By Suleiman Abdulmumin
Hon. Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser on Media to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Tuesday hosted media practitioners and influencers at the Glass House, Lokoja, as part of activities marking the first anniversary of LugardTV.
Mr. Isah took the visitors on a guided tour of the Government House Media Centre, home to LugardTV showcasing its production room, newsroom, video editing suite, and social media hub. The facility serves as a nerve centre for projecting the activities of Governor Ododo’s administration and has been credited with redefining public service broadcasting in Kogi State.
Launched in July 2024, LugardTV has produced nearly 1,000 original programs spanning health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, security, and youth and women empowerment. The platform, described by Isah as “a bridge between the government and the people,” leverages real-time digital coverage, compelling human-interest storytelling, and solutions journalism to deepen public engagement.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, LugardTV hosted a community outreach on July 18, followed by a novelty football match between “Team Ododo” and “Team Kogi All Stars.” The Open House ran from August 11–15, offering the public behind-the-scenes access; staff bonding and role-reversal events took place on August 16. The grand finale on August 21 will feature a high-level panel on media entrepreneurship, the premiere of a one-year documentary, unveiling of new programming, and an awards ceremony honoring contributors to Kogi’s development.
Journalists from across the state, including members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel, commended the SA Media for setting a new standard in government media operations. They pledged to continue projecting the achievements of Governor Ododo’s administration, highlighting the role of the media in strengthening governance and public trust. The NUJ Correspondents Chapel Chairman described the facility as “a state-of-the-art innovation that will boost the flow of credible information to the public” and promised full media support.
In response, Mr. Isah expressed appreciation to the journalists for their consistent partnership and contributions toward promoting accurate reporting of the state government’s programs and policies, noting that the media remains a vital partner in driving development.