The Chief Executive Officer of Benin-based radio station, OJ 106.3 FM, Joy Olabisi Akpaida, on Wednesday said the station was established to bridge the gap between Nigerians at home and those in the Diaspora by telling the Edo story to people abroad and vice versa through online broadcasting.
Akpaida disclosed this while introducing journalists to the new radio station in Benin City, explaining that the station was also created to provide opportunities for talented young people interested in broadcasting but unable to afford airtime.
According to the immediate past Head of Benin Centre of DAAR Communications, owners of AIT/Raypower, the station was conceived to encourage quality programmes and meaningful content rather than focusing solely on financial gains.
She lamented that many owners of broadcast stations have over the years placed money above programme quality, a development she said has remained a major concern to her.
“The essence of what we are talking about is to allow for quality programmes and content, and that was what, you know, gave birth to the drive to own a radio station, so that we can
give all opportunities, with or without money,” she said.Akpaida clarified that programmes with sponsorships or advertisements would not necessarily be aired free of charge.
“Of course, eventually they will pay. For instance if you bring a programme on air, and we know that this programme has an advert in it, you will pay us,” she added.
Speaking on how the station intends to sustain operations while giving room for free programming opportunities, the broadcaster said there are several other areas in broadcasting through which revenue can be generated.
“There are other salient areas in radio broadcasts that you can make money from, beyond what people churn out every other day, our whole news and programmes.
“So we intend to dive into those other areas where we can raise revenue, while we allow opportunity for young minds, quality content programming and, you know, news, to thrive on radio and, well, eventually online,” she said.
Akpaida further disclosed that OJ 106.3 FM would operate actively on all social media platforms round the clock, adding that the station would commence full transmission once approval is granted by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
