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Tag: ayefele

  • Demolition: Ajimobi, Ayefele, Alaafin in closed door meeting

    There are indications that the ongoing rift between the Oyo State government and the Proprietor of Fresh FM, Ibadan, Dr Yinka Ayefele would soon be over, as the popular gospel musician is currently in a meeting with Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state.

    Ayefele who arrived the Agodi Governors office at about 11:30, Friday, was led in by a leading governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Joseph Tegbe, in company of David Ajiboye, a director with Yinka Ayefele limited, Isaac Brown, a radio host and other officials.

    On arrival at the governor office, Ayefele was ushered into a private waiting area awaiting the arrival of the governor.

    Upon arrival in the office, the governor however went straight into the Executive chamber, where the executive members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were waiting.

    Meanwhile, the visit of Ayefele to the Government Secretariat coincided with that of the traditional rulers from Oyo town and Oke Ogun who were at the governor office to greet the governor in the spirit of the Eid-Al-Adha festivities.

    The traditional rulers numbering over thirty, made up of first class and second class from the zones were led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

    But immediately after the meeting with the NURTW members who were on a condolence visit, the governor proceeded into the private suite to meet Ayefele and his team.

    Ajimobi was accompanied into the private meeting by Oba Adeyemi, the Eleruwa of Eruwa Oba Samuel Adegbola, Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiy Adekunle, Iba of Kishiland, Oba Moshood Aweda, Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oyediran among others.

    With the governor at the meeting which is ongoing as at the time of filing this report is the Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, the Director General, Bureau of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Waheed Gbadamosi, who also doubles as the Special Adviser to Governor Ajimobi on Physical Planning and Development Control, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, APC guber aspirant, Tegbe and some aides.

    The meeting is expected to address and proffer a political solution to the issues being generated by the partial demolition of the structure which is valued at N800million.

    Controversies, kudos and knocks have since Sunday been trailing the decision of the government to demolish part of Music House building housing the radio station, located at Aare Arisekola Alao Way, Challenge Area, Ibadan.

    Sources privy to the discussions at the meeting informs that the Governor who expresses willingness to let the matter lay to rest insisted that neither himself nor his government had any issue with either Ayefele as a person nor Fresh FM but with the structure housing the radio station.

    According to him, the issue is a battle for the supremacy of rule or law and respect for the laws of the land.

    The source added that, as expected of every entrepreneurs who should at least be politically neutral, business as such should not have friend nor enemy in the discharge of her service to the public.

    The govern was said to have enjoined Ayefele and his team to mind their utterances and what people send to the public domain in their name, pointing out that that was the reason the issue had generated unnecessary heat but that such will not deter the government from doing the needful in respecting the rule of law.

    Earlier, the Alaafin in a short remarks had appealed to the Governor to temper justice with mercy on the issue and allow for peaceful and amicable resolution of the matter.

    Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi with Gov Ajimobi of Oyo State during a visit of Alaafin and other Obas to Gov Ajimobi in Ibadan on Thursday

    The first class monarch was quoted to have said in the appeal that allowing sound reason to prevail without laying claim to who was right and who was wrong would help douse the tension generated by the matter and foster peaceful mutual coexistence describing Ayefele as a good son, to which the governor was said to have agreed.

    Ayefele was reported to have apologise to the governor acknowledging that he erred in some ways, saying all his moves to see the governor before the eventual partial demolition was unfruitful and that he regretted not coming personally to see the governor instead of doing so in writing and by proxy.

    He was said to have expressed readiness for peaceful and amicable resolution of the matter in the interest of peace.

    After about thirty minutes of discussion and outpouring of minds, the Governor and the traditional rulers stepped out and headed for the Government House, where the governor was expected to host the traditional rulers to a reception in the spirit of the Eid-Al-Adha festivities.

    Governor Ajimobi however instructed the team of his officials to continue the meeting and come out with a mutually consented stand.

    The meeting is still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.

    More details later…..

