Music critic and journalist based in the United States, Azuka Jebose , has reacted over the demolition of an Ibadan-based private radio station, Fresh FM,owned by popular juju musician, Yinka Ayefele.
The N800 million state-of-the-art studio and radio station was demolished in the early hours of Sunday morning 19th August, 2018.
Jebose took to his Facebook page on Monday and responded to the demolition in defence of Ayefele
Jebose slammed the Governor of Oyo State, stating that Ajumobi ordered that Fresh FM be ruined and rendered useless for its owner and the staff.
“Sunday morning, while most Nigerians woke to go worship and give thanks to God at their various worship centers in Ibadan, capital of Oyo state, the state’s Chief Executive, Abiola Ajumobi, could not await the streaks of morning sunrise. The monster ordered, immediately that Music House, the place of Ibadan’s premier indy radio station, Fresh FM 105.9 to be ruined and rendered useless for its owner and the staff.
“He was obeyed. By mid-morning, Ayefele’s Radio empire was in a shambles, rubbished by the orders of a political tout Chief Executive; a crowd gathered and watched as bulldozers and caterpillars tore down and destroyed a radio station estimated at N800Million ( $20Million), on the orders of a thug and rogue power drunk State Governor.
Their shameful excuses included: Fresh FM MUSIC HOUSE “Contravenes Planning Laws”. Oyo State Information Commish, Mr. Toye Arulogun attempted a spin to save its oga’s orders with various accusations and allegations that Ayefele’s radio station “circumvented earlier approved plans” by adding extensions to approved structure”.
Speaking further , he said the present government of Oyo State benefitted from the tax revenues from Fresh FM, adding that Ajimobi even praised the radio station years ago.
“Whatever the “contraventions” were, Ayefele rose from near death challenges, defied life and existence to become a great musician, invested his hard earned money in a city he loved and called home. But Ajumobi, the madman of Ogunpa, woke up from a Sunday nightmare and ordered that the business should be decimated because it did not meet planning regulations. What happened to Fines as penalties as consequences?.
That building has been in existence for more than a decade. Various governments of Oyo State, including this administration, benefited from the tax revenues from this company, employer and employees state taxes. If it contravened any city planning regulations, why did the city and state continue to enjoy the benefits from its existence. Why did Ajumobi recently praised the radio station during a visit to its broadcast studios?.
Fresh FM provides employment opportunities for the people of Ibadan and Nigerians. Fresh FM is a small business that should be encouraged, not destroyed. Fresh FM impacted the city and state’s economy. Families depended on Fresh FM for their daily existence. Children are able to get an education from their parents because of salaries paid from this institution that Ajumobi annihilated yesterday. There is no defense for this vindictive and politically motivated destruction of a thriving business center in a city that needs economic and job opportunities for its young citizens. Is this how to encourage investors?. Hell No.
This reckless destruction of dream and investment cannot continue to be carried out by Nigeria’s untouchable political elitist class.
Nigerians should wake up to reality and embrace revenge. If this happened to me, I will torment and torture Ajumobi for the remainder of our lives. I will unleash every fury against him and his family. Everyone is fair game, including the Tourism Commissioner, even if I lose my life: Enough of stupid principles, guarded by conservative religion. It’s a new world, where revenge is part of existence culture.
Abiola Ajumobi cannot escape, not today, tomorrow or forever. He should feel worse pain, humiliation and misery. His properties and investments should be targets for the same breakfast disaster he served Fresh FM on Sunday morning. You want war, you will get war: no matter how long it takes”.