Radio Lagos improving, but …

Candidly, Radio Lagos is now undergoing a positive metamorphosis. On January 22 and April 28, 2016, I wrote two opinion pieces in its criticisms. To the delight of every listener, this public utility accepted the criticisms and effected some desired changes . Criticism promotes quality performances, provided that it is not made maliciously. If other utilities can be as receptive to criticisms as the Radio Lagos, their services will be assured.

However, there still remain some disturbing areas. For instance, breaking transmission still occurs When there is a break in transmission, there is no flow of information. The listener is on the tenterhooks, unable to make accurate mental picture of the news messages, and by extension, of the pieces of information, because there is disconnection or discontinuity. For instance anybody who frequently drives through the Maryland underpass (to Ojota) in Lagos with a car-radio switched on, shall experience a “break in transmission”, during which there is sudden silence. There is continuity of the flow in the broadcasting instantly after driving to the light from the dark towards Ojota. In that brief interval, the pieces of information are lost. In May, this year, there was a prolonged break in transmission raising the suspicion that something was amiss in the studio. Steps must be taken to resolve this regular occurrence.

Concerning the early morning Christian sermon by one Olowoporoku, I doff my hat to him. He has a thorough grasp of the Biblical verses. His exposition of the Scripture is excellent, except that his arrogant utterances are not beneficial to illiterates or semi-illiterates. In the process, no deep understanding takes place. Yoruba programmes must never be laced intermittently with English words and phrases. It is an injustice to listeners. It also amounts to waste of their precious time. What is more, Poroku’s item seems to be more of self-advertisement to his prospective church members than preaching. Sermon must focus on morals ethics. In addition, Poroku’s scriptural exposition is full of appaling English grammar. The author of Oro agba is unique and performing a very useful service. It is more than a sermon on the pulpit. Usually, it is concisely packaged within five minutes in standard Yoruba language to teach moral lessons.

The most exciting item on the morning programme is asayan irohin, done in Yoruba language, with the appropriate applications of proverbs, idioms, similes and metaphors, to make the deliveries of the news items graphic. Happily, sporting news is accorded recognition on Radio Lagos. It is precise, topical and educative for debates.

Still on early morning programmes, which most listeners cherish, the Iwure in the month of Ramadan was virtually unheard about. In the studies of Sociology, it is established that no culture can claim to be superior to others; every culture is as significant as the other. In the month of Ramadan, the Iwure a Yoruba traditional spiritual programme, on Radio Lagos was rarely aired. Whilst two other faiths got greater recognition. I can state with candour that there is a lot in our traditional culture and religion to promote our development, Nigerians tend to place foreign culture on higher pedestal to enhance it and resultantly suppress our own heritage. Ostensibly because of its nature, the Iwure was nearly suspended. Yoruba tradition is short-changed.

This is most unfair to the tradionalists who also pay taxes to maintain Radio Lagos and its staff. I can state with candour that in our culture and tradition, ayajo, ofo or ogede incantations are capable of keeping evils at bay, and restoring peace in the society. Why Iwure was shunned calls for explanations from Radio Lagos. On the whole, Radio Lagos is rich in programmes.

There is nothing wrong in self-advertisements. In the newspaper industry, self-advertisement is practised to promote a newspaper or magazine and boost sales. What Radio Lagos is selling is broadcasting service. Therefore, the station must never be tired of frequently engaging in the self-adulation of its “product”, which is its service programmes. In the days of the defunct Daily Express newspaper, Apongbon Street, Lagos, I recollect the regular saying of editorial staffers in the newsroom: “Blow your trumpet for yourself. Nobody’ll blow for you”. No other station in the world will praise Radio Lagos.

Oshisada, a veteran journalist, writes from Ikorodu, Lagos