……Akure, Ondo monarchs, Religious leaders, others bless new media outfit.
By: Promise Adagba
It was with full joy and enthusiasm when prominent traditional rulers and religious leaders led the commissioning of a new Radio Station, GLOW 99.1 FM in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Wednesday 21st February, 2024.
The media outfit is located at No. 1, Effon Alaye Street (Former Gani Fawehinmi building), Ijapo Estate, Akure.
During the commissioning, the Chairman and founder of the organization, Dr Ezekiel Kayode Akande made it known that the inspiration behind the establishment of the radio organization is to give a voice to the people.
According to him, the radio is set to empower youths and enable them to be self reliance.
“What prompted the business is through inspiration, I made it my ministry to empower young people, because young people are 70% of this country population, some people cannot even get a Job, some are hopeless, rejected, they do not know what to do with their lives.
“I remember many years ago when I am done with high school, we get a job easily but now even with a degree, there is no hope, the radio is to empower youths, to enable them to be self reliance, not to rely on government.
“Because government can fail them, and that is what we are about to educate the youths on, to ask them to challenge themselves, to go deep and be independent as a thinker, and that is what we would be spreading on this radio is not just entertainment, it would be a talk on radio that would wake youths up, that my mission,” Dr Akande affirmed.
When asked if the station would cope amidst saturated market, the Chairman noted that the organization is well equipped with experienced professionals, thus it would become a success.
“We are confident even if we have a saturated market, we have experienced people in the broadcasting who are very creative, we have people who own their world, we are happy to have them, we do not want to do things the way it has been done before, we have talents all over the country from Osun, Lagos and other states that would work with us.
“My unique selling point is waking people up, I want to be the voice of the voiceless, I am from Akoko north west where majority do not have a voice, not Akoko alone, it all over the country, people who do not have a voice, people are being ignorant, we want to enlighten them, I am also doing this to be able to walk the street, I want God to make it a success,” he added.
The Anesthesiologist also continued that the radio is not just on profit but a ministry he has longed for.
“The radio is not just being about profit, if it is about profit, I would not establish it in the first instance, I would keep my money in the bank and enjoy, this is an institution, this has been ringing in my head,” Dr Akande said.
During the official opening ceremony, Dr. Gbenga Abimbola, the Head of Mass Communications Department, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko and seasoned journalist, while speaking, said there is a need for the station to survive in the present economic challenges.
He advised that the radio should give the public whatever they requested for at all times.
“Give the public what they want because they are the major audience, not the politicians, radio is very good because of its simplicity, everyone can listen to it.
“There should be an editorial Independence, allow your audience to own decision, you have to be the voice of the people,” he said.
Dedicating the project, the founder of the Prayer Church of God, Prophet Samson Oluwamodede, pointed that the development would move Ondo state forward.
“This development is a fantastic one, it would bring success to the state, I have been to many Radio station but this is unique, there is a difference in terms of equipments.
“My advice to the staff is for them to take this project as their own, as they do that, the company would move forward.
I would also be one of those who would partner with the station, I must contribute my own quota,” he promised.
Notable personalities at the station commissioning, were the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade; the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; Founder of Prayer Center Church of God, Prophet Samson Oluwamodede; Chief Imam of Akure, Sheikh AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede; media professionals among other eminent personalities.
