Ondo state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described the first privately owned radio station in the state, Adaba 88.9 FM as a child of circumstance.
Akeredolu said the emergence of the radio station liberated the opposition by giving them a platform to speak at a time when there were no avenues to air their voices.
The Governor spoke at the Dinner and Award Night commemorating the 10th year, Anniversary of the radio station held at the Bash Event Center, Akure.
Akeredolu, who said he had once held the view that the station was not really independent, noted that his Commissioner for information, Hon. Yemi Olowolabi, has intimated him with good reports of the station.
He recalled that even when the last administration dug a gully on the road leading to the station, he was one of the few people who intervened and spoke on behalf of Adaba to the then state government.
The Governor commended the management and staff of the station, led by the General Manager, Sir Martins Ayoola, for keeping the values and focus for a decade.
While responding to the call by the General Manager and some guests at the event that the state government should intervene and fix the road leading to the station, Akeredolu promised to take up the matter with his cabinet members and ensure that action is taken concerning it.
“We were somewhere earlier today, and the same things were asked: Road. They want us to fix their roads. But, we have challenges. Just like I told them, we have heard and we will try our best. Just like we strive hard to attend to these roads, in the same vein, we will also make sure that we do something about Adaba FM road”, ” Akeredolu said.
Speaking earlier, the General Manager, Sir Martins Ayoola said the station was also facing the challenge of choosing between two opposite sides.
He stressed that the love from both the people and the politicians have always been a burden which the station has borne for a decade.
He appreciated Governor Akeredolu for identifying with the station and sharing in the moment of its celebration.