…Outlines Events for Fresh FM 10th Anniversary
Chief Executive Officer and founder of Fresh FM Nigeria, Dr. Yinka Ayefele, has called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to thoroughly vet applicants before granting licenses to establish media houses.
Speaking at a press conference to mark the 10th anniversary of Fresh 105.9 FM, held at Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Secretariat, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Ayefele emphasized the importance of maintaining high standard in the broadcasting industry.
The Ibadan-based gospel musician and broadcaster, recounted his experience of obtaining a license, which took seven years, and attributed the success of Fresh FM to the rigorous process, urged NBC to apply the same standard to all applicants to prevent the industry from becoming porous and saturated.
“I started transmitting, then a time came that the NBC came, bombarded my office with DSS and they said Mr Ayefele, where is your licence and I said do I need a license. They said yes. It took me seven years before I was given the licence.
“Ranti Akerele started the journey. If they investigate owners of radio stations the same way I was investigated for seven years, I don’t think that most of these radio stations will exist today. I want to change the face of broadcasting”
The musician also shared his journey, from starting live streaming on Facebook to establishing Fresh FM, credited the success to his ability to manage people effectively, noting that he has not sacked any staff member in the past 10 years.
He said, “I worked at Radio Nigeria Ibadan, I was into jingle production, I bought a beetle car from the money I realised. I had a road accident on my way to Abeokuta in Ogun State in 1997 with the car. It was in the road accident I had in 1997, I know that many people know about the story, so, that was my turning point.
“It was on Facebook that I started live streaming. I started it, I started streaming and I realised that my fans outside Nigeria appreciated it. After that, I thought that I can have a radio station and that I can change the narrative and at the same time change the system of broadcasting.
“I have never sacked anyone in the last 10 years. The only one I did was that I advised the person to resign. Ajimobi was the first person to expose Fresh FM to the whole world. The day it happened, it was painful. BBC called me, CNN invited me. So, it was a blessing in disguise. Ajimobi also rebuilt the station. It was when I went to the Presidential Villa to meet former President, Goodluck Jonathan and his wife asked me what I want. I said I want a license and I want to thank them.”
The gospel musician, noted that his journey to stardom started when he bought a car, leading to his involvement in a road accident in 1997 which he described as the turning point of his life.
Dr. Ayefele expressed gratitude to those who have supported him, including the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and his predecessor, late Abiola Ajimobi.
In his address , Zonal Director, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Jude Ajayi, represented by Assistant Director of the Commission, Alhaja Sherifat Mohammed-Koro, advised radio stations to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding their operations.
“We know that broadcast stations cannot do without violating the rules. But, we encourage you to adhere to the rules. We encourage you to adhere to the rules”
In his remark, Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde, on Media Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, who described Dr. Ayefele, as talent manager, the Radio station through professionalism is reshaping radio programming not only in Oyo State but Nigeria at large.
Group General Manager, Fresh FM Nigeria, Alhaji Abolade Salami, while narrating activities outlined for the Anniversary said the 10th anniversary celebration of Fresh FM will feature various activities for ten days, including a road show, Asun night, thanksgiving, and a novelty match, culminating in a grand finale at the International Conference Center, UI, on November 2.
The event was attended by NUJ Chairman in Oyo State, Comrade Ademola Babalola, veteran journalist and broadcasters.
