Ibadan now has many radio stations. At the last count, it has about 25 F.M radio stations with about 5 new FM Stations coming soon. Many of them have indigenous broadcasters presenting programmes for them and these gentlemen and ladies anchor very many interesting programmes in rich and deep Yoruba language. While some present their own personal programmes as Independent producers, some others are
They are called Sorosoro in Yoruba language and many of them are members of FIBAN. Many radio station owners have come to realise that it is because of them that many listeners stay tuned to their radio stations.
Their individual programmes have helped made popular the various radio stations like Yinka Ayefele’s Fresh FM, Chief Akande’s Splash FM, Lagelu FM, Inspiration FM, Space FM, IBR Ibadan, Business Radio FM, Amuludun FM (owned by Radio Nigeria), Premier FM (owned by Radio Nigeria) and Oluyole FM.
There are others like 32 FM, Beat FM, Naija FM, Petals FM (owned by Afenifere Chieftain Yinka Odumakin), Jamz FM (owned by Femi Sowoolu) Lead City FM (for the youths) and Diamond FM (a community radio).
Because of the large followership that these Yoruba broadcasters attract, many radio stations usually go poaching them. So you are most likely to find one popular broadcaster moving from one radio station to another. For instance, over the last few years, there have been movements from Splash FM to Fresh FM.
Who are these broadcasters who have built a cult followership in the industry in Ibadan? Although, many of them are not Ibadan indigenes they reside in Ibadan and they have been there for years.
One of them is ebony complexioned Yemi Sonde. Blessed with a sonorous voice Yemi who is a brilliant fellow presents a popular programme on Splash FM called YS Live. Its a magazine show that treats different issues from current affairs, personality interviews. The programme comes up on Tuesday between 10 am to 12 noon.
Years back, he used to present Miliki Express on BCOS for 22 years, usually between 8 pm to 9 pm. He also once handled Ema Bubble on BCOS from 8 pm to 9 pm. This is his 29th year in the broadcasting industry. He started in 1989 at the age of 29. He learnt under the late ace broadcaster Toba Opaleye.
It was this late broadcaster that trained Yemi Sonde and groomed him to be what he has turned out to be today. He first had his programme on OGBC before he moved to BCOS many years back where he spent 22 years presenting programmes. Interestingly, he studied Forestry at the University of Ibadan. And it was from Forestry he moved to Broadcasting. He is well read. He has a Masters in Communication and Language Arts. He has another Masters in Project Development and Implementation from the same university. He also has a Post Graduate degree in Entrepreneurship and a Professional Basic Certificate in Production from Radio Nigeria Training School. He is in partnership with the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission to form the NBC-Yemi Sonde Broadcast Forum. It’s in its 6th year. He is the only independent producer that NBC has partnered with. He believes in building Human Capacity.
There is also Alhaji Kola Olotu. He is well respected. He is a veteran broadcaster. He speaks Yoruba so well. He is blessed with a sweet voice. He presents Oselenkejo, a popular programme on Lagelu FM on Wednesdays from 10 am to 12 noon. It is an entertainment programme that has a bit of chat, in it and dwells a bit into Iriri Aiye. He has been into broadcasting for about 30 years. Over the years, this tall man has become a big brand in the broadcast industry. He has a very huge followership.
There is also Abolade Salami. He presents a programme ORO SUNUKUN on Fresh FM on Tuesday 11 am to 12 noon. He used to be a permanent staff of Radio Nigeria before he retired. He is a veteran broadcaster.
Waheed Akintayo is another popular radio presenter on Fresh FM. He has a popular name, Ilumoka. He presents his programme every Monday
And on Tuesdays also on Fresh FM is the duo of Enitan Bamidele and Yinka Ayefele (the owner of Fresh FM). Many don’t know Ayefele started his career as a Broadcaster. If Enitan can be said to be popular, Yinka Ayefele is famous. He is multi-talented. He is the King of Tungba Music. He is a Gospel singer and ace broadcaster. He is also a valued member of the Sorosoro fraternity. Between 5 pm to 7 pm every Tuesday both of them present a popular Yoruba programme Lets Talk About It.
