By Friday Idachaba
IN a groundbreaking move, Kogi State Government has launched a cutting-edge media monitoring and evaluation system that enables real-time tracking of on-line and off-line coverage of government activities, as well as news stories about Kogi State.
Ismail Isa, Special Adviser to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo on Media, disclosed this on Monday while conducting State Executive Council members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) round the new Media Centre in Government House, Lokoja.
Isa maintained that this comprehensive approach ensures that every story, regardless of its focus, is captured and valued.
According to him, the monitoring system’s reports are presented daily, weekly and monthly to provide invaluable insights from coverage of the Government, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“We have a robust team that has a network where they monitor and track. Every day we deliver a dashboard, on weekly basis, we do another dashboard and on monthly basis, we calibrate and present this report, which is real value for money.
Isa expressed optimistic that the innovative approach would foster a culture of appreciation, recognizing the significance of media professionals’ contributions to the state’s narrative.
He revealed that in a remarkable display of forward thinking, the system also captures competitive reports about other states, inspiring Kogi State to explore new opportunities and stay ahead in its development endeavors.
“Very interestingly, we also capture competitive reports about other states and use that to inspire our principal to see that this is what the other states are doing”, he explained.
Our Correspondent reports that the trailblazing initiative which is quite novel, solidifies Kogi State’s position as a leader in innovative governance and media engagement, setting a new standard for states across Nigeria.
In a related development, the State Government has set up an innovative Media platform called Lugard TV, an on-line audiovisual channel aimed at amplifying the state’s communication efforts.
This pioneering initiative, spearheaded by the Special Adviser, Ismail Isa, enables the government to reach citizens directly, complementing the support of traditional media practitioners.
According to the Special Adviser, Lugard TV is poised to become a building block for the eventual launch of a state-owned television station, a milestone that will further feather Kogi information nest.
Isa who is also a media Consultant and Public Relations practitioner said he had always looked forward to such an opportunity of “working in this kind of space”, to create a property like a media platform for the government to reach people on its own.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of Kogi Council of the NUJ, Comrade Ademu Seidu Haruna commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for appointing an informed and versatile professional in the person of Ismail Isa as his SA on Media.
The chairman who pointed out that no administration so far had such a harmonious working relationship with the media professionals in the state as he urged him to continue steer the statecraft aright.
He congratulated the governor over his Supreme Court victory adding that having come out clean from the litigations arising from his election, the stage is now set for him to focus on delivery of good governance devoid of distractions. (Ends)