By Louis Yunusa
It is stating the obvious, without mincing word that he is a gifted orator, endowed with enviable power of articulation, in-depth knowledge of policies and governance issues. He is audacious and overtly intelligent, and this explains why he is never taken unaware on questions around his office and boss. He is a philosopher king, in Plato’s postulation.
Without any attempt at ego-massaging, Evangelist Kingsley Olorunfem Fanwo is a rare bred human resource every employer would guard with utmost care.
Young and visionary, he is one of the many outstanding discoveries by Governor Bello, who has helped many young men who before now were confined to obscurity to limelight by giving them the opportunity to serve in his government.
He showed mastery of his job by standing up, whenever the need arises to defend the image of the state from being smeared by those uninformed about happenings in government, and others who for mere mischief are bent on misinforming the public about the state and its people. He would straighten misconstrued or distorted issues, and this he would do without courting enmity for himself and the government.
Some of his silent admirers, fascinated and thrilled by his ebullience, oratory, dynamism and captivating presentational skills have described him as perfect incarnate of the Jerry Gana’s, Ralph Nweke Jnr… who left behind indelible footprints of outstanding performance while they held sway as ministers of information.
Having displayed uncommon passion in the discharge of the functions of his office, and laced with his rare loyalty to his boss and the top hierarchy of government functionaries, he was found worthy for reappointment as Special Adviser on Information and Communication at the twilight of the Governor’s first term.
He was first made Chief Press Secretary, and this came few hours after his inauguration on the 27th January, 2020. His appointment was one of the first by the Governor. For the period he held sway in that office, prior to his elevation to Director General, Media and Publicity, Fanwo had proved his mettle and worth that he is a workaholic and diligent gentleman with admirable measure of excellence.
Fanwo would go down history as one man who had straddled the entire media and information spaces in government in the state, and now his many of years of faithful service was this time rewarded by Governor Bello who has appointed him Commissioner of the upgraded Information and Communication ministry.
With this appointment, Fanwo has once again found himself on a familiar turf. This time with a ministry under his watch. It is not surprising how he wasted no time before rolling his sleeves, settling down for work. He abhors failure and has a magic wand of making the best of every situation wherever he finds himself.
Like a man oblivious of the challenges confronting his new ministry, he showed the poise to reposition it for optimal performance, and the first sign that heralds that a new dawn had come for the ministry was the visit of the Commissioner to parastatals under the ministry.
It was crystal clear that an information giant has ascended the saddle, and expectedly, the narrative is changing gradually. Life is fast returning to the ministry and its parastatals, especially those with records of under-performance, sometime not in the circumstance of their own making.
In line with the guiding principles of the government which is predicated on transparency, unity and inclusiveness, he is conscious of the role the ministry would play in translating these ideals to meaningful gains for the people.
Through the ministry, government intend to communicate its policies and programmes to the people, including those in the remotest parts of the state.
The administration is keen on ensuring effective engagement with the citizens and this is in appreciation of the critical stake the people holds in the process of governance.
Aware that the burden of helping to bridge the information gap between the people and government to a large extent rest on his chest, he set out to ensuring the ministry is better repositioned to play this role more satisfactorily, mainly through the radio and the newspaper, The Graphic.
Having being provided with alluring office accommodation by Governor Bello after decades in a rusty office, The Graphic is breaking new grounds by ensuring it goes full blast into digital journalism. To begin with, it has evolved a strong online presence and this it has also spiced with an online Television.
This is coming in response to a charge by the Commissioner who prevailed on the management to revive the online platforms of the newspaper to enable it meet up with the prevailing standard in modern media.
Away from the newspaper, the Commissioner has undertaken a painful tour of all booster radio stations across the state. From Otite to Egbe and Ochaja, he saw for himself their true conditions, strengths and weaknesses.
Already acquainted with the challenges of these radio stations, he has promised to turn them around for optimal services, in view of the enormous sentiments rural residents attaches to these broadcast stations.
Hope is now rising for the ministry and its parastatals, as things unfolds that its days of glories have now come when they would take active part in disseminating information about government programmes and activities to the people and as well help balance the relationship by ensuring a feedback.
