CHAPTER   SIX

INFORMATION  SERVICES

The achievement of Ibrahim Idris-led administration can only be better understood within the context of effective information and dissemination which are the bedrock of good governance.  Besides, since the success of any government depends on its ability to evolve a credible information network to communicate its programmes, the P.D.P. – led administration in the State has left no stone unturned in its efforts to turn around its information dissemination machinery by providing equipment and facilities to its information dissemination organs to improve their services.

Against this background, the present administration in the State has largely succeeded in information needs of its people.  It is to the credit of the present administration in the State that it has in the last three years changed the orientation of the State-owned information outfit.  The hitherto personalized and  unprofessional style of information dissemination in the State has been replaced with one that promotes good governance and also creates a conducive atmosphere for the peaceful co-existence and rapid socio-economic transformation of the State.

THE  STATE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION:

The State Ministry of Information now propelled by a new visionary and committed leadership has been able to set the stage for a new information order in the State.  This, no doubt has impacted positively in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.  Presently, apart from its regular issuance of press releases, the State Ministry of Information also produces a quarterly magazine, Kogi Today and  another periodical, Information Digest these are circulated among a very wide audience.

The determination of the Ministry to work in collaboration with the Kogi State House of Assembly’s Committee on Information and Public Enlightenment, the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) and other stakeholders in the media industry, has, no doubt opened up the State for easy flow of information.

There is no doubt that the State Government owned media establishments have faired better under the present administration in the State.

Plans have reached advanced stage by the State Government to digitalize the radio station.  When the Digitalization  process is completed, it is expected that the station will be better placed to serve the wider interests of the people of the State.

Within the last three years, the State Government has spent the sum of N8,287million to rehabilitate its radio booster stations at Otite, Egbe and Ochaja.

The State Government has always seen the need of NTA, Lokoja to provide reliable and improved services to the people of the State.  This is why the State Government undertook to build a transmitter hall, a studio, an engineering office, a blower, waiting rooms and Director’s office on Mount Patti for the VHF Channel 12 transmitter at a total cost of about N7million.

The State Government has also made significant contribution in support of the completion of NTA Stations at Anyigba, Kabba and other stations.

On the Graphic Newspaper, the State Government’s determination to ensure its viability easily explains its readiness to provide necessary facilities and other logistics to the Paper.  The State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris recently assured the management of the Paper of his determination to provide a befitting office structure and other modern printing machines for the Paper.