FM 91.7, the female-centric radio station, which also caters for men and the family, was formally presented to the public last Friday at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The launch was attended by 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 were transmitted live and the world listened and contributed from Africa, United States and the United Kingdom. ý
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 ýdiscrimination against women.
Mrs. Buhari who was represented by 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.
ýDirector General of National Broadcasting Commission,(NBC) Emeka Mba,, 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 insecurityý 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, 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.
