Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, has said that the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is leveraging strategic community engagement, inclusive governance and grassroots participation to strengthen security architecture and promote sustainable prosperity across the state.
Fanwo stated this at the Government House in Lokoja while receiving participants of the Senior Course 48 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, who are in Kogi State for the Nigeria Study Tour with the theme: “Promoting Community Engagement for Enhanced National Security and Prosperity.”
Addressing the delegation, the Commissioner described Kogi State as “the place where Nigeria started” and “the confluence of opportunities,” noting that the state remains a major cultural and historical reference point in the country.
According to him, the state is home to several national monuments and heritage sites, including the European Cemetery, Lord Lugard House, the Lord Lugard Court among others, making Kogi a symbol of Nigeria’s rich historical evolution.
Fanwo emphasized that leadership remains the foundation for peace, security and good governance, stressing that Governor Ododo’s administration is built on consultation, inclusiveness and continuous engagement with the people.
He recalled that during his first anniversary in office, Governor Ododo deliberately avoided elaborate celebrations and instead introduced the Kogi Dialogue, a platform designed to unite communities, resolve differences and strengthen social harmony across the state.
“The dialogue process has continued to mend fences, build bridges and resolve conflicts across communities, and that is why Kogi State is enjoying relative peace and harmony today,” he said.
The Commissioner further noted that Governor Ododo’s leadership style has restored stability in communities previously troubled by crises, adding that the administration has deliberately integrated young people into governance and decision-making processes as critical stakeholders in peace building.
He explained that the appointment of Ward Special Assistants across the state has significantly deepened grassroots participation and improved communication between government and local communities, helping security agencies and government respond swiftly to emerging threats.
Fanwo also disclosed that the Ministry of Information and Communications has created multiple feedback channels and public engagement platforms that allow citizens to freely express concerns and contribute to governance.
According to him, the state government has also strengthened inter-ethnic relations through programmes designed to promote unity among the diverse ethnic nationalities in the state.
The Commissioner noted that regular intelligence gathering, collaboration with communities and proactive engagement strategies have contributed immensely to curbing insecurity and improving public confidence in the state.
He added that the government places importance on the image and reputation of the state, revealing that the administration recently launched the Kogi Rebrand Project aimed at projecting the state positively and attracting greater opportunities for development and investment.
Fanwo commended the leadership of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College for choosing Kogi State as one of the focal states for the research exercise, expressing confidence that the findings of the study tour would further strengthen national conversations around community-driven security architecture and inclusive governance.