  • NBC condemns demolition of Fresh FM by Oyo govt.

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NNBC ) has condemned the demolition of the structure housing the Fresh FM in Ibadan by the Oyo State Government.

    The Director-General of NBC, Ishaq Midibbo-Kawu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, said the demolition was a worrisome development and did not speak well of the state government.

    The structure, “Music House, ” reportedly valued at N800 million and which had been in operation for 10 years, was demolished in the early hours of Sunday.

    The property is owned by a popular musician, Yinka Ayefele.

    Kawu said: “The development is worrisome because for all it is worth, the broadcast outfits are playing a big role in reducing unemployment, especially in this situation where many young Nigerians are idle.

    “They also play social, informational, educational and entertaining roles in the society.

    “Such development does not speak well of the government and has a negative effect on the nation, especially at a point when more broadcasting outfits are influencing the social space in the country.

    “In this case particularly, there are so many issues that can be weaved up negatively by people.

    “We hope that as we move forward, we will be able to find a solution to the situation,” Modibbo-Kawu said.

    The director-general said when the NBC got hint of the demolition, he made some contacts with some people in the state.

    Kawu said that he could, however, not stop it.

    The NBC boss promised to set up a meeting with the state government on finding a way forward on the issue.

    The NBC boss recalled a similar experience in Nasarawa State about a year ago when the property housing Breeze 99.9 FM was demolished.

    “What we did was to meet our licensee to find out what the issues were because he was prepared to go to court.

    “We also met with the state Commissioner for Information and the Governor.

    “The issue also was that the building violated the usage of urban space.

    “We were able to reach an agreement that the government should give the broadcaster a new plot of land and assist him to go back to building a new station.

    “However, just last week, I got a letter that the side of the government in the agreement had not been fulfilled,” he said.

    Modibbo-Kawu also clarified the recent media report that his commission banned some songs, saying Nigerians must understand the statutory mandate of the NBC.

    “It is important to let Nigerians understand that NBC does not ban any song.

    “I read on social media platforms all the time that NBC banned a song; the commission never bans any song.

    “What NBC does all the time is to remind our licensees that there are certain categorisation of music that are important in broadcasting.

    “If a song is categorised, “Not To Be Broadcast” (NTBB) because of the lyrics of the song, then, we will remind the broadcasters that they cannot be broadcast.

    “This is what it is misinterpreted in the social media that we banned the song,” he said

    The director general also refuted the allegation that NBC was “carrying out a Jihad on Nigerian songs” based on a petition by a faith-based human rights organisation, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

    He stressed that the NBC did not carry out any Jihad, but only responded to a song on a radio station because it had lyrics that were NTBB.

    Kawu gave an assurance that the Federal Government, through the NBC, would not infringe on artistic liberty or licence.

    He, however, reminded artistes and broadcast organisations of their responsibilities to Nigerians and the youths, in particular.

    “Last week, I issued a press release to urge Nigerian artistes to have different versions of their songs.

    “They should do a version that can be used for public broadcast space and another version for club usage which can carry all kinds of lyrics that they want.

    “If they want their songs to be broadcast on radio and television in Nigeria, these songs must conform to rules and must be songs that young people can listen to,” he said.

    He disclosed that the commission was planning a national dialogue with Nigeria leading artistes on the need to avoid vulgar lyrics and hate speeches in their songs.

    “The truth of the matter is that 75 per cent of our population is under the age of 35 while 63 per cent is under the age of 25, so we have a younger population.

    “If you go on Youtube, Olamide song, “Wo” has over 10 million hits.

    “ That tells you the kind of influence these young artistes have on all our children in the country.

    “They should help to orientate the young people on the right values.

    “If their songs celebrate sex, violence, the use of drugs, alcohol and fraud, then they are not helping in the moulding of young people

    “We believe that the young generation who listen to them can be guided through the use of their artistic works to play functional social purposes in the society,” he said.

