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Why govt marked Gospel singer Ayefele’s radio station for demolition

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3 months after demolition, Oyo govt begins reconstruction of Ayefele's Fresh FM building

The impending demolition of Fresh FM 105.9, Ibadan owned by gospel singer Ayefele is due to a programme aired on the station which was considered to be anti-government.

That much information was revealed by a news director at the station, Samson Akindele who once revealed in his Facebook page in the year 2012 that the building housing the radio station was initially marked for demolition at the time but was spared when Governor Abiola Ajimobi intervened.

“Our dear governor even visited our studio about two years ago and appreciated the fact that he was not led into demolishing the building, paying glowing tributes to the aesthetics of the studios and the richness of our programming, some of the reasons he accepted our invitation to appear live on the special interview programme.

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“He also clearly stated on that show that words had reached him that he should not allow the building to stand because Dr Yinka Ayefele was not a friend of his administration but he told them that someone who is not a friend today could (be) one tomorrow.

“Between then and now, what has changed? No new road being constructed or a road expansion being executed. But the relationship between Fresh FM and the state government has been anything but cordial, even as we have, on several occasions, acknowledged the giant strides of the administration in security and infrastructural developments,” he said.

However, the Oyo State government has insisted that they will go ahead with the planned demolition of Yinka Ayefele’s Music House, and others noting that the demolition notice given the organisation was not based on sentiments or witch-hunting.

According to Toye Arulogun, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, the state government observed that property owners in the state are deviating from the originally approved building plans without seeking physical planning approvals from the Oyo State Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control.

Reports say the contravention notices were served to different organisations since June 14, 2017 including all radio stations in the state that flouted government rules.

 

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