Lifestyle

By Jeffrey Ahonmisi

Former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi says the late Chief Mrs Anike Agbaje-Williams will always be remembered as a broadcast professional who sought the growth of her subordinates.

Dr Farounbi stated this in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Ibadan.

The veteran journalist, broadcaster, and alumni of Western Nigeria Television, WNTV, maintained that late Chief Mrs Agbaje-Williams was a thorough manager who mentored a lot of broadcasters to greatness.

Dr Farounbi noted that even when she retired, she continued to provide guidance and support to her mentees.

He said he had the privilege of working with Mrs Agbaje-Williams until 1976 when she moved from WNTV to Radio OYO/BCOS as a Director of Programmes.

Also reacting to the demise of the media icon, a public affairs analyst, Mr Jide Ojo said the death of Chief Mrs Anike Agbaje-Williams was a sad loss to Nigeria and the media world.

Mr Ojo urged the federal government to immortalise the late icon for her exemplary work in the media profession.

Mrs Anike Agbaje-Williams, née Kuforiji, was a pioneer staff of WNTV, which was the first television station in Africa.

She rose to become a producer and Director of programmes at the television station before retiring in 1986.

Mrs Anike Agbaje-Williams passed away on Wednesday, 26th February 2025, at 88 years old in Ibadan, where she lived for most of her life.

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News

The sixtieth anniversary of Western Nigeria Television, WNTV, the first television in Africa put together by Foundation for Ibadan Television Anniversary Celebration, FITAC, has commenced with photo exhibition held at Nigerian Television Authority, NTA Ibadan premises in Agodi, Ibadan.

The event had in attendance ace broadcasters and veterans in the media industry who worked as staffers of WNTV.

Speaking on the essence of the programme, Chairman Board of Trustee, FITAC, Ambassador Yemi Farombi said it was to celebrate sixty years of excellence and dedication, noting that WNTV was a national legacy which should be cherished forever.

Ambassador Farombi explained that WNTV which had metamorphosed to NTA preceded television broadcast in France, Ireland and South Africa among other countries.

In separate remarks, Zonal Director, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan National Station, Alhaji Mohammed Bello and his counterpart from Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Engineer Omolola Olorode encouraged practicing journalists to learn from the dexterity of the old hands who worked successfully with analog gadgets and maximize the potentials of digital broadcasting.

Some of the equipment used during the early days of broadcasting in Nigeria

The veteran broadcasters took turns to visit the Exhibition Room where equipment of yesteryears were displayed in reminiscence of what broadcasting was.

Ambassador Yemi Farounbi taking Oyo Dep. Gov. Engr Rauf Olaniyan round the Exhibition Room

In a message after the visit to the Exhibition Room, Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan noted that NTA had been improving in relation to advancement in technology.

Engineer Makinde pledged to support alumni of WMTV/WNBS to ensure that history was not erased.

Adedayo Adelowo