    He said the dialogue would focus on the need for the artistes to use their music to propagate positive messages about development.

  • SERAP to Ajimobi: Repair Ayefele’s building or face legal action

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, ( SERAP ) has sent an open letter to the Governor of Oyo State,  Abiola Ajimobi requesting him to “immediately halt all further eviction and demolition of Fresh FM building and to show full respect for the safety and dignity of residents and owner of Fresh FM.

    We also urge you to immediately begin repairs of the Fresh FM building and to adequately compensate the radio station and its owner and publicly guarantee non-repetition.”

    The organization urged Ajimobi to “ensure full and effective respect for the rights to freedom of expression and media freedom in Oyo State. We request that you take this step within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will take national and international legal actions to compel your government to act in the public interest and the overall interest of the rule of law.”

    In the letter  dated 21 August 2018 and signed by SERAP deputy director Timothy Adewale the organization said, “We have information to suggest that the destruction of Fresh FM was based on political considerations and retaliation against the radio station on purported allegations of defamation against you. The facts suggest that the demolition of Fresh FM building failed to comply with the principle of lawfulness and reasonableness. The demolition was neither done in the public interest nor carried out to achieve a legitimate aim.”

    The organization said, “This apparently unlawful action has set a bad precedent, and created a high level of uncertainty and anxiety among many radio stations and other media organizations in Oyo State about the future because of the likelihood of their buildings being demolished when they are deemed to broadcast views which the Oyo State authorities may consider too critical or ‘defamatory’.”

  • Ayefele sues Oyo govt over demolition

    •Court orders service of processes on Oyo govt
    •Protesters storm Fresh FM building

    Popular musician and Chief Executive Officer of a private radio station, Fresh FM 109.5 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Yinka Ayefela, has sued the state government for its planned demolition of his Music House, the building housing the radio station.

    The building is located on the Lagos-Ibadan by-pass in Challenge area of Ibadan.

    The government marked the building for demolition for allegedly contravening the state’s planning laws.

    But Ayefele, in a statement on Wednesday, said the demolition notice was a witch-hunt.

    He sued the government at a State High Court in Ibadan, seeking an order restraining the government from demolishing the property, pending the determination of the suit.

    In an ex parte motion, Ayefele’s lawyer Olayinka Bolanlen said due process was followed in the construction of the structure.

    The lawyer said approvals were obtained from the state’s relevant departments and agencies.

    But Justice Iyabo Yerima ordered the claimant to ensure service of the court process on the respondent.

    The judge held that there were “serious issues to be determined” in the suit filed.

    She adjourned the matter till August 20 for hearing of the ex parte motion.

    Also, a crowd of sympathisers and Fresh FM fans yesterday besieged the station in solidarity with the popular musician.

    Carrying placards with various inscriptions, such “Obey rule of law”; “Fresh FM must stand”, among others, the protesters pleaded with the state government to shelf the demolition plan.

    They praised the station as a “credible source of up-to-date information” on developments in the country and the state.

     

  • Ayefele in battle to save his Music House building from demolition

    Popular musician Yinka Ayefele yesterday began the battle to save his Music House on a plot of land on Lagos-Ibadan bye-pass in Challenge area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, from demolition.

    The government issued a notice for the demolition of the building, saying the property owner had allegedly ignored its requests for the owner to obey its notice.

    The three-day notice lapsed yesterday.

    The building houses Ayefele’s Fresh FM, which is among the top private radio stations in the state.

    The Director of Corporate Affairs and Promotions, David Ajiboye, stirred the controversy when he wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday evening that the demolition notice was issued because “the staff canteen in the premises was not approved, the spiral staircase was not in the approved plan, the mast was not in the approved plan and the fence was not in the approved plan”.

    Ajiboye added: “…Therefore, the entire N800 million edifice where almost 150 people make their daily bread has to go down. You are all invited to the demolition show at the Music House tomorrow.”

    Expectedly, the post generated criticisms of the planned exercise across Ibadan.

