By joshua Hon. Chris Ben-Kato: One Passionate Voice Behind Gov. Ododo’s Success Story, Model of Selfless Public Service
By Abu Micheal.
In the corridors of governance where many seek what they can gain, Hon. Chris Ben-Kato, Senior Special Assistant on Information and Communication Strategy to Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo, stands out as one rare appointee defined by what he gives.
A former staff of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA Lokoja and ex-Head of Commercial, Hon. Kato has carried his broadcast and marketing pedigree into politics with remarkable distinction. He is not just an appointee. He is a communicator, a strategist, a builder, and a relentless amplifier of the Ododo administration’s vision. Without mincing words and without waiting to be prompted, Hon. Kato goes the extra mile. He commits personal resources to fund newsletters, press releases, radio commentaries, and grassroots mobilization, all aimed at ensuring that no vacuum exists in telling the story of a government he describes as led by “a man truly a Chief Servant.”
His background in the commercial arm of broadcasting has shaped him into more than a spokesperson. Years in that role taught him how to package government policies into clear, compelling narratives that resonate at the grassroots, and how to treat the Ododo administration like a premium brand that must remain visible, credible, and trusted. He understands the public pulse and tailors information for maximum impact. He delivers the Governor’s accomplishments like a seasoned match commentator, with precision, dates, and accuracy that leave his audience eager for more. Resourcefulness, discipline, and integrity define him. He is willing to deploy personal funds and networks to ensure information reaches the last man in the village, and he proves daily that public service is not about what you get, but about the value and name you build.
At his fingertips are the milestones of the Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo administration, which he highlights in his daily writings and broadcasts. These include ongoing road construction and rehabilitation across the 21 LGAs to ease movement and boost commerce, the revitalization of primary healthcare centers with the provision of essential drugs to make healthcare accessible, and support for education through the payment of WAEC and NECO fees for indigent students alongside investment in school infrastructure. His account also covers agricultural empowerment through the distribution of farm inputs, tractors, and support for youth and women in agribusiness, prompt payment of salaries and pensions in the civil service, and the implementation of a new minimum wage template. He speaks of strengthened collaboration with security agencies to keep Kogi safe, deliberate appointments and empowerment programs that give youth and women a voice in governance, and the expansion of rural electrification and water projects to bring power and potable water to underserved communities.
Whenever Hon. Kato speaks, people listen because he makes governance understandable to the ordinary Kogite. What makes him unique is his philosophy of service before reward. At a time when others are calculating entitlements, he is calculating impact. He funds communication materials, engages media platforms, and takes the Governor’s message directly to the people. He embodies the rare blend of a commercial manager turned politician who understands that reputation is capital, trust is currency, and communication is the bridge between government and the governed.
In an era of noise, Hon. Chris Ben-Kato has chosen to be the signal. Men like him, who serve without prompting and give without counting the cost, deserve to be celebrated. With his personal resources as the vehicle, he continues to drive home the message that Gov. Ododo is working, and Kogi is moving forward.
Abu Micheal, Writes from Lokoja