Forget sentiments; the people of Kogi East hold the ace not just in governance but also in information management – this is empirical and measurable. Former Governor Yahaya Bello’s government was in disarray in the first four years, with information badly managed. So battered was his government that he became the butt of endless jokes. His media manager, Petra Akinti Oyegbule, made a mess of Bello until the brain box of the new direction cabinet, Chief Edward Onoja, scouted and discovered Onogwu Muhammed Galaticus. With the help of others like Atuluku Victor Levi, Haruspice, Kogi Rebel, and Omera, Yahaya Bello, his very battered image was changed for the better. It was the combined efforts of these Kogi East Media gurus that changed people’s perceptions about Yahaya Bello. It was the new carved image that catapulted him to national limelight to the point of vying for the presidential slot.
Tragically, with Bello out of government officially, even though many believe he is still the one in charge of the Lugard House, there is a missing link. Ododo’s government is bleeding; his base is shaky, and his public image is nose-diving because of the absence of a media manager.
His hire of Oladele Nihi was a disaster from inception; the dude couldn’t even understand his portfolio – writing press releases, which is the simplest but most conspicuous task, was a mirage. At one point, one wondered if he was reporting on Ododo or himself!
Respite came when Ododo and his handlers saw the mess with Nihi and quickly redeployed him to head the student wing of governance. Even though not yet uhuru, at least, Ododo not having a CPS appears better than the calamity called Nihi.
Even with the SA media, Ismail Isah, in the saddle, nothing seems to jive well for Ododo.
Again, what is Ododo waiting for when he has tested hands from Kogi East? Why has Bello held tight to Galaticus, who did a yeoman’s job for the government? From all avoidable doubts, Galaticus was a brainer in managing Bello’s media affairs; he should be drafted to Ododo’s cabinet to continue his media exploits. When you are good, you are good; let Ododo and his handlers put aside ethnic biases and look towards the East where the best media handlers abound.
Why should there be a Galaticus, a Kogi Rebel, and others, and there is still a void in the media and communication department of Ododo? Let Ododo act now to avoid further catastrophe, for a shaky government needs a good, formidable media and communication team.
*Okpanachi Ikani, a lokoja based good governance advocate.*
