By Nnasom David

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has approved the appointment of Oputa Ebipade Okoh-Vida—widely known as Kokome—as his new Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media, marking a significant elevation from her previous role as Special Assistant on Protocol.

The appointment, confirmed on Monday, follows what government insiders describe as a year of “high-impact innovation” in how the state’s developmental strides were communicated to the public.

Kokome, who served in the protocol office between 2024 and June 2025, is credited with transforming the state’s approach to public engagement through digital storytelling, trend-driven content, and a distinctive personal brand that resonated with younger audiences.

From Protocol Desk to Digital Strategy
Although assigned to protocol duties, Kokome emerged as a key voice in documenting and projecting the Oborevwori administration’s MORE agenda—an acronym for Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, and Enhanced peace and security.

Her unconventional media approach—combining short-form video content, social storytelling, and real-time policy updates—earned her recognition across the state’s digital and political landscape.

Signature Projects and Media Reforms
Among her notable initiatives is “Out For MORE”, a documentary-style content series that followed the Governor across project sites and community engagements, offering residents a front-row seat to government activities. The series was praised for its accessibility, informal tone, and visual appeal.

She also conceptualised and launched the Ukodo Series, an animated platform that blends cultural expression with political commentary. Through this series, state policies and events were reimagined as cartoon strips, reaching audiences previously untouched by traditional government communications.

Recognition and Media Shift
Kokome’s growing influence in state media circles has been described by observers as a catalyst for a broader shift in Delta’s media ecosystem. Several government aides and agencies have reportedly begun experimenting with storytelling and content strategy models inspired by her work.

“She brought governance closer to the people,” said a senior official in the Governor’s office who asked not to be named. “There’s now a deliberate effort to move beyond routine reportage to more engaging, story-led communication—and a lot of that began with Kokome.”

Her personal media handle, @theKokomeOkoh, became a reference point for trend-driven government content—frequently blending humour, culture, and concise updates to foster digital engagement.

A Growing Profile
Her appointment as SSA Media is seen as both a reward for performance and a signal of the administration’s evolving media strategy ahead of the next political cycle.

“She showed that governance content doesn’t have to be dull or inaccessible,” said a media consultant familiar with her work. “What she’s done is humanise policy and put a face to development.”

As she assumes her new role, Kokome is expected to lead efforts to institutionalise content strategy, expand digital reach, and deepen citizen engagement on the Governor’s policies and programmes.

The Delta State Government has not released an official statement on her specific mandate, but sources within the media unit confirm she will work closely with the information ministry, new media units, and public affairs teams.