Kunle Adelabu
-We are offering four broadcast languages, seasoned broadcasters – GM
About two years after being granted licence by the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to operate, lkorodu Radio (IKD 106.1FM) has officially commenced transmission on Sunday, March 14, 2021.
The radio, which is an initiative of the Member of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the House Committee on Defense, Rep Babajimi Adegoke Benson, is designed to ensure that the voice of lkorodu Division is heard in the state, nationally and globally.
The IKD 106.1FM station, which will join the LASPOTECH FM 101.9, another Ikorodu – based community radio which has also commenced operations, to disseminate information, educate and provide entertainment about the division and its environs, has indeed confirmed Ikorodu, where Radio Lagos once transmitted from and also the host to the Voice of Nigeria, as a leading broadcasting town.
THE IMPACT was at the station to observe the official commencement of operations on Sunday (yesterday).
Speaking with the General Manager of IKD 106.1FM, Mr Adeniyi Taiwo Kunnu, on the making of the station and how the station will serve its audience, he stated that the long period of test run offered them the opportunity to not only ascertain the effectiveness of the station’s equipment, but also to create awareness and develop entertaining and educative contents.
“Basically, the period of test run was multifaceted. The primary aim is to create awareness of what is coming. That was what test run period was all about” he said.
“Secondly, it is also to ensure that the machines and equipment are in proper shape because if you look at it, when you have electronic gadgets in store, you need to try and see to their proper functionality to ensure they are functioning well. This is necessary, especially when you are talking about an organization like ours.
“The period was to ensure that our equipment are properly installed and to also see that we are able to reach out to people within the particular location that we have the permission to broadcast, and as l said earlier, there is no doubt about creating awareness about what is coming”, Mr Kunnu added.
“Do not also forget that nobody operates a radio station without the authority and permission of the NBC, thus, it also ensured that the NBC listens and has an idea of our reach, operations, adherence to the guidelines and other official things that must be done.
He said that the COVID-19 pandemic which affected many businesses also took its toll on the establishment of the radio station but that the management remained resolute in ensuring that the station which is aimed at enhancing further propagation of Ikorodu to the outside world, sees the light of the day.
According to the management of the new station, the audience in the entire Ikorodu Division as well as Mainland, Ikeja, Ipaja and some parts of the Island will be able to hear its content clearly.
“We have obtained the license since 2019 but COVID – 19 came with its ugliness and prevented us from moving forward but we remained undaunted and resilient to go forward with what we wanted to do and that is the reason we are doing this today.
“Because we are community radio, we are definitely operating within a particular given area but our radio can be heard very clearly in the entire Ikorodu and on the Mainland. We are also covering the entire Ikeja and entire Ipaja and some parts of the Island.
“We are community radio and obviously, the reason for that is to serve our immediate community but more importantly, is the fact that we are not limited by our reach. What matters most is that the richness of what we have to offer is much more than the physical limitation.
Speaking on what the audience in Ikorodu and other coverage areas should be looking forward to, Mr Kunnu said that IKD 106.1FM is the only station in its area of coverage that relates on air in four languages.
“We are the only community radio in this axis that offers our broadcast in four languages. That means that we are giving our audience varieties and the best of varieties to choose from”, he said.
“This is very clear because no other community radio that is located anywhere is offering its audience the richness of our varieties. We are offering Yoruba, Pidgin English, English and as well as Ijebu dialect. That’s exactly what stands us out.
“We are unique, particularly in terms of what we have to offer. Apart from that, when you have an organisation as wonderful as ours, you need to also make bold to say that you have capable hands as part of your team”, he added.
“We do not only have broadcast languages but also content and diverse programmes that cut across every facet of our lives. So, as a result of that, we have gotten very competent broadcasters as well to help interpret all the provisions that we have for our wonderful audience anywhere that they are.
“There is a particular programme called the Arts; which will not only accommodate people who are within the creative sector in English Language but also in Yoruba and Pidgin. We will accommodate them because that is what we know Ikorodu for.
“Apart from the fact that Ikorodu is a town where a lot of people speak Ijebu which I told you that we have made provision for, I also must clearly tell you that we also have another programme which is very powerful which deals with ‘Asa’ – Yorubas’ philosophy, cultures and values. That is another programme that is on offer here. That is what we are for; to serve the people”, Mr Kunnu said.
“We have definitely brought forward mixed provisions for what people love and that’s what we will continue to do”, he assured the audience.
Brief on the GM of KRD 105.1FM and some of broadcasters that will be ensuring the smooth running of the station and interpretation of contents on air are below:
Adeniyi Kunnu the General Manager:
He has been in the industry for about two decades and still counting. He has traversed Television and radio broadcasting and has also written a lot of papers .
Kunnu also engages greatly on the social media.
He is a seasoned broadcaster who has learnt from the masters and is still making learning a daily routine.
Ibukun Surulola (Adunni):
A trained Mass Communicator as well as a Linguist (Yoruba and English Languages).
An outstanding broadcaster who has attended several training sessions. She has worked in both TV and radio stations and she is also into writing.
Taiwo Kamoru:
A graduate of Linguistics and a trained Communicator . He has attended several workshops and conferences. One of the workshops he attended was done in Chinese language.
Victor Achibong:
He cut his teeth at the National Broadcasting Academy in Ikeja. He is a graduate of International Relations and Personnel Management. He is somebody who has done a lot in the advertising industry, sports and general broadcasting.
David Epebi:
A wonderful and trained sound producer with vast experience.
