By Joy Salami
The Convener of the 100 Most Influential Kogi Men and Women Initiative, Torah Ozichu, has emphasised the need to document and preserve the stories of individuals who have made positive impact in Kogi State.
The project she further revealed is designed to serve as an archive for present and future generations.
Ozichu made this known during a courtesy visit to the management of The Graphic newspaper, where she sought strategic media collaboration ahead of the 2025 edition of the initiative.
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According to her, the initiative is a non-partisan, impact-driven project established to recognize Kogi indigenes and individuals of Kogi origin who have distinguished themselves through service, leadership, innovation, and community development, both within and outside the state.
She explained that the project was created to spotlight positive role models whose influence extends beyond personal success to community building, youth inspiration, economic growth, governance, education, media, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and social advocacy.
“The idea is to document and amplify stories of resilience, service, and excellence within Kogi State in a way that inspires the present generation and those yet unborn,” Ozichu said.
She noted that since its inception three years ago, the initiative has continued to gain publicity, credibility, and public engagement, gradually emerging as a reference point for excellence, accountability, and purposeful leadership in the state.
Ozichu added that the annual edition brings together stakeholders, media partners, institutions, and members of the public in a shared commitment to promoting values that advance Kogi State’s social and developmental narrative.
She disclosed that the 2025 edition would build on this foundation with renewed focus on transparency, public participation, and strategic media collaboration to ensure wider reach, accurate storytelling, and sustained impact.
The convener revealed that the initiative has already received national attention, including a dedicated page feature by Daily Trust Newspaper, stressing the importance of partnering with indigenous media platforms to enhance grassroots awareness.
She emphasised that nomination into the project is completely free, noting that neither nominees nor nominators are required to pay any fee.
“Our priority is credibility. We only ask that nominators follow the guidelines. There is no payment involved at any stage,” she said.
Clarifying misconceptions, Ozichu explained that the initiative is not centered on conventional award ceremonies but on documentation and archiving.
“This project is not about fanfare or awards. It is about preserving legacies, recognizing those who have made an impact, whether living or deceased, to inspire generations,” she explained.
On the structure of the project, Ozichu said nominations are currently ongoing through official email addresses and WhatsApp platforms, with a screening committee set up to verify all submissions and eliminate falsified information.
Verified profiles, she said, would be published under clearly defined categories and made accessible through a digital platform for public reference and research, culminating in a compendium and public book presentation.
The initiative features about 20 categories, including education, agriculture, politics, media, religion, social advocacy, entertainment, and an under-35 category for young achievers, among others.
Ozichu further clarified that the initiative remains private and non-partisan, noting that while it is open to collaboration, including with government institutions stating that its independence and credibility would not be compromised.
She also disclosed that the project team cuts across the three senatorial districts of Kogi State and comprises individuals born and bred in the state, irrespective of ethnic background.
Ozichu called on Kogites to take advantage of the open nomination process by nominating deserving individuals or self-nominating, stressing that tribe, religion, social status, or financial capacity are not barriers to participation.
“This initiative belongs to everyone. It is about telling our story truthfully and preserving the legacies that define Kogi State,” she concluded.
Responding, the Managing Director of Graphic Newspaper, Mr. Yusuf Itopa, commended the initiative for its clarity, transparency, and developmental focus, describing it as timely and aligned with the media’s role in shaping society.
Mr. Itopa expressed appreciation for the decision to partner with a Kogi-based media organization and assured that The Graphic Newspaper would support initiatives that promote accountability, celebrate excellence, and contribute positively to the documentation of the state’s history.
“This is the kind of project that preserves our collective story and inspire others to contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
