Olayemi Esan
The proprietress of WFM, the first female radio station in Nigeria, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya has urged Nigerian broadcast journalists to avoid and stop faking borrowed accents while they are on air, just to impress audience.
Okewale-Sonaiya spoke Friday in her goodwill message at the 5th anniversary lecture of Sweet F.M radio station, held at hotels, Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.
The media manager explained broadcast journalists should pilot and cause conversations to influence and effect change, as well as create contents that appeal to listeners and consider the environments they are operating in regards accents.
She spoke: “To my colleagues steer conversations to influence and effect change. Create contents that appeal to your listeners. Don’t fake accents to impress your audience. Deliver locally, but influence globally. Self regulate don’t wait for NBC to complain. Use appropriate language.”
She noted the National Broadcasting Commission (NBCs) role as regulator must be acknowledged and use them as advisors when in doubt, stressing need to foster good relationship with the commission offices.
The veteran female broadcaster congratulated the Sweet F.M radio station on the anniversary, and gave kudos to the management of the station established by Senator Gbenga Obadara and headed by former Director with National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Eddy Aina, stressing that the station is lucky to engage the veteran broadcaster as its Managing Director..
“Uncle Eddy Aina has become a good resource for us at Women Radio. I knew him through my father and he remains my go to person. He was the 1st person I met and sat with when I picked up application form for Women Radio. He played a huge role in the establishment of Women Radio and we remain grateful to him. He is an impactful source of knowledge and you are lucky to have him in the leadership of Sweet FM’, she declared.
“I congratulate the chair and board for 5 years of great work. To my colleagues you can only make Sweet 107.1 FM truly sweet when you practise professional journalism. In 5 years you know the strength of your station so work on improving and horning your skill,” she said.
