Kogi hands over Okene Radio House project, targets wider broadcast reach

By Florence Kalu

The Kogi State Government has handed over the site for the construction of a new Radio Kogi station in Okene to contractor Widerview Ltd, in a move aimed at strengthening broadcasting infrastructure and expanding the station’s reach across the state.

The project, located at Okeneba in Okene Local Government Area, is part of the government’s broader plan to reposition the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation (KSBC) and improve its capacity to disseminate information to residents across the state and beyond.

The development follows the State Executive Council’s approval of measures to upgrade the Corporation’s infrastructure and broadcasting capacity, including projects at its Okene and Ochaja stations.

The site was formally handed over by the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Taiye Abanika; Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo; and Director-General of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Princess Nana Awa Yusuf.

Speaking at the ceremony, Abanika described the project as another step in the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s efforts to provide infrastructure across sectors of the state.

He said the development of broadcasting infrastructure was particularly important because of the role of information in driving development and connecting government with the people.

According to him, broadcasters require a conducive and befitting environment to effectively disseminate information to residents across the state, including communities in remote areas.

Abanika said the state government had approved the construction of the Radio House in Okene and entrusted his ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communications, with the responsibility of handing over the site to the contractor.

He described the ceremony as a significant milestone in the administration’s efforts to ensure that no sector was left behind in its infrastructure development programme.

The commissioner said the new facility would provide an appropriate environment for Radio Kogi to strengthen its operations and expand its reach.

Also speaking, Fanwo described the project as a major turning point for Radio Kogi’s operations in Okene.

He explained that the existing station had operated for decades from a location that posed challenges to effective transmission, making the development of a new facility necessary.

Fanwo said the Ododo administration had responded to the challenge by providing a new and more suitable location for the station.

He formally handed over the project site to Widerview Ltd on behalf of the state government and expressed appreciation to Governor Ododo for approving the project and supporting efforts to improve the infrastructure underpinning information dissemination across Kogi.

Fanwo said the new facility would strengthen Radio Kogi’s ability to reach more residents and provide timely and effective access to information.

He stressed the importance of a stronger broadcasting infrastructure to the state’s communication efforts, particularly in ensuring that government information and other relevant public-interest content reach communities across Kogi.

The handover marks the commencement of the construction phase of the Okene Radio House project, which the state government expects to contribute to the repositioning of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation and the expansion of Radio Kogi’s operational reach.