    But in a statement, the government said the demolition notice to Music House, Fresh FM 105.9 Ibadan was not based on sentiments or witch-hunting.

    It said contravention notices were served to different organisations since June 14, last year, including all radio stations in the state.

    The government said Music House ignored its request for an application for a new building plan, having established, through an inspection, that the building violated its original plan.

    The building owner allegedly ignored government request.

    The statement by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, also said property owners were deviating from the originally approved building plans without seeking physical planning approvals from the State Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control.

    The commissioner said the government decision to demand for the building approved plan was not peculiar to Fresh FM.

    He said several companies and institutions, such as the University of Ibadan (UI), Kola Daisi University, University College Hospital (UCH), banks and radio stations, were similarly asked to provide their approved plans.

    According to him, the government recently demolished several banks’ ATM extensions and some local government structures.

    Arulogun said the letter to Fresh FM was received by Bamiduro Aderonke and a reminder letter, dated August 18, last year, was sent to the radio station to request for the planning approval/permit for the radio station, in line with the Oyo State Physical and Development Control laws.

    Under the statute, the commissioner said the radio station was expected to forward the approved building plan to the bureau within seven days.

    He added that a copy of the letter was received by Adebisi Akinfunmi on August 21, last year.

    Arulogun said the submitted building approval was meant for an office complex and not a radio station, thereby contravening the Oyo State Physical Planning and Development Control laws, sections 30, 31 and 32 of Oyo State Physical Planning and Urban Development Law of 2012.

    The commissioner recalled that the submitted approval from Music House deviated from the approved plan, which made the approval null and void because deceitful information was given to the approving authority and deviation from the approval granted in construction and use.

    He said a physical inspection was carried out on June 25 to ascertain the extent of the deviation from the approval.

    Arulogun said it was discovered that apart from the change in the use of the building, spatial standards in setback, airspace and parking spaces were found to be grossly inadequate.

    The commissioner recalled that a letter was sent to Music House on June 29 to submit a fresh building plan application that would reflect existing structures on site.

    He added noting that the radio house “deliberately” ignored the letter, as there was no response from the owner’s end till date.

    Arulogun noted that the deviant posture of the radio station prompted the bureau to serve a three-day demolition nNotice on August 13, which expired yesterday.

    The commissioner said the government had also received petitions arising from three fatal accidents that occurred around Music House in the last nine months.

    He said the petitioners urged the government to look at the physical structure of the organisation in relation to the dual carriage way which could easily cause accidents.

    Arulogun emphasised that the government would follow due process in accordance with the laws of the land but would not dignify or elevate the recalcitrant attitude of Fresh FM.

    Also, Ayefele yesterday described the state government’s claim on the demolition notice served against his building as a mere excuse to defend its hidden plan to pull down the property.

    In a personal statement in Ibadan, Ayefele, who is the Chairman/CEO of Yinka Ayefele Limited, said the construction of Music House followed due process.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to a purported press release by Mr Arulogun …that the Music House complex contravenes planning laws and is responsible for three fatal accidents that occurred on the road in the last nine months on which the government had received petitions.

    “We want to make it clear that Music House followed due process in the construction of the building and got relevant approvals from state departments and agencies associated with land and buildings.

    “Saying that Music House complex is responsible for three accidents that occurred on the road in the last nine months is just an attempt by the commissioner to run away from his shadow. How can a reasonable person say that?

    “It is not news that the governor himself said some politicians came to him to demolish the Music House complex because Ayefele is not in their camp and he also sang against them…”

  • Ekiti celebrates Sade Adu, Falz, Ayefele, others with concert

    Ekiti celebrates Sade Adu, Falz, Ayefele, others with concert

    The Ekiti State Government in conjunction with an entertainment promoter, ScoopConcepts Media, has concluded arrangements to celebrate illustrious Ekiti entertainers who have put the state on global recognition including Sade Adu, Falz, Odunlade Adekola and Yinka Ayefele.

