Kogi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the media to promote good governance and accountability in the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, made this declaration during the 2025 Press Week celebration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kogi, council, on Thursday in Lokoja.
Fanwo emphasised that the administration of Gov. Ahmed Ododo recognised the media as a critical partner in governance and is committed to providing an enabling environment for press freedom.
He noted that the partnership between the government and the media has been instrumental in communicating government policies, programmes, and achievements to the people.
The commissioner commended the NUJ for its resilience, professionalism, and commitment to nation-building for the benefits of the populace.
He urged journalists to continue to hold the government accountable in ways that are fair, factual, and solution-driven.
He also charged journalists to see their profession as a calling that demands courage, sacrifice, and an unflinching commitment to the truth.
Fanwo assured that the government would continue to provide an enabling environment for press freedom, because democracy cannot thrive without it.
He urged journalists to join the government on a tour of some of the projects the administration is working hard to deliver to the people, starting from Monday.
The Commissioner also conveyed the Governor’s message to the media, urging them to rise up in support of President Bola Tinubu, who has put the people first through reforms that have returned economic powers to the people.
He noted that the administration is already seeing the fruits of the President’s courageous decisions.
The National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, acknowledged the critical role journalists play in shaping the narrative on solid mineral development in Kogi State.
Yahaya, represented by Comrade Adeiza Momohjimoh, Vice President NUJ North Central, urged members to uphold the highest standards of journalism, promote truth, and advocate for the welfare of citizens.
He emphasised the need for journalists to amplify marginalized voices, expose injustices, and celebrate successes in the state’s development journey.
The NUJ boss also congratulated award recipients on their achievements and encouraged them to see the recognition as a call to greater service.
He stressed that the occasion provided a platform for reflection, knowledge sharing, and networking among journalists and stakeholders in the solid mineral development sector.
The Ohimegye Igu of Kotonkarfe Kingdom, Dr. Akawu Salihu, the royal father of the day, emphasised the importance of collaboration between the government and the media in promoting policies and programmes.
The royal father also advocated for the removal of unqualified journalists who disregard professional ethics, urging the NUJ to take the lead in sanitizing the profession and eliminating quacks.
