Odumakin opens radio station in Ibadan

Afenifere chieftain, Yinka Odumakin, on Friday, inaugurated Petals 102.3FM in Ibadan, Oyo State, with a pledge that the radio station will be objective and fair to all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation.
He said the station was on a mission “and this enterprise
is a pledge to fairness with an oath to put the people first”.
Also, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State emphasised the need for true federalism for Nigeria, saying the historically autonomous and multi-ethnic society needed to be restructured.
With Petals 102. 3FM, the number of radio stations in Oyo State is now 15.
Mimiko said that the nation witnessed true federalism in the 50s, thus providing for a healthy competition among the regions.
“It is only the practice of true federalism that can bring about the much desired Nigeria. It is also funny seeing some people advocate for true federalism and also agitate for local government autonomy as if both can work together”.
‎”If we look at the media in the country today, you all will agree that it is yet to be diversified. All we have today is pseudo-pluralism. The time of neo-diversity and neo-pluralism in Nigerian media has come,’’ he said.
At the inauguration were Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, Brigadier-General Raji Rasaki (rtd), Mr Jimi Agbaje, Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye and Odumakin’s wife, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin.
‎Mimiko also advocated the establishment of state and community police, adding that it was the only solution to the uncontrollable security challenges the nation was witnessing.
Mimiko, who lamented the state of ignorance in the country, urged the management of the radio station to translate meaningfully at educating the people on good governance and leadership.
To Odumakin, the absence of a discernible pattern to the chaos of social-political space made reading and redress near impossible.
“This is why the media should be busier than before, about
interpreting the signals of these perilous times. ‎We should endeavour to separate the crafted reality on which the
power circle feeds and decode it. We should re-awaken our people to the true state of their affairs,’’ he said.
Zonal Director, National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Mrs Pauline Ehusani, urged the management of the radio
station to adhere strictly to the broadcasting code and be more ‎committed to educating the people.‎