The Managing Director of Water Melon Media Limited, based in Sapele, Delta State, Mr. Atseneyinoritse Kofi Teye, has conveyed his disappointment following the losses he incurred due to his failure to obtain a permit to launch a radio station on New Ogorode Road, Ogorode, Sapele, five years after submitting his request. Kofi explained that he decided to establish a radio station in Sapele because locals rely on town criers to share information.
In an interview, he mentioned that despite spending money on the project to improve the circumstances, he had not received any reply from the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC. He stated that key parts of a transformer he purchased for N10,500,000 and set up at the location where activities were supposed to start were stolen, and a facility he bought for N8,000,000 was damaged.
He, nevertheless, stated he would not abandon the investment until NBC provided him with a permit to start operations.
His words: "One reason I chose to launch a radio station is that, in this 21st century, town criers continue to spread information in Sapele by using a tricycle, also called keke. The town criers travel around the town on keke. It's unpleasant, isn't it?"
I was born in Sapele, and my parents were also born and grew up in Sapele. I was employed by the Gulf Oil Company, which eventually became Chevron. I worked with both Gulf Oil and Chevron for a combined period of 31 years.
After retiring, I told myself that, since God had given me so much, I should pursue higher education. However, I was unable to attend a university in Nigeria due to ongoing strikes. Instead, I enrolled at a university in Ghana and eventually graduated.
Students studying English participate in internships via the university's initiative. I completed mine at a radio station in Nigeria, specifically at Cool FM located in Lagos State. They provided me with a certificate from Cool FM to present to the university in Ghana upon completion of the program.
Throughout my internship, I was actively on air. I even garnered praise from others. This experience ignited my ambition to establish a radio station in Sapele, the community I originate from.
I purchased a plot of land that is 150 by 200. It was a marsh situated on New Ogorode Road. I filled the area with sand. During this process, I started the procedure of acquiring a license for the radio station. I shared my dream with Uncle Sam Amuka, the Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, and he offered to help. He is our esteemed uncle from Sapele and a prominent person in the media field.
He called the then Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on the phone about the matter. I provided all the paperwork to NBC. However, prior to Lai Mohammed leaving his position, I was unable to obtain the license to start operations. I spoke with a director at NBC, where my application was, to discover what had occurred. He mentioned that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was unable to approve the list submitted by the Minister before his term ended.
Since the previous President Buhari stepped down, I have discussed this matter with many individuals. Some of them deceived me. When I became weary, I chose to take a break.
Last year, burglars entered the facility and took highly costly electrical cables from the structures intended to supply power to the studio, recording room, and other important equipment.
Between 2024 and 2025, burglars repeatedly entered the radio station's premises. I own a two-story structure there, which includes a security booth, a generator room, a studio, and an office. I observed all these elements at Cool FM during my visit to their site.
Within the radio station, I constructed two studios and a production room. I created two studios as I also planned to establish a television station. The thieves scraped the walls, took all the cables, and even entered the ceiling to remove additional materials. They did the same to the production room. They damaged the whole area.
We had security personnel, but they quit because they didn't want to work during the night. The thieves even created openings in the walls. I don't want to spend my time visiting the police. If you go to a police station now, they will tell you they don't have pens, paper, and other essentials.
I only wish for NBC to explain to the world why they are not granting me approval. If I possess a license, I will import the transmitter from another country. This is my nation. I intend to invest here, generate employment, and add value to the economy. This is one way I can assist in the development of Sapele, Delta State, and Nigeria.
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Tagged: Nigeria, Press and Media, West Africa
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