By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Government House, Lokoja
May 12, 2026.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, has said that the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is leveraging strategic community engagement, inclusive governance and grassroots participation to strengthen security and foster sustainable prosperity across the state.
Fanwo made the remarks at the Government House in Lokoja while receiving participants of Senior Course 48 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji who are in Kogi State for the Nigeria Study Tour with the theme: “Promoting Community Engagement for Enhanced National Security and Prosperity.”
Kogi State is among the seven states selected nationwide for the strategic research tour aimed at assessing how community engagement mechanisms are being deployed to improve national security and development outcomes.
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“the place where Nigeria started” and “the confluence of opportunities,” noting that the state remains a cultural and historical reference point in Nigeria.
According to him, Kogi is home to several national monuments and heritage sites including the European Cemetery, the historic Lord Lugard House and the Lord Lugard Court, the Inikpi statue in Idaho, making the state 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 was built on consultation, inclusiveness and constant engagement with the people.
He recalled that during 
his first anniversary in office, Governor Ododo deliberately avoided elaborate celebrations and instead initiated 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 stated 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, thereby helping security agencies and the 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 their concerns and contribute to governance.
According to him, the state government has equally strengthened inter-ethnic relations through programmes designed to promote unity among the diverse ethnic nationalities in the state.
The Commissioner noted that frequent 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 premium 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.
