The last few weeks or so has been what many have described as an ‘open transfer window’ of On-Air-Personalities (OAP) in Ibadan’s broadcast industry. Both new and existing radio station entrepreneurs are in a serious battle, committing huge funds to poach, retain and replace the best OAPs of the ancient city. At least, about ten presenters have left their previous places of employment to join other radio stations.
The most hit of these movements, however, is Yinka Ayefele’s Fresh 105.9 FM; Babatunde Saheed (Mr Sport), Adeshina Jagunmade (Paj 1), Akinwale Fasasi (Wiseman) and Oyetayo Oladimeji (Mc Handsome) have all left to join a new radio station called Success 105.3 FM.
The multiple movement hasn’t only become the biggest talk in Ibadan media space, it has also generated some kinds of insinuations. So much that the Management of Fresh FM had to release a press statement, saying that those presenters who left without any rancour.
“It is no longer news that some notable staff presenters of Fresh FM Nigeria have taken their exits from the esteemed group of radio communication outfit. Indeed, they have left for other businesses and professional endeavours. In this regard, Babatunde Saheed (Mr. Sport), Oyetayo Oladimeji (Mc Handsome), Adesina Jagunmade (Paj 1) and Akinwale Fasasi (Wiseman), have all left our platform. The Board and Management consider this, a normal occurance as people would always come and go in any establishment.
It is not in the character of Fresh FM Nigeria to hold down or hold back anyone who desires to leave the company, after all, no one is expected to work with a company forever, not even the Founder. It is, however, heartwarming to note that none of the presenters who recently left Fresh FM Nigeria did so with any form of acrimony or rancour.
The Chairman/CEO, Dr. Yinka Ayefele (MON), views such exits as a necessary phenomenon and a natural cause of action for the peace and progress of a worker/professional, especially for those who left the company and for the Fresh FM Brand itself.
Even as it could be said that no one is indispensable, we can categorically say that those who just left the company would be missed in their areas of expertise and influence, because of their positive contributions to the meteoric rise of the Fresh FM brand since inception in 2015. That is why the company is extending the best of wishes to them as they journey into new business and professional environments.
Dr. Ayefele, therefore, expresses his heartfelt appreciation to them for heartily believing and energetically keying into his vision of making Fresh FM, the King of the Southwest radio stations. It is also Dr. Ayefele’s wish that those who left would find peace, progress, good fortunes and contentment. He further urges them to maintain their core values of diligence, loyalty and focus.” The statement partly reads. Meanwhile, Fresh FM has since replaced its former Yoruba sports presenter Babatunde Saheed (Mr Sport) with Obadare Oladosu (Oba Sports).
The OAPs movements across radio stations in the city is not limited to Fresh FM. A fast rising presenter, Alli Toluwaleke recently left Impact Business Radio (IBR 92.5 FM) to join Wellsradio 89.3 FM Ibadan. Others who are also caught in the web of open transfer include Isaac Owoyemi a.k.a Eniobanke who left Life 107.5FM to join PEP 100.3FM Ibadan, among others. There has been stiff competition among radio stations in ibadan lately. This is unconnected with the establishment of new radios stations in the ancient city, which boasts of more than 20 out of the 33 radio stations in Oyo State. Though four of the stations; The Beats 97.9 FM, NaijaFM102.7, Space 90.1 FM and King 103.9 FM have all gone off air.
-Dare Adeniran
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