and Premier FM. Oluyole FM was known as Radio O.Y.O. 2 until 2009...
Shortly after Splash 105.5FM began to enjoy the monopoly of being the premier private radio station, Space 90.1 FM joined the league. It is the first tri-lingual radio station in Nigeria owned by Otunba Deji Osibogun, an Ijebu chief. Others are Vintage 93.7 FM, Soul 95.7 FM, Correct 99.5 FM, YES 101.7 FM, Medal 99.9FM, IITA Radio 88.5FM, Wells 89.3 FM, Ilaji 91.9 FM, Almond 94.3 FM, Iri 96.1 FM, Pep 100.3FM, Melody 100.7 FM, JND101.5 FM, Reiz 101.9 FM, Tiwantiwa Radio 106.5 FM, Adamimogo 105.1 FM, I-flier 103.3 FM, and so on.Scholars, veterans, practitioners and investors in the media landscape attribute the development to the huge population, proximity to Lagos, historical importance of Ibadan and a host of other reasons.
The former anchor with Channels Television and pioneer Head of Impact Africa Television , said: “As a professional, trainer, scholar and investor in the media, I am aware that in the Southern part of Nigeria, after Lagos, Ibadan is the next populated city. It has a huge population. It is ten times easier to apply for licences outside Lagos. Outside Lagos, you will still want to be close to Lagos, which will be Ogun and Oyo states.
Toeing the same line, the Acting Head of Department of Mass Communication, Precious Cornerstone University , Ibadan, Oluwole Ayinla, said:” Ibadan is the largest city in Nigeria. It hosts headquarters of some religious institutions. It has about five private universities with other public institutions. Ibadan has a conducive environment for business. Cost of living is not as high as that of Lagos and Abuja. Also, Ibadan has numerous fee- paying private schools.
However, many questions are cropping up – are the 50 radio stations actually adding value in terms of human capital development? Is the quality of broadcast topnotch? Are they viable and sustainable? Can the Ibadan economy support the stations and make them afloat? “However, stations like Pensioners FM, Raypower do not really have the content and package but the source of funding for the stations will somewhat keep them running for a long time. Beat FM and Raypower have strong bases in Lagos from where resources can flow to sustain the stations.”
In his analysis, Farounbi said that, ordinarily, an increase in the number of radio stations should be a matter of great joy, stressing, “the increase should provide diversity and plurality of options and choices. Unfortunately this is not so as most of the stations sound alike with no unique and distinctive content. The stations have become monotonous repetition or copy of the few outstanding stations.
However, Dr. Busari said the economy of Oyo State may not be so relevant to support the presence of the radio stations due to the fact that the stations do not necessarily have to rely directly on the state’s economy. It was yet another period of shock and disappointment for supporters and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra last Tuesday when the Federal High Court Abuja refused to grant their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu