By Ogalla Daniel
The kogi State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Information, says it will partner The Graphic Newspaper on effective dissemination and propagation of activities about government at the grassroots level.
The Chairman House Standing Committee on Information, Hon. Bode Ogunmola made the remark when he led members on an over sight function to The Graphic Newspaper as part of on-going tour of media organisations in the state.
Hon Ogunmola stressed that the assignment was in line with the 8th Assembly’s agenda of bringing governance closer to the people, to strengthen and to cement relationship between the government and the grassroots through the state owned media outfits across Kogi.
According to him, the committee was on a fact finding working visit to ascertian the challenges confronting the corporation with a view to providing data for government as it works towards preparing it’s budget for the coming year.
In his contribution, member representating Igalamela/Odolu State Constituency, Hon Major Enefola, applauded management of the paper for sustaining the legacies of the founding fathers of the state despite the many hurdles.
He equally assured the paper of his readiness to collaborate with it in the area of marketing to expand its readership which he noted had recorded a swift decline in recent years.
On his part, member representating Ajaokuta State Constituency, Hon. Jibril Abu, emphasised the need to initiate programs for capacity building as part of measures tailored towards manpower development and growth.
Contributing, Hon Idrees Maikudi representating Kogi/Koton-Karfe State Constituency, inquired about staff strength and conducive environment for effective service delivery within the organisation while charging management to strive towards delivering on its set goals.
Also, member representating Ijumu State Constituency, Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye applaud the corporation for its efforts at enhancing information dissemination in the state.
During the interactive session with members of the management team, the committee deliberated on issues that would held move the organisation forward.
The Director, Fiinance and Account,Mr Sule Ahmed Tijani and Marketing Manager, Mrs Bolanle Inubiwon, called for support and review of policies to enable the paper perform effectively. They acknowledged the need for funding, provision of operational vehicles and manpower at the corporation.
Responding, the Executive Editor,Mr James Oyewole, expressed the readiness of the paper to support and partner with the state assembly towards disseminating important policies and programs of the State Government to the public and promoting the achievements of the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo administration in Kogi state.
He listed inadequate funding, lack of manpower, absence of training programs and working tools as some of the hurdles affecting effective and efficient information dissemination to the grassroots in the State.
He used the forum to appeal members of the committee to continue to support their agitations to enable the agency sustain its outstanding achievements and better it’s performance.
On his part, the Managing Director and Editor in Chief of The Graphic Newspaper, Mr Yusuf Jimoh Itopa, commended the state assembly for collaborating with the agency to ensure that residents especially at the grassroots have access to information about the activities of government.
According to him, with the needed government support, the media team was prepared for effective dissemination and propagation of activities about government at the grassroots level and other communities in the country were Kogites reside.
He also requested capacity-building programs , enhanced funding and review of past financial agreements and initiatives in line with recent developments
The MD used the forum to appreciate the assembly for its support and cooperation.
