The media space in Ibadan is currently buzzing And practitioners are really raising the bar. The recent influx of more radio stations in the city has given room for more On-Air Personalities to spring up and the competition is getting stiffer. City People in this report has duly lined up a list of Top 25 OAPs in Ibadan, what stands them out and what you don’t know about them.
WALE OZOLUA (BEAT FM. IBADAN)
Wale, an On Air Personality cum Compere extraordinaire is a household name in Ibadan. Wale is the Program Director at Beat Fm 97.9, Ibadan. He is a multiple award winning On Air Personality with so much versatility and creativity. He is a Sociology graduate from the Abia State University and he also has a Masters degree. Wales versatility has seen him host high profile events and also given talks at public lectures.
Wale grew up in the street of Surulere/Mushin in Lagos. He stumbled on broadcasting some years ago when he started with the Beat FM Ibadan and few years after he is already a household name in the broadcasting industry.
He enjoys travelling and has a huge interest in food, music, movies, books, social media, public relations, digital and mobile marketing. He is in his mid 30s and very much single. He is a host on Morning Rush which is aired on Monday to Thursdays, 6AM to 11AM and on Sundays 6AM to 12PM.
ROLAKE BELLO (FRESH FM, IBADAN)
She is popularly called “Captain Rolly” on radio. She is the anchor of “Drive Time Show” on Fresh FM, Ibadan. Her soothing voice makes her distinctive. She has won several awards such as the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit award for the Most Outstanding Radio Presenter. She combines her expertise and her rhythmic voice to captivate her audience. Rolake also resided in the UK before coming back to Nigeria to work as a broadcaster. She has also worked as a presenter at Beat FM, Ibadan earlier in her career.
RONKE GIWA – ONAFUWA (SPLASH FM, IBADAN)
Ronke, popularly known as “Ronnie G”, is an award winning, multi talented media personality working at Splash FM Ibadan. She studied English at the Lagos State University after which she left Nigeria for UK, where she studied Music Performance and Production at the London Center of Contemporary Music. She has won herself some major awards in the industry which include, “NBMA 2015 Most popular OAP” and “On Air Personality of the year (2016 Tush Awards)”. She has also been a judge on the MTN project fame before. Ronke’s versatility has seen her work as a radio presenter, voice over artiste and also an event compere. Ronke has been on radio for over ten years and she has obviously carved a niche for herself in the ever competitive broadcast industry. She has a pet project called “Who’s That Girl” which she hosts annually, where young girls are mentored and guided. She likes travelling, swimming and fashion. She is happily married.
FOLAKEMI AROWOLO (NIGERIA INFO FM, IBADAN)
She is popularly known as “Folakemi Mighty”. Folakemi is a graduate of Mass Communication and Media Technology of the Lead City University Ibadan. She is a popular voice on Naija FM 102.7 FM, Ibadan which is an indigenous radio station with indigenous contents. Folakemi is fluent in English language, Pidgin English and Yoruba.
Folakemi, in her mid 30s was born and brought up at Ile Ife, Osun State. She is the fourth child and second Girl from a Christian home. She started as a broadcaster in October 2016 with Naija FM, which also makes her a pioneer member of the radio station. Folakemi used to be a secondary school teacher before she ventured into broadcasting. She is a single mother of a nine year old son. Folakemi likes cooking, travelling, planning and hosting events and also mentoring young the younger folks. She sees radio as a pure passion for her as she does not see herself doing anything other than broadcasting. She loves her job, she loves to multitask and she loves good music.
TOPE EDWARDS (FRESH FM, IBADAN)
Tope is an excellent and versatile On-Air Personality who works with the Yinka Ayefele owned Fresh FM Ibadan as the Head of English Programmes. He is also a Lawyer. His versatility also makes him a voice over artiste and also a compere for various events. He has successfully merged two differing professional fields of Law and Media for over 8 years. He is an award winning OAP whose career has spanned through being a radio Game show host and a breakfast show anchor. He anchors the popular “Freshly Pressed” breakfast show on Fresh FM, Ibadan on every weekdays from 7am to 8am. He is a Law graduate of Olabisi Obasanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State and also a graduate of the Nigerian Law School. He hails from Ekiti State.
