Lifestyle

World Radio Day: Experts Highlight AI, Credibility in Broadcasting

By Web News 290

By Olubunmi Agboola

Radio remains a unique and dependable medium that cuts across social classes and literacy levels, earning the trust of millions through its affordability and intimacy.

The Head of Service in Oyo State, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni, made this assertion at the 2026 World Radio Day celebration organized by the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Oyo State Chapter, at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Rattawu Hall, Basorun, Ibadan.

Represented by the Director of Career Management Service, Mrs. Adebukola Akinwale, Mrs. Oni emphasized that radio continues to inform, educate, and entertain the public. She noted that dedication and professionalism within the broadcast sector contribute significantly to governance and unity in Oyo State.

Delivering a lecture titled “Radio and Artificial Intelligence (AI)”, former Zonal Director of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Ibadan Zonal Station, Mrs. Bolatito Joseph, described radio as the enduring mouthpiece of the people.

Mrs Joseph highlighted the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on broadcasting, explaining that AI builds on radio’s longstanding tradition of creativity, in-depth research, quality content production, and talent discovery. She stressed that innovation must complement — not replace — the human element that defines radio.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of RATTAWU, Oyo State Chapter, Mr. Kehinde Olayade, reminded participants that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) marks World Radio Day every February 13.

Mr. Olayade described radio as an indispensable tool for development, social cohesion, and public enlightenment. He maintained that while AI can enhance broadcasting, radio’s relevance ultimately depends on the human touch that connects emotionally with audiences.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Olufemi Oguntoyinbo, urged journalists to prioritize factual reporting capable of sustaining audience engagement.

He cautioned against the spread of misinformation, stressing that fact-based journalism builds credibility, strengthens trust, and upholds the integrity of the profession.

Dignitaries present at the 2026 World Radio Day celebration included the Zonal Director of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Ibadan Zonal Station, Mr. Olufemi Fulani, and the Chairperson of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Mrs. Dotun Olaitan, alongside union leaders and media professionals.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities who have contributed significantly to the stability, growth, and development of radio broadcasting in their respective fields.

The celebration reinforced radio’s enduring relevance in the digital age and its evolving partnership with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.

Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle

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Governance

Makinde Outlines 2025 Developmental Plans

By Web News 600

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State Governor, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, says his government would do more for the people of the state in 2025.

The governor stated this in his New Year Message aired on the state-owned Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

He noted that the administration would embark on decisive actions that would increase Oyo State residents’ spending powers and ease the economic strains they are facing.

Governor Makinde, who also reiterated the position during the Crossover Service held at the Livingspring Chapel International, Ibadan,said he would remain focused and ensure that residents of the state get value for the mandate given to him.

He listed the upgrading of the Ibadan Airport, Alakia to an international status, the first segment of the Ibadan Circular Road and further education and enlightenment of residents as some of the projects the government would embark upon in the New Year.

He also added that his administration would enforce the rule of law across different sectors, noting that more stringent measures would be taken against traffic offences in the state.

Governor Makinde maintained that 2024 tested the resilience of Oyo State residents to the limit, as the state and its people faced so many difficult situations including economic hardship and tragedies in Ibadan.

According to the governor, the nation struggled with economic challenges throughout 2024, with inflation rates reducing the people’s spending power and dragging more people into poverty despite his administration working hard to lift people out of poverty through different policies and programmes.

Governor Makinde said: “What a year 2024 was! Our resilience as a people has been tested almost to the limit.
“We have faced economic challenges and social tragedies that have been a direct or indirect result of these challenges.
“We were shocked by the 16 January, 2024 Bodija Incident. We reacted by signing Executive Order 001, 2024 on the Safe Handling and Storage of Harmful Substances Within Oyo State. We also took steps to give support to those who were primarily affected by this incident. We will give them even more support this 2025.
“In December 2024, disaster again struck in our dear State as we lost 35 children to a stampede at Islamic High School Basorun. We are still mourning this great loss.
“Throughout the year, we struggled with economic challenges as a nation. Inflation rates reduced our spending power and dragged more people into poverty than we were able to help escape poverty.
“Our hearts are heavy. Still, we are thankful.
“These tragedies have forced us as a government to go back to the drawing board and take a second look at our strategies, policies and programmes.
“For example, following the Bodija Incident, we took actions that further secured the lives of our people. We are more determined to put further measures in place to ensure that incidents like these never occur again.
“The economic difficulties also spurred us to take further actions to pull our people out of poverty. We invested in making Oyo State an economic hub, making our environment more ideal for the private sector to thrive.
“We welcomed Africorp Consortium and Shell Nigeria Gas into Oyo State, completed and commissioned the first phase of our Independent Power Project, a public-private partnership with Elektron Energy and flagged off the second agribusiness industrial hub construction at Eruwa.
“Indeed, despite the pain we feel regarding the tragedies that befell us last year, we are thankful.”
Governor Makinde also used the opportunity to assure residents of the state that there would be a positive turnaround in the New Year, calling on the people to continue to support his administration.
“So, with this confidence we look forward to a 2025 that will be a turnaround for us personally and as a people.
“As an administration, we look forward to doing more for our people. We are determined to take actions that will increase your spending power and ease the economic strain you are currently facing.
“We commit to being less reactive and more proactive. That is why we have mandated appropriate agencies to sensitise our people more about their duties and responsibilities that will lower the possibility of these avoidable disasters.
“OYMASED is supposed to educate our people. If we have any policies, programmes, the agency has its job cut out for it and we will keep educating our people. We will also use technology.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to see the New Year. I wish you a happy New Year and a very prosperous 2025,” he added.

