By joshua 
Gov. Ododo, Journalists, Stakeholders Rate Kogi’s Annual Media as a Model for Public Accountability
The launch of the first Annual Media Performance Report by the Kogi State Government has generated overwhelmingly positive sentiment among stakeholders, reflecting a growing recognition of structured communication as a critical tool for good governance.
This sentiment is echoed in reactions from the Governor, senior government officials, media professionals, academics, and communications experts who view the initiative as a transformative step toward transparency and accountability.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration has been celebrated for taking a bold step in producing the state’s first ever media performance report which has been widely endorsed as a model for public accountability.
The Kogi State Governor has now formally received the 2024 Annual Media Performance Report, commending the thoroughness, dedication, and collaborative effort behind it. While the report was earlier unveiled in Lokoja with the Governor represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade, Governor Ododo personally received the document on Friday, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to transparency, open governance, and sustained media partnership.
Describing the document as a landmark step towards institutionalizing accountable governance, Governor Ododo commended the Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Ismaila Isah, and the media team for delivering a report that mirrors professionalism and aligns with the administration’s values. He emphasized that the report will serve as a guide identifying strengths in media engagement while pointing to areas for improvement.
At the public presentation earlier in the week, Governor Ododo, through the SGS, had stressed the importance of truth, sentiment, and reach in public messaging. Reaffirming that position, he noted that his personal receipt of the report signifies the administration’s seriousness about deepening government media relations and maintaining accurate, objective communication with the public.
The Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Asiwaju Asiru Idris, described the initiative as aligned with Governor Ododo’s vision for transparency and accountability. He praised the ingenuity of the Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Ismaila Isah, for his role in delivering a report that relies on empirical data, innovation, and strategic communication.
According to him, this move positions Kogi among the leading states with an advanced communication framework.
Hon. Yahaya Farouk, Commissioner for Water Resources, acknowledged the professionalism and dedication of Hon. Ismaila Isah, noted that his role extends beyond media management to strategic communication leadership. He commended the media team of the state government for fostering a unified media agenda that reflects all sectors of governance.
Hon. Ismaila Isah, the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor amd editor-in-chief of the Kogi State Annual Media Performance Report , described the document as not just a retrospective document but a forward looking strategy to refine media engagement and deepen public trust. In his remarks, he acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the press and emphasized the importance of media professionals as both amplifiers of activities of the government and watchdogs of public interest.
He further stressed the administration’s commitment to continue building a collaborative relationship with the media, stressing that transparency and accountability in communication must remain integral to governance.
Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications, represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr. Ebenezer Adurodija applauded the teamwork that made the report possible and described it as a strong example of internal collaboration across government ministries, departments and agencies.
He pointed out that strategic communication cannot succeed without a shared vision, and the report shows the benefits of aligning media strategies with the goals of governance.
Adding to the chorus of commendations was the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who was unable to attend the event but sent his reaction, applauding the report as a groundbreaking initiative, stressing that it represents the first Annual Media Performance Report in Nigeria. He expressed his admiration for Kogi State’s approach to data-driven media management and emphasized its potential to transform communication strategies across the nation.
According to Idris, this method of tracking and evaluating media coverage will greatly enhance public sector transparency and improve decision-making processes at all levels of government.
Comrade Seidu Ademu, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kogi, commended the reports’s transparency and depth. He acknowledged its potential to serve as a model for other states, and for journalism students and practitioners interested in understanding the interface between governance and media.
National Vice President of NUJ Zone D and General Manager of Prime FM Lokoja, Comrade Adeiza Momoh Jimoh, called the report a “major achievement,” stressing the need for continued government support to enable journalists carry out their responsibilities effectively.
Michael Abu, veteran journalist and publisher of The Nigerian Post, complimented the meticulousness of the report, stating that it reflects decades of missed opportunities in public sector media audit now finally addressed. His remarks described the report’s value as a resource for media professionals and researchers alike which should be uploaded online for easy access by the public.
Comrade Yusuf Itopa, Managing Director of Graphics Newspaper, appreciated the innovation behind the media tracking methodology, adding that it marks a new chapter in government openness and professionalism in media management.
Director-General of Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Hajia Yusuf Nana Hauwa, underscored the report’s impact in building a more informed public and strengthening institutional accountability. She viewed the effort as a progressive shift in public sector communication.
Stakeholders collectively hailed the over 6,000 media mentions and the calculated Advertising Value Equivalent (₦309 million) and Public Relations Value (₦1.5 billion) as metrics that not only show volume, but actual influence and impact. These numbers are seen not just as statistics, but as indicators of effective storytelling, public trust-building, accountability and positive perception.
The outpouring of commendation was loud and clear from National Association of Nigerian Students (NAKOSS), media aides of local government chairmen, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps who was represented, the local government inspector of the NYSC, members of the Editorial group of the NYSC and resident bloggers.
Their presence further underlined the inclusive nature of the initiative, showcasing broad-based support across civic, academic, and grassroots levels
The report according to stakeholders in one voice clearly states that it sets a new standard for communication in the state, and perhaps in Nigeria. It is not merely a retrospective record of what was said, but a roadmap for how government can better speak and listen to its people.
Government House Media Team
April 12th, 2025