EDMUND OBILO (SPLASH FM, IBADAN)
Edmund popularly called “The Radio Man” is a Veteran OAP in Ibadan who currently works as a freelance broadcaster and consultant at Splash FM, Ibadan. He is a cool and easy going individual with split personality, meaning he is cool and he could also be strict on radio. He is the producer and anchor of “State Affairs” a popular public affairs interview show on Splash FM, Ibadan. Edmund has his way of drilling his guests on his show, especially politicians. As a matter of fact, all politician guests on Edmund’s show must always do some extra work when coming on his show. With his deep and loud voice and also his high level of engagement on his thought provoking program, some policians tremble under his voice.
He is a native of Imo State and a widely travelled journalist. He began his broadcasting career with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan Network Center before he proceeded to Splash FM Ibadan as a Sport Broadcaster in 2007. He briefly left Splash FM, Ibadan for Inspiration FM, Ibadan before finally going back to Splash FM, Ibadan where he currently works as a freelance broadcaster and a consultant.
He is one of the most educated media personalities in Nigeria with various university degrees and Masters degrees. He studied Electronics and Electrical Engineering at the University of Benin for his first degree, he also has a another degree in International Relations, Post Graduate Diploma in Theater Arts, Masters degree in Communication and Language Arts and has also gone ahead in getting a Masters degree in Political Science. He has also covered many international events. He is a fearless investigatIVE journalist who enjoys travelling, reading and listening to good music. He is married with children.
ISAAC BROWN (FRESH FM, IBADAN)
The Mayor as he is fondly called is a veteran broadcaster in Ibadan with broadcasting career spanning over two decades. This ace broadcaster started out as a broadcaster in Ibadan with a television show called Gotham City on Galaxy Television, Ibadan, he was and still the producer and host of the Miss Oyo State Beauty Peageant. His over 20 years career as a broadcast journalist has seen him work at Galaxy Television, NTA, MITV/Star FM, Impact Business Radio (IBR) and now at Fresh FM all at Ibadan.
The mayor switched to political and investigative journalism when he got to Fresh FM, Ibadan about two years ago. He is brilliant and very fearless. He anchors two political programmes on Fresh FM, Political Circuit on Saturdays, 10AM to 12PM and Crossfire on Sundays, 4pm to 5pm. Issac Brown is one of the most sort after political journalist in Ibadan. He is the founder of Silverstone Communication the Owners of Miss Oyo State.
JOSEPHINE ODION AMIEGBE (BEAT FM, IBADAN)
JOJO as she is popularly called is a quirky, nerdy ‘girl next door’s you never get enough of. She hails from Edo State but born and bred in Lagos State. She currently co hosts Morning Rush with Wale every Mondays to Thursday’s. She is a graduate of Sociology and Anthropology of the University of Benin. She also worked with Raypower FM, Benin before joining Beat FM, Ibadan. JOJO is witty and very down to earth. Her love for radio is obvious and she doesn’t hide it.
YEMI SONDE (SPLASH FM, IBADAN)
JIGAN as he is fondly called is a veteran, multi talented and award winning media personality. He is a professional journalist with flair for entertainment and public affairs, he is a movie producer, he is a media specialist and also an advertising practitioner. He is the founder of Yemi Sonde Entertainment. He currently works at Splash FM as a freelance broadcaster with his self named program, YSLIVE.
He is a former president of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria. He is a Masters degree holder of Communication and Language Art of the University of Ibadan. Earlier in the year, he launched his Yemi Sonde Media House which houses his proposed Sonde FM radio station and Television station which is expected to launch later in the year. Yemi Sonde is also the convener of the annual NBC/Yemi Sonde Broadcast Media Stakeholders Forum which is a Forum for all Broadcast Stakeholders to meet. He is married with children.
KOLA OLOTU (LAGELU FM, IBADAN)
He is arguably the most consistent of all the On-Air Personalities in Ibadan. ITunes Kola Olotu is a veteran who has been in the media business for over 30 years. His philanthropic gestures make him the most valuable OAP in Ibadan. He is currently an Independent broadcaster at the Lagelu FM, Ibadan where he produces and hosts his own program, “Oselenkejo” on Wednesdays, 10am to 12am. His program on Lagelu FM is one of the most listened to in Ibadan as listeners get to win loads of giveaways in cash, raw food, fuel and lots more on his radio show.
