First Nigeria health radio station goes live, to broadcast in English, indigenous languages

The first Nigeria health radio station, Wash 94.9fm, has been unveiled in Lagos as a medium for broadcasting health issues as well as creating awareness on health concerns across the country.

The station, which was unveiled last weekend, is licensed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to broadcast in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Fulfulde and other indigenous dialects for wide coverage.

Divided into two major contents, which are 70 per cent reporting on health issues and 30 per cent for fun, music and entertainment, the station will offer interviews and commentaries from industry leaders in the healthcare industry as well as originally produced programmes.

Speaking at the unveiling,  a member of the Board of the radion, Prof. Ronke Ogunmakin, said a product of 25 years journey, birthed with the sole aim of providing quality information and clarification on any health-related issues by experts across the medical field. She described the vision and mission of the radio station as a global one that is aimed to meet Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4.

According to her, “When we talk about broadcasting, it is about knowledge and having access to information. And the easiest way to have it is through radio. What we are doing today is global in nature in the sense that we are following the sustainable development goals of the United Nations charter. Our focus is on health and wellbeing as well as access to education which are SDGs 3 and 4.”

She urged Nigerians to seek proper medical knowledge about their health concerns, adding that ignorance is not an excuse when it comes to health, which is one of the critical parts of human existence.

She appreciated the efforts of her team members, saying if not for them; the dream of having the radio fm would have continued to be a mirage.

In his remarks, Chairman of the event, Toba Akinmoladun, stated that many things have gone wrong in the health sector because of ignorance, assuring that the station is ready to help Nigerians make better choices about their health and to clarify any doubts they may have regarding any health concerns.

He also added that the station would offer a great platform for knowledge and understanding to have a good healthy life. He said: “Typical in health, there are several parts and we are focusing on human health. Human health covers many things from the simple headache to more chronic diseases such as cancers and all of that. The invited health experts would speak to different topics at different times, providing the listeners opportunity to know more about topical health issues. Our focus will continue to remain assisting people in the line of giving proper information about health issues.”

In his remarks, the Baale of Olowora, Chief Sulaimon Kareem, described the initiative as a groundbreaking effort, which would impact a lot of Nigerians and make the society better.

He said: “This is a commendable initiative because the aim of this radio station is on health, which some other stations that are known have never done before. They only do theirs as part of their programme.”

Earlier, the Zonal Director of NBC Lagos, Ralph Akpan, announced the approval of operational license to the radio station, commending the efforts of the founder for setting up such initiative.