By Obansa Ibrahim, Lokoja
Kogi state, leaders of thought, has commended the state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for recognizing the resourcefulness in Jimoh Yusuf Itopa and considering him for the sensitive appointment of the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the state owned newspaper, the Graphic.
Speaking during the visit of the group to the MD in his office on Wednesday, Comrade Times Ejiga, Leader of the group and one time National Vice President, Zone D, of the NUJ, expressed the joy of the leaders over Itopa’s appointment, adding that as an insider to the workings in the Graphic newspapers, he would not disappoint the governor and his colleagues in the journalism profession.
Ejiga assured the new Graphic Newspapers’ boss of the advice, collaboration and support of the members of the group to enhance his success in office.
The group of Veteran journalists, under the auspices of NUJ Leaders of Thought also charged the newly appointed Managing Director to run an all inclusive administration, adding that he must uphold and bring to bear, tenets of the Journalism profession in the discharge of his given mandate.
Another member of the team, Alhaji Kola Adeyemi, a former Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said Itopa has no reason to fail in the discharge of his new responsibility.
He said that Itopa, being an insider in the Kogi-owned media house and a thorough bred professional, had over the years garnered a lot of experience that would aid him in delivering on the mandate.
Contributing, Chief Bola Boro, a former chairman of the state council of NUJ, expressed confidence in the ability of Itopa to move the newspaper to higher heights and called on him to be more focused and determined to succeed in his assignment.
He urged the newspaper boss to seek to tap from the fountain of knowledge of the experience of his colleagues to boost his operations.
The Executive Editor of the Newspaper, Mr James Oyewole, described the CEO/MD as a man of vision, adding that his management had so far witnessed tremendous improvement in the organization in the less than two months since his assumption of office.
According to him, the new MD has within the short period acquired inverter to improve the power situation of the establishment and improved on other facility to boost the morale of the workers.
Responding Itopa thanked Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for finding him worthy for the appointment and the team for the visit and his management for their cooperation in ensuring his success so far.
The new Graphic newspaper boss solicited advice and criticism of members of the team, leaders of thought and members of the NUJ to ginger him towards greater performance.
He said, “I don’t have two heads, talk to me, walk up to me and tell me whatever your want me to know, my doors are open, I welcome all shapes of opinion. We are going to do our best.
Yusuf Jimoh Itopa, a prolific writer, seasoned Journalist and Author, Theatre Arts Graduate of the University of Ibadan (UI) was appointed as Managing Director of the Graphics Newspapers by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo in June, this year.