WFM 91.7, the female-centric radio station, which also caters for men and the family, was formally presented to the public on Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Nigeria.
The launch was clothed with high class glamour as top celebrities across various strata of society, led by the wife of Nigeria’s president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, graced the occasion.
The grand event, with the theme: Using Radio as a Tool for Women Development, has been described as epoch-making in the history of radio broadcasting in Nigeria. The proceedings of the event was transmitted live and the world listened and contributed from Africa, United States and the United Kingdom.
Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, an oil tycoon, fashion designer and philanthropist who was the keynote speaker at the event, challenged women on the issues of development in the 21st century. Alakija noted that WFM has started a movement to inspire and unite women for development in Nigeria and Africa. She emphasised that women cannot be ignored in the process of development of nations and therefore urged government and society to remove all forms of discrimination against women.
Mrs. Buhari who was represented by Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a former legislator and broadcaster described the promoters of WFM as a team of missionaries on a journey to emancipate women and their families.
Emeka Mba, the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission , NBC, who was represented by Mrs. Bunmi Cole, Director of Lagos Zone, maintained that the Nigerian society will be better with the launch of the station. He noted that more specialised radio stations like WFM will allow for more creativity in the broadcasting industry.
Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine enjoined the promoters of the station to sustain the noble ideas behind the project. The celebrity journalist, who wrote his M.Sc thesis on the oppression of women in Africa, described WFM as the voice of women in Nigeria and Africa.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya the CEO of WFM 91.7 said women are key to finding solutions to the global problems of insecurity and poverty and promised that WFM91.7 will be part of the global march to provide security and prosperity.
When WFM91.7 hits the airwaves on Monday, November 16, 2015, the radio station, primed to be a reliable, leading and trusted source of all information and matters of interests for women and their families, has engaged in issues of local, national and international importance to all.
Personalities who graced the event included the Lagos deputy governor, Mrs Oluranti Adebule, who was represented by the Head of Service, HoS, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, Dr Olatunde Ayeni, Chief Mrs Sade Okoya, Oloris Olabisi & Yetunde Tejuoso, Joke Silva, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Funmi Ajila, Seun Olagunju, Shy Shy who flew in from UK, Ambrose Somide amongst other dignitaries.
Many radio listeners agreed that the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC made a wise decision by licensing Nigeria’s first radio station for women. Not a few listeners also averred that the radio station has commenced operation with a dazzling array of on-air-personalities with unparalleled international exposure needed to drive the medium to the zenith of radio broadcasting in Nigeria. Some of these personalities include Tito Bez-Idakula, Funmi Jinadu and Bisola Aiyeola.
When the broadcast industry regulator, NBC issued the operating licence to St. Ives Communications to operate the radio station, little did the industry umpire know it was history in the making.
The gender-sensitive radio station, which is perhaps the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa, is strategically positioned to deliver on unique operational content that is targeted at a niche segment of the society –WOMEN.
“Though licensed for women, the radio station’s programming content is designed to also cater for the men and the family by engaging on issues of local, national and international importance to all. The station will address everyday issues of interest for women, the men in their lives and their families,” Okewale-Sonaiya said on Friday