Six traditional rulers drawn from Ikorodu Town and it’s environs on Saturday, 20th March poured royal blessings upon IKD 106.1 FM, a new community radio which commenced operations in Ikorodu on Monday, 18th March.
The radio station is an initiative of Hon Babajimi Benson, Member, representing Ikorodu federal Constituency at the House of Reps.
The Royal Fathers were led to the prayer session by the Ayangburen and Paramount Ruler of Ikorodu Division, Oba (Engr) Kabir Adewale Shotobi.
Other Obas at the meeting were the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Fatai Ajibade Agoro, Olubehse of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Ogunsaya, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, Sekumade of Ipakodo, Oba Bashir Sotomiwa and Eweye of Isiu, Oba Raji Kayode Balogun.
Also on the royal visiting team was a retired Chairman of Multichoice Nigeria and Odofin of Ikorodu, High Chief Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN) and a retinue of Baales.
Commenting on IKD 106.1 FM, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo noted that, the new radio station has come to stay, being a community radio.
In the view of the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Agoro, ‘Hon Jimi Benson is an exemplary personality who he said was following in the steps of his forebearers like the Late TOS Benson (SAN). The monarch restated that, Hon Benson was a reincarnation of TOS Benson who was also instrumental to the establishment of Voice of Nigeria in Ikorodu. He added that, the multiplier effect of TOS Benson’s impacts, especially in education has now paid off. He concluded his prayers with a song depicting JB as a reliable personality.
Also, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi who was visibly elated was full of praises to God for blessing the community with a son like the federal lawmaker.
Speaking while featuring as a guest on the radio, the monarch who spoke fluently in Pidgin English also stated that, the current security situation being witnessed in the community is as a result of the growing cosmopolitan nature of Ikorodu. He also advised the residents, especially non-indigenes to be law-abiding as Ikorodu is accommodating to both indigenes and non-indigenes.
In the same vein, Eweye of Isiu restated that Jimi Benson was a true son of his family, for following in their giant strides in attracting development to Ikorodu community.
Oba Sekumade of Ipakodo, Engr Bashir Sotomiwa also commended Hon Benson for initiating the community radio project. The monarch also expressed happiness that the station was sited close to his domain, Ipakodo community. He equally advised the management to ensure strict compliance to broadcast standards, while ensuring that they show loyalty to Ikorodu Division in their programme contents and information dissemination.
The Olubehse of Ibeshe, Oba Richard Ogunsanya, in his brief remarks thanked Hon Benson for attracting quality democratic dividends to Ikorodu federal constituency. The monarch also praised the lawmaker for initiating some developmental projects in his domain.
Responding, Hon Benson expressed deep gratitude to the Ayangburen of Ikorodu and all the royal fathers for the visit and prayers.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Adeniyi Kunnu, General Manager of the new radio station while welcoming the royal fathers, noted that IKD 106.1FM was established to broadcast local contents, and programming in English, Pidgin, Yoruba and Ijebu, being Ikorodu’s local dialect to listeners across Ikorodu and it’s environs.
The establishment of IKD 106.1 FM is coming almost five years after the establishment of Ikorodu Oga Radio, the first (online) community radio in Ikorodu, Lagos and Nigeria at large, which was launched in 2016.
