Stakeholders celebrate Raypower @ 30, canvass NBC’s interface

Broadcasters and stakeholders in the media industry, last weekend, joined Raypower family in the celebration of its 30th anniversary, describing the medium as a trailblazer that dared the uncharted waters.

They further urged the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to interface with media houses as a way to address challenges confronting the industry.

Recall that in the wake of deregulation of broadcasting of 1992, DAAR Communications Plc., founded by the late High Chief Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, applied for and was granted approval to operate an independent radio station.

The station, which started test transmission in 1993, made history on September 1, 1994, when it commenced commercial broadcasting with the launch of Raypower 100.5 FM in Lagos, as the first private 24-hour broadcast service station in Nigeria.

In an interview with The Guardian, Executive Secretary, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Yemisi Bamgbose, said, “while rejoicing with Raypower, the first private radio to broadcast in Nigeria, I must confess that the medium has lived up to expectations of a pioneer private radio station in Nigeria.

Raypower is synonymous with quality programming with a wide audience across the country. The founder helped in no small measures to the evolution of National Broadcasting Code. Raypower has made tremendous contributions to the socio -political development of Nigeria. The station has also contributed to the economic development of Nigeria through advertising of various products as well as employment of hundreds of people that constitute the workforce of the organisation. Raypower equally provided the platform for training of broadcast journalists in including content providers and programme presenters, among many others.”

Concerning the NBC, he suggested the Commission should engage in regular interface with the media owners to understand the challenges of broadcast stations with the aim of having solutions.

To him, “NBC in collaboration with BON should engage in training on retraining of broadcast media practitioners to ensure professionalism.”

On his part, retiring Managing Director, Radio Services, Ambrose Somide, said, “my only statement is to thank God for the journey and thank Nigerians for the experience shared in the last three decades. To pray for the repose of the soul of our founder and trailblazer, High Chief Aleogho Dokpesi, who led us into the uncharted waters of private broadcasting and gave us the platform to share our talents to the world.

May the souls of our other colleagueswho were with us at the beginning but have passed oncontinue to rest in peace. I am proud to be one of the pioneers of private radio in Nigeria and I am confident that history will be kind to us. Raypower continues to be a reference point for radio in Nigeria and has been so honoured with so many industry awards for the contribution to nation building and for expanding the frontiers of free speech and communication. I must say that is gladdening for me as we celebrate.”

Executive Director, Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Akin Akingbulu, stated, “we must give it to the medium. We read it will be difficult under the military to get licence for a private radio station. The military was reluctant to license private radio stations. The proprietor, Dokpesi, put in extra efforts to get the licence. They also introduced longer hours into broadcasting. They provided leadership for advocacy. They were resilient and determined.

They championed conversation that defined and protect the enabling environment at that time. I commend them for the great efforts they had put in the work of broadcasting.”

He added NBC should bring stakeholders together to have robust conversation around funding and income generation for broadcasting organisations.

To Akingbulu, the current economic environment is challenging and government must sit up.

Former BON Chairman, Sa’a Ibrahim, said, “I want to extend my congratulations to the staff and management of the company for still standing against all odds. It is about the first private station, which has a vision to provide alternative voice to the people. The broadcasting industry today is going through tough times due to high operational costs and other disruptions but the station remains standing, deserves commendation. I want to extend my condolence over the passing of its Chairman and founder. I pray the company gets over the pain of the loss and come out stronger.”