***EXCLUSIVE: NBC approves Bayo Akande new radio station, Lagelu FM.

According to inside reports Nigeria broadcasting commission has approved Chief Bayo Akande’s proposal to establish another radio station in Nigeria’s premier city, Ibadan called LAGELU FM.

Chief Bayo Akande

Following the success of Splash FM in Oyo state also owned by him. The reason behind this idea of establishing another radio station is understood to be the fact that splash FM is no longer making the expected wave in the state due to competition from powerful competitor such as beat 97.9 FM which is currently the people’s choice due to its variety in content.

Splash FM was the leading radio station in Oyo state beating competitions from the likes of Radio Nigeria, premier FM e.t.c but since the arrival of Other radio station like Beat FM, Space FM, Inspiration FM, and the newly commissioned radio station owned by the veteran gospel artiste Yinka Ayefele called Fresh FM 105.9.

Splash FM has been facing lots of challenges in holding its ground. The new Fresh FM is making life more difficult for splash FM with the frequency and signal which is close to Splash FM’s frequency and the venue of the station is right behind Splash FM, this causes a clash in radio waves. According to residents in Ibadan, since the arrival of Fresh FM, the signal has been obstructing that of Splash FM which makes it more difficult to tune to splash FM.

Over the years the legacy and platform which is the selling point of Splash FM has been brushed off due to in house problem of the station. Within the last 4 years of Gov Ajimobi era in Oyo state, he has not been helpful too, threatening the station anytime they go against his government. This has made the station very cautious in their reportage and it has been noticed by listeners that they are being bias. Just of recent there was a thug of war between Splash FM’s most celebrated presenter Edmund Obilo and the Alaafin of Oyo which made the station receive a   warning from NBC and earned Edmund Obilo a sanction.

Profit making has over shadowed the love the station had for entertaining the people, this was noticed when they stopped doing shows and hosting industry big guns in Ibadan. The last event they did called Splash FM Fuji festival was a flop despite the fact that they brought over 15 Fuji artist including Alahaji Obesere, Tiri leather and the likes. One of the problem they are currently facing is keeping hold of their current staffs, as most of their staffs are leaving for better stations due to the in house problem and politics. Channels TV newly employed presenter Anne was a staff of splash FM for over 3 years before she left. Also Bayo Faleke who almost lost his life during the Soka crisis in Ibadan recently left too amidst many more which has seen the station low in professionalism.

The idea of setting up a new radio station in the same building using some of their current staffs without recruiting new ones will make Lagelu FM an old dog in the same cage as Splash FM. Lagelu FM will be fully Yoruba, and would be aired on 89.1FM. The Facebook page and Twitter handle of the unexampled radio station is Lagelu FM 89.1, and @LageluFM891 respectively. But the idea of having a new station in the same building as the existing Splash FM which is having issues of clash of signal with Fresh FM is one which is debatable and questionable. Only time will tell if Chief Bayo Akande can run both stations successfully.

Lagelu FM 89.1