, the General Manager of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Prime FM, Lokoja, Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh congratulated the permanent secretary and appealed to him to continue the good things that earned him encomium and praises from many people when he was announced as permanent secretary.
