Kogi Govt Hands Over Okene Radio Station Project To Contractor

The Kogi State Government has taken a major step towards repositioning the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation and expanding the reach of Radio Kogi with the formal handover of the site for the construction of a new radio station building at Okeneba, Okene Local Government Area.

The project, which is being handled by Widerview Ltd, is part of the state government’s broader effort to strengthen broadcasting infrastructure and improve information dissemination across Kogi State.

The handover ceremony was performed by the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Taiye Abanika; Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo; and the Director-General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Princess Nana Awa Yusuf. The development follows the State Executive Council’s approval of measures to improve the corporation’s infrastructure and broadcasting capacity, including projects relating to its Okene and Ochaja stations.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Abanika said the project was a demonstration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s commitment to touching every sector of the state and creating infrastructure that will directly benefit the people. He described information as a critical component of development, stressing the importance of providing broadcasters with a befitting and serene environment from which information can be effectively disseminated to residents across the nooks and crannies of Kogi State, as well as to audiences beyond the state.

Abanika said the government had graciously approved the construction of the Radio House at Okene and entrusted his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communications, with the responsibility of formally handing over the site to the contractor. He described the ceremony as another significant milestone in the administration’s drive to ensure that no sector is left behind, adding that the new facility will provide an appropriate platform for Radio Kogi to strengthen its operations and expand its reach.

On his part, Hon. Fanwo described the project as a major turning point in the history of Radio Kogi’s operations in Okene. Fanwo explained that the existing facility had operated for decades from a location that presented challenges to effective transmission, noting that the administration of Governor Ododo had now taken decisive steps to change the situation by providing a new and more suitable location for the station.

Fanwo, who formally handed over the site to Widerview Ltd on behalf of the state government, expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for approving the project and for his commitment to improving the infrastructure supporting information dissemination in the state. He said the new facility will strengthen the ability of Radio Kogi to reach more people and provide the public with timely and effective access to information.

The state consultant, Engr. Kabir, said the Okeneba location was carefully selected because of its elevated terrain, which he explained is suitable for a broadcast facility capable of reaching communities across the state and the central region. He noted that the rocky nature of the terrain would require significant technical input during construction, assuring that the consulting team would work closely with the contractor to ensure compliance with the approved design, specifications and bill of quantities, while ensuring value for every naira invested by the state government.

The Director-General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Princess Nana Awa Yusuf, described the development as a landmark moment for the corporation and expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for approving not only the construction of the Okene station but also the renovation and branding of the corporation’s headquarters in Lokoja. She also commended Commissioner Fanwo for his persistence in pursuing the project, while urging youths and residents of Okeneba and Okene Central to protect the facility and support its successful completion. She said the new structure will enable the corporation to enlarge its scope of information dissemination and serve the people more effectively.

Representing Widerview Ltd, the project architect, Jonathan Bulus, assured the state government that the company would deliver a standard project while maintaining professional integrity and quality. He disclosed that the project is expected to be completed within 16 weeks, although the rocky nature of the site could present some construction challenges. Bulus said the company would work to maintain the agreed timeline and pledged to collaborate with the host community, particularly its youths, throughout the construction process.

The community leader and representative of the youths, Malam Yahaya Bello, expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo and the Kogi State Government for approving the project, describing the development as a source of excitement for the Okeneba community. He pledged the community’s cooperation with the contractor and assured the government that residents and youths would protect the facility, while urging the contractor to maintain regular communication with the community whenever assistance is required.