Nigerian gospel singer and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele, has described his 1997 car accident as the major turning point in his life.
Speaking at a press conference to mark the 10th anniversary of Fresh 105.9 FM in Ibadan, Ayefele said his rise to fame began after the accident that changed his life’s direction.
He recalled starting the radio station by live streaming on Facebook, and proudly noted that he has not sacked any staff in the past 10 years.
The event was attended by top dignitaries including Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, media adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde, NUJ Chairman Ademola Babalola, and NBC representative Alhaja Sherifat Mohammed-Koro.
He said, “I worked at Radio Nigeria Ibadan, I was into jingle production, I bought a beetle car from the money I realised. I had a road accident on my way to Abeokuta in Ogun State in 1997 with the car. It was in the road accident I had in 1997, I know that many people know about the story, so, that was my turning point.
“It was on Facebook that I started live streaming. I started it, I started streaming and I realised that my fans outside Nigeria appreciate it. After that, I thought that I can have a radio station and that I can change the narrative and at the same time change the system of broadcasting.
“I started transmitting, then a time came that the NBC came, they bombarded my office with DSS and they said Mr Ayefele, where is your licence and I said do I need a license. They said yes. It took me seven years before I was given the licence.
“Ranti Akerele started the journey. If they investigate owners of radio stations the same way I was investigated for seven years, I don’t think that most of these radio stations will exist today. I want to change the face of broadcasting.
“I have never sacked anyone in the last 10 years. The only one I did was that I advised the person to resign. Ajimobi was the first person to expose Fresh FM to the whole world. The day it happened, it was painful. BBC called me, CNN invited me. So, it was a blessing in disguise. Ajimobi also rebuilt the station. It was when I went to the Presidential Villa to meet former President, Goodluck Jonathan and his wife asked me what I want. I said I want a license and I want to thank them.”
Mohammed-Koro, in her address, advised radio stations to adhere to the rules and regulations guiding their operations.
“We know that broadcast stations cannot do without violating the rules. But, we encourage you to adhere to the rules. We encourage you to adhere to the rules.”
