In a major move upon resumption as the Governor of Kogi state, His Excellency, Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo of Kogi state appointed seasoned professionals in key places. And part of it was the appointment of Ismail Isah, a seasoned journalist who has worked with top communication firms both locally and internationally as Special Adviser on Media.
Ismail Isah has previously had a stint in government during the administration of former Governor, Captain Idris Ichala Wada.
In the past, there were gaps in the management of information which necessitated naysayers of the past administration to fill the information gap with lies, fake news, and hate speeches.
The immediate past Governor, Yahaya Bello wasn’t as lucky as the Governor Ododo to have such a brilliant image maker, like Ismail Isah leading his administration communication engine room.
Making a significant achievements and successes in fighting fake news, Ismail didn’t wait for those that intend to assume the role of staunch critics of the government to think as he provides timely, adequate and correct information on the day to day activities of his principal to journalists across Nigeria due to his large network in the media industry.
Though his principal, Usman Ahmed Ododo has made his job much easier in the state, you hardly hear complaints from any quarter in the state due to the various thought-out people’s oriented policies and programmes that are impacting the common people in the state for good.
In his initiative, he launched Lugard’s TV, which is domiciled in government house, to directly report first hand information to Kogi indigenes; this is an initiative that is first of its kind in the history of the state. Upon inspection, the Governor was full of praise for Ismail for the good job he was doing.
Recently, someone jokingly asked me that he has not been receiving press statement from Kogi state, i told him to check his email if it’s still active, because Ismail will not allow unpatriotic people to fill any gap in information.
Before now, we have had several Commissioners, SSAs, Chief press Secretaries, all on information to one administration but yet, citizens of the state lacked quality information about the same government in the state. But today, Governor Ododo is using one stone to kill two birds, only Ismail runs around the Governor to get the job done.
For journalists who processed his press statements, their job has been made easier as they do not have to ‘crack their brain’ to get the job done as they all acknowledge the fact that releases are accurate, timely with zero ambiguity in his choices of words.
This communication expert and speech writer who has made his mark in the industry with his vast experience in both government and private sector once told me he will not rest on his oars in providing quality information at all time to the good people of the state about the government of his principal.
He is doing all of these at a time where governments at various segments are sacking their information managers due to inadequate communication to people. By the time the life of this government is expiring, he would have secured for himself another great opportunity to serve.
Mohammed Bilal Omeiza Abubakar, a public commentator and analyst writes from Abuja.