Otunba Kola Olotu is also a movie producer as he has produced movies such as Ologbo Dudu and Ago kan Oru in the past. He is highly connected with the highs and mighty in the land which always gives him leverage in geting an overwhelming number of sponsors for his programs. He recently started another program on Lagelu FM called “Ale Erebe” which has gathered so much sponsors as well due to his influence. He has trained a lot of broadcasters that are now established. He was once the president of Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria, FIBAN. He has worked with so many radio and Television Stations across Nigeria.
OLUWAFEMI ALIU (NAIJA FM, IBADAN)
He is simply called Femi German, an On-Air Personality with Naija FM, Ibadan. He has over the years worked with some of the biggest electronic media houses in Nigeria such as Radio Continental 102.3 FM, City 105.1 FM, Star 101.5 FM, Naija FM 102.7, Cool 96.9 FM, Hi TV, and Classic 97.3 FM. He is a versatile journalist with his main strength in sport journalism.
BABATUNDE SAHEED (FRESH FM, IBADAN)
Mr Sport? is a multiple award winning Nigerian Sport broadcaster and writer. He is a sport presenter on Fresh FM, Ibadan. His sport program “Lori PaPa” which is aired every day of the week 12PM to 1PM is unarguably the most listened to in Oyo State. His finesse in the use of words and his creativity in creating new slangs gives him the edge over other sports presenters.
He started sport journalism from the Government owned Oluyole FM as a freelancer and after which he moved to Fresh FM as a permanent staff. He is very energetic and very hardworking which is evident in the number of days he presents his sports program. He worked so hard to earn himself a Toyota Venza Car from the management of Fresh FM.
TONY ROWLAND AWOBODE (32 FM, IBADAN)
He is fondly called Don T, He is a household name in Ibadan and environs. The seasoned broadcaster and media personality, also a regional judge in the MTN Project Fame auditions. He is currently the General Manager of 32 FM, Ibadan. He is a multiple award winning media personality. He is a professional Biker which makes him ride his power bike around town. His love for marketing and advertising knows no bound as he is the CEO of Rock Tof Media which is an advertising company based in Ibadan. He has served as Regional judge on MTN Project Fame and he is also a brand influencer.
His media career has spanned over 2 decades which has seen him work at various capacities at various media organizations such as BCOS FM, Splash FM and now 32 FM. He is a native of Osun State but was born and bred in Ibadan. He is married with 2 wonderful kids.
OLUWATOYIN SALAU (32 FM, IBADAN)
Oluwatoyin is also known as “Yellow Sisi”. The mystery behind the name “Yellow Sisi” can only be unravelled when you meet her. Yellow Sisi is a charismatic polyglot, instinctive, inquisitive, intuitive and goal driven On Air Personality. She is also a Voiceover Artist, Emcee, Media consultant and lover of nature and culture. She anchors the BREAK-A-DAWN belt (5:30 – 12 noon) on weekdays at 32 FM.
OLORUNTOBA YUSUF (BEAT FM, IBADAN)
Toba is an On-Air Personality, an historian, a researcher, an English news anchor at Beat FM, Ibadan. He is very dynamic and versatile as he has his strengths in Public Affairs programmes and also in sports programmes. He is a Co-host on Morning Rush with Wale and he is also a newscaster. He is also a sport analyst at the Beat FM. Toba has also worked at Space FM, Ibadan before moving to Beat FM. He is cool, calm and collected. His choice of words stands him out.
ADEMOLA ADEDIJI (NAIJA FM, IBADAN)
Demosha as he is popularly called, is a 2008 graduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye, Ogun State where he bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Botany. He started his media career when he joined Sporting Champion as freelance writer.
He has worked as a Sports presenter on sports Shows on Star FM, UNILAG FM, Wazobia FM, Lagos and Naija FM Lagos and presently with Naija FM, Ibadan. Demola has the ability to generate original ideas and knows how to bring his shows to life with the power of storytelling to engage and inspire his audience.
ADEBAYO FALEKE (FRESH FM, IBADAN)
Bayo Faleke is an ace broadcaster with a wide range of experience and achievements in the broadcasting industry. He has an honorary Doctorate degree from the Isfop University, Republic of Benin. He previously worked at Splash FM for some years before moving to Fresh FM. He is also the Head of Marketing at Fresh FM. Bayo is a newscaster, presenter, an Event Compere, a writer and a singer. He has some albums to his credit and also some published books to his credit as well. He is married with Children.