Also on Fresh FM on Wednesdays, between 10 am – 12 noon.
On Fridays, 11am to 12 noon on Fresh FM Akinkunmi Alabi presents Oyato and on Saturdays between 5pm to 6pm Jagunmade PAJ 1, a very popular presenter holds his listneres spell bound.
On Oluyole FM is Ola Fijabi. He was formerly of BCOS FM. Ola Fijabi does Miliki Express on Mondays 8 pm to 9 pm. And on Saturdays on Oluyole FM between 8 pm to 9
On Splash FM is Kunle Anifowose. He presents Faaji BamBam from 7 pm to 8 pm. On Lagelu FM from
Also on Splash FM is Kola Ladoke who presents his popular programme Oro-tonlo between 7 pm to 8 pm on Thursdays. It is a political/current affairs programme. There is also Aroba which he presents on Tuesday night 7-8pm.
Amuludun FM is a Radio Nigeria programme. On that station, Imoyosola Adetoro presents Iseju Kan on Thursdays 10 am to 11 am. On BCOS’ Oluyole FM, Lere Shittu presents Ololufe from 8 pm to 9 pm.
Some of them also present Sports programmes. On Fresh FM is Babatunde Saheed popularly called Mr Sports. He presents a popular programme Lori Papa between 12-1 pm.
Also every day between 12noon to 1 pm on Splash FM, Olawale Hamzat presents a sports programme called TA LOTA. On Amuludu FM is Ayegbajeje. It comes on air every Sunday 8 am to 9 am. Space FM owned Otunba Deji Osibogun also has a vibrant sports programme.
Apart from Sports, there is the Newspaper review segment on all the stations. This takes place in the morning belt, and the appealing way the presenters present it makes listeners stay tuned to it. On the newspaper review segment of Splash FM is Kola Ladoke and Titilayo. It’s called Tifuntedo.
On Inspiration FM’s newspaper review is Abdulrasaq Abdulganiu. It runs from 8 am to 9 am
What has helped all these presenters is the pioneering work of older broadcasters who set the pace for them. Many of them are retired. These are broadcasters like Baba Yemi Ogunyemi of NTA, Baba Banji Ojo, Adebayo Sanda, Yemi Adeyemi (Oniroyin OGBC), Biodun Sanda, Anike Agbaje-Williams, late Baba Adebayo Faleti, late Toba Opaleye, late Gbenga Adeboye, late Kolawole Olawuyi, Alhaja Tunrayo Adeoye, Mama Yeyeluwa Ibiye Ajadi on Sweet FM, Abeokuta and Paramount FM, late Segun Durodola, Baba Tomori, Dele Tomori (Omo Iya Sango, late Funmi Akinbiyi (BCOS), Funmi Ibiyode and many more.
Why are many Yoruba broadcasters based in Ibadan? Its because Ibadan was the genesis of Broadcasting in Nigeria. We can reveal authoritatively that many early broadcasters started their careers from Ibadan.
So, Ibadan is like the home of broadcasters in Nigeria. Ibadan is a traditional city. Because many of the presenters value our culture they took up broadcasting. And it is also because a lot of Yoruba programmes thrive in Ibadan.
Those who live in Ibadan appreciate them a lot. Thats why Ibadan has a lot of traditional Yoruba presenters. Recall that the old WNBC, WNBS started off in Ibadan.
City People gathered that many foremost broadcasters started off from Ibadan like Tubosun Oladapo. He is now an old man but still in active service.
Supo Kosemani was very great in his lifetime. There was also Banji Ojo of BCOS fame, late Dapo Aderogba, Yemisi Agunbiade, Alhaji Jare Sobaloju, Baba Akinsanyinu, Alhaji Busari, late Alhaji Ariyayo Azeez who died recently.
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