For the management, staff and independent broadcasters on Faaji 106.5 F.M., Lagos, Friday, December 1st, 2017, was more than just the public holiday declared in Nigeria for Maolud Nabiyy to celebrate the birthday of Holy Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W.). The day was coincidentally, the 5th anniversary of the soar away radio station. And to mark the day modestly, the management of the station, led by Dr. Ambrose Olutayo Somide, the Director, Radio Services, Daar Communicatuon PLC, organized an exclusive party for themselves and a few members of the public.
The celebration started few minutes past 2 P.M. with a special broadcast anchored by top On-Air-Personalities on the Yoruba and Pidgin English based station; Banjo Ojedeji who kick-started the broadcast in Yoruba, and Omo Jesu who spoke in Pidgin English to carry the two denomination of audience along. Shortly after the two presenters of note introduced the special broadcast as one meant for the 5th anniversary celebration, Dr. Somide came on the microphone to speak to their teeming audience.
The very articulate broadcaster in both English and Yoruba languages, said the journey so far for the radio station, as smooth as it seemed to the members of the public, had its own ups and downs, but their fighting spirit surmounted all the challenges that reared their ugly heads. He added that what makes Faaji F.M. tick is because the radio station is an avenue where talents meet opportunities. In other words, he revealed that the many talented broadcasters who present programmes on the station are given ample opportunity to showcase themselves through the platform of the station with varieties of interesting programmes. And that is what, according to him, does the magic of Faaji F.M.'s front line position amidst radio stations in the country.
After the brief broadcast, there was cutting of anniversary cake and photo sessions in the studio before the party moved to an alfresco level within the premises of the station where a marquee had been set up and tables and chairs underneath it arranged in banquet form. There was also a stage in the distance for musical performances, and as was in the studio, Banjo Ojedeji and Omo Jesu in their very jocular and witty characters navigated the proceedings.
There was a table for top management staff of the station at the fore front of the marquee. And those who sat there together with Dr. Somide included: Madam Jire Kuforiji, Madam Ibiyemi Olufowobi, Madam Yewande Iwuoha, Madam Abiola Aberuagba and Mr. Johnson Onime. For the event to take off effectively, there was an opening prayer in Muslim way by Imam Mustapha Daud, and in a Christian way by Madam Yewande Iwuoha. And shortly after, Dr. Somide took his opening remarks on the stage.
Apart from briefly tracing the history of independent radio broadcasting in Nigeria which was flagged off in 1993 by Raypower F.M., a sister station to Faaji F.M. and how its success story set off a domino effect of independent radio stations opening in the country, one after the other, he reiterated what he said earlier in the studio about the reason behind the headway of the highflying Faaji F.M. within the last five years. There was general cake cutting exercise and photo session of all the presenters on the station who were in attendance, before a toast to Faaji F.M. at 5 was taken by Madam Ibiyemi Olufowobi.
Without further ado, musical performance began on the stage while eating and drinking went on under the marquee. Some of the artistes that graced the stage with electrifying performances included: Dare Majemu, Yomi Apase Emi, Yetty Swift, Wale Tekoma, Aladesanmi Ibile, Jerryman, Shakirat Wahab Ogo Tuntun, Mega 99, Segun Blessing and Bunmi Akinnanu Adeoye. But Little Angel, an 8 year old girl stole the show with her unbelievably exciting performance, and Ademuyiwa Wikipedia dazzled with his uncanny ability to reel out current affairs off hand, like a human computer.
Some of the top presenters on the radio station who were at the well organised celebration included: Yemi Sounde, Sulaiman Adegbenro Consoligbadun, Otunba Yemi Odunodu, Yemi Ajide Olayinka, Ifankehaleluyah, Goke Babalola, Imalian Boy, Abiodun Oropo, Soji Alabi Famous, Kayode Adejumo, Doyin Olatunji, Dayo Amusan, Skin Dudu, Fatai Bantale, Sina Adegbite, Bidemi Olukuewu, Kokoro Alujanna, Abass Adefulu, Kudirat Asani Olayinka and a host of others.