ORIYOMI HAMZAT (32 FM, IBADAN)
Oriyomi Hamzat is an experienced and popular broadcaster in Ibadan and its environs. He is currently working at 32 FM as an OAP. He used to work at Petals FM before he and his program got banned by the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, NBC when he had an infraction with the then Governor of Oyo State. He owns an online radio named “Agidigbo Radio”. He is a philanthropist and also a scholar. He also runs an orphanage for the less privileged children.
AJIBOLA AKINYEFA (LAGELU FM, IBADAN)
Ajibola is talented, versatile and also an award winning Media Personality. He is an investigative journalist working at Lagelu FM. He is the host of a popular Political program “Bo Se N Lo” on Saturdays, 8am to 10am, it is an indigenous program where politicians are being put to public scrutiny. He is also a presenter of a daily Yoruba newspaper review program, “Edoki Iroyin”. He was working at Splash FM before Lagelu was created. He is an Alumni of the Polytechnic of Ibadan. Ajibola’s deep knowledge and use of Yoruba language stands him out. He also has a foundation he launched some months ago which caters for the needy. He is a writer and also a singer.
JUMOKE AJADI (LIBRA TV)
Jayhemkay as she is popularly called is a TV host on Libra TV. She is very industrious, she can be called Jack of all trade and master of all. She is the convener of “The Hangout with Jayhemkay”. She is also the producer of Miss Ojuloge Beauty Peagant. She is the CEO of Jumade Entertainment. She is soft spoken, jovial and down to earth. The energy and hardwork Jumoke puts into her works is something to learn from. Jumoke is from Ibadan, Oyo State and she is in her early 30s.
BIMBO (BEAT FM, IBADAN)
Abimbola is a researcher, speech expert and broadcast journalist. Media has always held a particular interest to him because he feels it is one of the best ways to express himself and influence his society positively. He is the voice behind the Midday Show on the Beat Fm, Ibadan.
KENNETH UGWUEJE (SPLASH FM, IBADAN)
K Boogie is an OAP at Splash FM and he is also the Deputy Program and Content Development Manager. He has a soothing voice that could melt a stone. He is a multi talented personality with knack for versatility. He is the anchor of the programme Lunch Break Xtra and Splash Me Wednesday.
TELOJO EMINA (BEAT FM, IBADAN)
Telojo, popularly known as Tee Jay hails from Delta State but she was born and bred in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The English graduate of the University of Benin had wanted to study Mass Communication owing to her childhood dream of becoming a broadcaster but as fate would have it, she is presently fulfilling that dream as a radio presenter in Ibadan where she works at the Beat 97.9 FM. She is the host of Drive Time Show every weekdays.
HAKEEM LAWAL (NAIJA FM, IBADAN)
Hakeem Lawal is an indigene of Offa, Kwara State. He was born in Lagos and he is the first child of four children. He went to primary school in Lagos while he completed his secondary school at Offa Grammar School and he finished his HND in Accounting at Lagos State Polytechnic. Hakeem has worked for different companies before his love for media pushed him to Sportvision Nigeria Limited where he was part of the three people that first presented daily pidgin sports (Sports Yarn) on radio in 2008 at Wazobia FM 95.1 Lagos.
Apart from the fact that he is a presenter and analyst he is also a producer. He has produced 90 minutes on HiTV and he has done other great TV and radio productions. After four years as sports presenter and analyst on radio, he then joined Naija FM 102.7 in 2012 as one of their OAPs. His hobbies are; listening to music, travelling and watching football. His dream is to become one of the best pidgin/Yoruba presenters if not the best on radio in Nigeria and to continue to make people happy with his SWAG on radio.
OLABOYE OLAWUNMI (LEAD RADIO FM, IBADAN)
Boye’s journey into Broadcasting was by accident, but she has taken her time to master the trade perfectly. She has over five years experience working on radio in cities like Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan. Her rich baritone voice and her vast knowledge of issues ranging from entertainment and political issues have set her apart from her contemporaries. She is also an Event Compere. She anchors The Zone every weekdays, 11am to 4pm on Lead Radio FM.
ADEBOWALE ISHOLA
