Why Lekan Ogunbanwo Would Be Missed In Ltv 8 …Staffers Plan Superlative Send-Forth

For more than eight years, the immediate past Permanent Secretary of Lagos Television, fondly called LTV 8, Mr. Lekan Ogunbanwo turned around the state television station. What Lekan met on ground, when he got to office was not palatable, but rather than apportioning blames or folding his hands and wait for the government, the astute public officer went to work and ensured that all hands were on hand to restore the lost glory of the television station and bequeath to the people of Lagos and indeed Nigerians what befits the metropolitan city and project the image of the referred centre of excellence to the world. So, when last week, the gentleman achiever was asked to move to Parastatal Monitoring Office (PMO), where he would still serve as Permanent Secretary, the staffers of the television station felt as if the world was coming to an end. Some of them, who spoke under anonymity to us last week, revealed that Lekan would be greatly missed as they said he was able to make the television station one of the best in the country, adding that he is a thoroughbred professional with much passion for his work. ‘Lekan remains the best manager LTV 8 has been blessed with, we will miss him a lot. When he got to office, the place was seriously collapsing, but today, the story has changed. Anytime the story of the television station would be told, Lekan’s name would be written in gold,” said one of the staffers. Another employee of the station, who spoke with us secretly, said that a befitting send forth would be organized for Ogunbanwo very soon and that the ceremony would give them the opportunity to tell the world more about the man. With his clear diction, deep baritone voice, diligence and youthful enthusiasm, Lekan became the darling of viewers and listeners. To further sharpen his knowledge; he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism Lagos where he obtained the professional Diploma in Journalism in 1985. In a bid to enlarge his capacity for distinction, Lekan attended several relevant courses and on-the-job training. With strong determination for self development, Olalekan had a steady rise through the broadcasting ladder. He later graduated with English Language at the Lagos State University and obtained Masters in Public Administration in the same institution. At Radio Lagos, he pioneered the evergreen Lagos This Morning Programme which still enjoys wide listenership. He also annchored notable programmes such as Esquire, Ten-to-Twelve, Marathon Beats, Eko FM Man-of-the-year and Sincere Wishes amongst others. In 1997, the Lagos State Government restructured the comatose former Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation (LSBC). It was split into two autonomous: Lagos State Television Service and Lagos State Radio Services for efficiency. The then Administration named him the General Manager of Radio Lagos. His first primary assignment was the completion of Eko FM project which hit the airwaves on December 1, 1997. With his unique leadership style, the oganisation was revived. The patronage of the two stations: Radio Lagos/Eko FM consequently hit the roof. The acceptance and recognition of the two stations brought about credible endorsements. Not surprising, the new station Eko 89.75 won the Radio category of the first edition of the Pan African Broadcasting, Heritage and Achievement PABHA awards 2000. In January 2005, Lekan was appointed a Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Public Service, and redeployed to Radio Lagos and was consequently redeployed to Lagos Television, where he had served in various capabilities for nine years to resuscitate the ailing station. Within the two years of his leadership, Ogunbanwo has brought his indelible mark of excellence to bear on the affairs of the Station. His initiatives at the LTV led to the purchase of 4 new 500 KVA power generator for the broadcasting house, in Ikeja and transmitting station in Ikorodu; acquisition of 2 high – capacity industrial uninterrupted power supply; complete overhauling of the broadcast chain; purchase of 10 mini-DV cameras, and 15 new digital camera; acquisition of 50 KW UHF transmitters feeder cable , antenna and the installation of a new fully digitalized broadcasting chain is nearing completion. With these, the

station received a new lease of life as it became a must watch in every home of its coverage area. The workforce has also became happier and more productive since the redeployment of the broadcasting icon to LTV. He has not only overhauled the technical aspects of the station but also improved the staff morale through the introduction of monthly staff forum; monthly inter-religious fasting and prayer service for staff; purchase of brand new cars for all directorates; construction of staff canteen, the first since the establishment of the station; various in-house and outside training to upgrade knowledge and skills.