    Others include Sola Sobowale, Odunlade Adekola, Fade Ogunro, Sesan Ogunro, Mayd, Kemi Adetiba, Yinka Ayefele, Tosin Adarabioyo, Phlex, Sasha, Bukky Fagbuyi, Tope Tedela, Teni Ola, Niniola, Mosunmola Filani, Foluke Daramola, Dr Frabz, Puffytee, and Fliptyce.

    The Ekiti-born leading artistes will be celebrated at Ekiti State All-Star Concert 2017 scheduled for November 25 to honour them as Youth Ambassadors for putting their home state on the global entertainment map.

    Addressing a news conference in Ado-Ekiti to herald the event, Chief Executive Officer of ScoopConcepts Media, Mr. Sunday Kolawole, explained that the show was also conceived to lay foundation for role modelling for future stars in the industry.

    He explained further that All-Star Concert would also serve as a veritable avenue to showcase Ekiti State to the outside world and a means to positively channel the focus of the young generation to using showbiz as a launching pad to greatness.

    Kolawole said: “The objective of this is to celebrate our own on their land. It will be an opportunity to bring together the people of Ekiti on one common ground.

    “Ekiti is blessed with great talents and legends, who have created exceptional reputation for themselves in the entertainment industry, locally and internationally”.

    Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Lanre Ogunsuyi, said the state government fully supports the show to positively engage the youths and draw them away from crime and anti-social vices.

    He said: “This is just parts of efforts geared towards galvanising the youths and get them constructively engaged rather than leaving them to engage in cultism kidnapping and other vices.

    “We have left the era of Certificate but talents. The era is about what you can bring to the table and discover, showcase, and exposed the budding talents that is abound in the youths.

    The Director of Arts, Tourism and Culture in the Bureau of Arts and Culture, Mr Banji Adelusi, said the show would afford the state government to showcase tourist sites in the state like Ikogosi Warm Spring, Arinta Waterfalls, Ogun Onire Groove, among others.

  • Tubaba, Osupa, Ayefele Storm Ekiti for arahfest 2017

    Tubaba, Osupa, Ayefele Storm Ekiti for arahfest 2017

    Three promiment music stars, Innocent Idibia a.k.a. Tubaba, Saheed Osupa and Yinka Ayefele, are expected to perform at Aramoko Heritage Festival (ARAHFEST) show in Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

    Festival Director, Prof. Ojo Rasaki Bakare, disclosed this at a press briefing and unveiling of the festival logo in Aramoko-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti West Local Government Area.

    The festival which holds between 9th and 11th November 2017 will also feature Miss Aramoko Beauty Pageant, carnivals at the four quarters of the town, arts and crafts exhibition and homage to the Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, Oba Adegoke Olu Adeyemi.

    Bakare, the first Professor of Dance in Africa, said the organisers had entered into discussion with a brewery, a telecommunications firm and other corporate organisations to bankroll the festival.

    The Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) don said ARAHFEST aims to project the culture and tourism potentials of Aramoko community which is a historic Yoruba town.

    Bakare revealed that series of training will be organised for youths and adults that will participate at the carnival with experts invited from outside of the state for that purpose.

    He said: “The festival was conceived to engage the youths of the town and take them away from criminality and negativity. Many of them have been idle and their hands have become workshop for the devil.

    “We want our youths to be busy positively and that is why we have loaded the festival with youth-related activities. Every activity will be a competition among the youths from the four quarters of the town.

    “We are bringing in Tuface, Yinka Ayefele, Saheed Osupa to be supported by local musicians. There will also be indigenous carnival to be performed by traditionalists, hunters, blacksmiths, farmers who will wear various constumes.”

    President of Aramoko Development Association (ADA), Dr. Dipo Aladeloye, said ARAHFEST is being redesigned, remodelled and rebranded from the old “Ara Day”  to showcase the culture and tradition of the town.