Lifestyle

Families, Friends Celebrate Lifetime of Late Hoalat Ogunbunmi

By Web News 476

By Fasilat Lawal

Families and friends gathered on Saturday to celebrate the exemplary life of a nonagenarian, late Hoalat Titilayo Ogunbunmi.

The event, which took place at the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, Ibadan, had in attendance staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Lagos Operations and Ibadan Zonal Station and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos.

Late Ogunbunmi was the mother of General Manager, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s Metro FM, Mr Korede Ogunbunmi.

Commenting on the life of his late mother, Mr Korede Ogunbunmi described his mother as a caring and selfless woman whose vacuum would be hard to fill.

Similarly, two daughters of the deceased, Mrs Halirat Bodija and Alhaja Sadiyat Ali said their mother was a rare gem, noted for diligence, and who made great impact on people’s lives regardless of race, gender or religious affiliation.

Among guests at event was the Deputy Director of News and Current Affairs, FRCN Ibadan Zonal Station, Mr Adewumi Faniran 

Alhaja Hoalat Titilayo Ogunbunmi who died on the 9th of July, 2023 at the Age of 92 was survived by many children, grand children and great grand children.

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Lifestyle

BCOS 40th Anniversary: Media Professionals Must Ensure Balanced Reportage – Dotun Oyelade

By Web News 1472

Media professionals have been encouraged to sustain professional standard so as to overcome the challenges created by social media.

The Executive Chairman, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, Prince Dotun Oyelade stated this while addressing newsmen as part of the activities marking the 40th anniversary of BCOS.

Prince Oyelade explained that the problem of fake news being peddled by the new media was not peculiar to Nigeria alone saying conventional media must continue to set the pace through the transmission of balanced, accurate and objective reportage of events.

Speaking on the 40th anniversary of BCOS Prince Oyelade said the media outfits established in 1982 as Television Service of Oyo State, TSOS, had not only survived different political manipulations in the state but had also triggered the emergence of other state-owned media.

The BCOS executive chairman who commended the vision of Late Chief Bola Ige for creating a conducive working environment for the state media to operate in its formative years said the establishment of the media outfit followed the discovery of the potent power of television in influencing and moulding people’s opinion.

The BCOS boss while commending Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state for funding the media organization said the media outfit would not handle the training and retraining of staff with levity.

In their separate remarks, former Nigeria’s ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi, former director of Engineering, BCOS, Alhaji Lateef Busari and the former secretary to oyo state government, Mr Bisi Adesola encouraged BCOS staff to keep the vision and broadcast policy of the station alive irrespective of the prevailing condition within which it operates.

Among series of activities lined up for the 40th anniversary of the station include BCOS beauty pageantry, coming up last week in March, children funfair, May 27. 

Other events include walk and Kumar prayer slated for Friday, May 27, traditional prayer May 28th and Church thanksgiving service at the Saint James Cathedral, Oke Bola. On the 29th of May this year.

The 40th anniversary will also feature a special lecture.

Rotimi Famakin

News

Former FRCN Executive Director Atilade Atoyebi Passes On

By Web News 1980

The family of Late Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Solomon Ladeji Atoyebi the second in Ogbomoso South Local Government Area, Oyo State have announced the home call of Prince Atilade Atoyebi, retired Executive Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Veteran Journalist, Media Consultant & Former Executive Chairman, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS)
He answered the home call in the early hours of today, Saturday; 18th January, 2020 at a private hospital in Lagos.
Prince Atilade Atoyebi is survived by three children, grand children, his wife; Layide and older brother; Prince David Gbadebo Ladeji; Former Secretary to the Oyo State Government.
The burial arrangement for Prince Atilade Atoyebi who died this morning at the age of 72 will be announced later by the family.

Dr. Adedapo Atoyebi;
Acting HLGA, Oyo South East LCDA.
For the entire Atoyebi Royal Family of Ogbomoso