Fresh FM founder urges NBC to vet applicants thoroughly
By Adewale Owoade
Dr. Yinka Ayefele, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh FM Nigeria, has urged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to thoroughly vet applicants before granting broadcasting licences.
He said this was necessary to maintain professionalism and high standards in the industry.
Ayefele made the call at a press conference to mark the 10th anniversary of Fresh 105.9 FM, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
“I started transmitting, then a time came that the NBC came, they bombarded my office with DSS and they said Mr Ayefele, where is your licence and I said do I need a licence. 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. My vision is to change the face of broadcasting,” he said.
Ayefele expressed gratitude to those who have supported him, including Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his predecessor, late Abiola Ajimobi.
“We have different people in the industry. I have over 400 staffers and I never owe them salary. I prefer impacting lives and building people,” he said.
In his address, the Zonal Director of NBC, Jude Ajayi, represented by the Assistant Director, Alhaja Sherifat Mohammed-Koro, charged Fresh FM to continue its good work.
“We know that broadcast stations cannot do without violating the rules. But, we encourage you to adhere to the rules,” she said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Gov. Makinde on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, described Ayefele as a talent manager whose professionalism is reshaping radio programming in Oyo State and Nigeria.
The Group General Manager of Fresh FM Nigeria, Alhaji Abolade Salami, said the 10th anniversary celebration features various activities for 10 days, including a road show, Asun Night, Thanksgiving and a novelty match, culminating in a grand finale at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, on Nov. 2.
The event was attended by the NUJ Chairman in Oyo State, Comrade Ademola Babalola, veteran journalists and broadcasters.
Ayefele previously worked as a broadcast journalist and producer with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ibadan.
His life took a dramatic turn on Dec. 12, 1997, when he was involved in a severe car accident that left him with spinal cord injuries and confined to a wheelchair.
(NAN)