    The Alara, Oba Adeyemi said: “This festival will go a very long way to develop them. The festival would also motivate our youths to identify their talents and make good use of them.”

  • I’m still a Christian, Ayefele cries out

    I’m still a Christian, Ayefele cries out

    Popular gospel singer, YinkaAyefele, has debunked the rumourthat he has converted to Islam.

    His publicist, David Ajiboye, maintained that the ace gospel crooner is still a Christian and has no reason whatsoever to renounce his faith.

    Ajiboye explained: “We believe the rumour must have emanated from the annual Ramadan lecture, which Fresh 105.9FM Ibadan owned by Ayefele, organised on Tuesday.

    “Our station had invited popular Islamic preacher, Alhaji Muideen Ajani Bello, as the guest preacher at our annual Ramadan lecture, which had over 4,000 people in attendance and because of this, some naïve minds went to town to spread the rumour about Ayefele’s conversion.”

    Ajiboye stated further that the station exists for the benefits of all, regardless of religion, race or colour.

    “We believe it is part of our social responsibility to organise such a spiritual rebirth programme to sensitise our Muslim listeners on the ideals of Islam most especially in this holy season,” he said.

  • AYEFELE, PASUMA, OTHERS FOR FEMI SOLAR ALBUM LAUNCH

    WITH less than one month to the launching of Femi Solar’s album, which he called Mercy Beyond, the Jasa gospel crooner is set to leave no stone unturned; Solar, as gathered, has been in and out of the studio for the past weeks to put final touches to his latest work.

    The album, according to Solar, will be launched on April 10, 2016 as leading gospel singer, Yinka Ayefele and Fuji musician Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, are expected to lead others to Genesis Suites and Hall, Challenge, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    “Wasiu Alabi Pasuma has been pencilled down as the star artiste of the day,” Solar said.

    “Pasuma is coming to rock the city of Ibadan. I can confirm that to you. He’s not the only one coming that day, but I would not like to reveal much now.”

    The gospel singer on the same day will launch his latest video, entitled Grace.

    “I have been working on this project for more than eight months and I am glad that things are already taking the shape that I want. My team and I have been working to ensure that everything works according to plan. I will be launching my new video, Grace on that day as well, so you can see that it is going to be an afternoon that will be loaded with lots of activities,” he added.

    Solar seventh work featured the likes of Adegbodu twins, Mega 99, Prince Abel Dosumu and other artistes.

  • How hoodlums attacked Ayefele

    How hoodlums attacked Ayefele

    On the aftermath of the attack by hoodlums on gospel crooner, Yinka Ayefele, last Saturday in Akure, Ondo State, the artiste has been hospitalised following impact of the injuries he sustained.

    According to information, the popular musician was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Ado Ekiti where he had gone to honour the invitation of the Ekiti State government to perform at the World Teachers Day organised by the state government.

    A release signed by his Publicist, Mr. David Ajiboye disclosed that the physically challenged artiste was hit with a plank on his chest during the attack on Saturday in Akure.

    “Yinka Ayefele, MON, was attacked by hoodlums on the outskirt of Akure on Saturday October 3, during the burial party of Madam Ebunoluwa Lydia Odumakinde where he was contracted to perform with his band members.

    “The hoodlums, after collecting N200,000 from the artiste as ‘settlement’ later demanded for a sum of N500,000 which did not go down well with Ayefele and in the process of the argument, he was hit on the chest by a plank which was thrown at him,” the statement read.

    The release also added that Ayefele’s Ford Explorer was vandalized and his recently acquired N150 million musical equipment was not spared. “The hoodlums vandalised the newly acquired musical equipment and the truck while his new Ford Explorer 2015 model SUV was also vandalised, as well.”

    Only last year, the versatile singer, was hit by a sad incident when his abode in the Felele area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was engulfed by fire.

    Ayefele became a household name when he was involved in a ghastly auto accident in 1997, that led to a damage in his spinal cord and paralyzed him from the waist down.