Kogi journalists seek upgrade of LugardTV to state-owned station

Media practitioners in Kogi State have called on the state government to upgrade LugardTV, currently operating from the Government House in Lokoja as an online television into a full-fledged state-owned television station.

The call was made during the Open Week marking LugardTV’s first anniversary at the Government House Media Centre.

Veteran journalist and former Head of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kogi State, Kola Adeyemi, who is also a member of the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Kogi State Council, led the call.

He commended the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Hon. Ismaila Isah, for his pivotal role in establishing and managing the TV outfit, noting that LugardTV has emerged as a major force in the nation’s media landscape, particularly for its comprehensive coverage of activities of the Kogi state government.

Adeyemi emphasized the necessity for government to upgrade the station’s status to enable it to reach a wider audience and effectively promote the positive developments in the date under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Similarly, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Alhaji Ademu Seidu represented by the Vice Chairman, Ibrahim Obansa praised the team for their dedication as well as LugardTV’s critical role in telling the story of Kogi State while providing a platform for young journalists to grow and thrive.

He noted that an upgrade would further support these efforts and contribute to the state’s overall development.

Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, Segun Salami described the facilities and progress of LugardTV as “fantastic” and advised management not to rest on their achievements.

“You see, I just told him inside that he started on a good note and the advice I give now is that he should build on what he has started. The media outfit should be more focused and not relax because of the heights they have attained. They should be focused on more news because that is where people want to hear them speak,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Federated Chapel, Mr. Michael Abu, lauded the capacity and competence of the Special Adviser on Media in steering the station and pledged the chapel’s support for LugardTV’s continued success.

He urged the management and staff to maintain their dedication to delivering reliable news and information, especially in promoting policies and programmes of the Kogi state government

Chairperson, Nigeria Association Of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), Stella Edoka also commended the platform for its achievements within one year, describing it as a proud asset to the media community in Kogi State.

Edoka pledged support on behalf of NAWOJ to help promote LugardTV’s activities and prayed for the station’s growth and sustainability.

Responding, the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah, thanked the journalists for their encouragement and reaffirmed the station’s commitment to being the voice of the people of Kogi State.

Isah emphasized that he will continue to rely on the collaboration of journalists across Kogi state and beyond to always tell the story better in view of their experience and reach of their respective media platforms.

The Open Week celebration by LugardTV continues with live broadcasts and public engagements aimed at bringing the station closer to its audience as it marks one year of public service broadcasting.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE