Radio Nigeria Wins Best Radio Station of the Year

By Innocent Onoh

The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria,FRCN, has won the best RADIO STATION of the year, under the NBC Special prize category at the 30th edition of the Nigeria Media Merit Awards, NMMA, held in Lagos.

Also Mr. Esahu Stephen of Programmes department at the Corporation’s Headquarters was declared Radio Producer of the year.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Director, Lagos operations of the FRCN, Mrs. Bolanle Owoyemi, the General Manager, Bond FM, Princess Adenike Adegoke, expressed joy for the award and promised that the Corporation would not relent in its philosophy of uplifting the people and uniting the nation.

She assured the organisers that FRCN would strive to sustain its high standards in the nation’s broadcast industry.

“This means a big thing to us because we are winning again. We want to say a big thank you to the Nigeria Media Merit Award and its committees for putting this up. This means we are doing well and we shall continue to doing well. All hands will be on deck to ensure that we remain the flagship of broadcasting in Nigeria”, Owoyemi said.

In his remark, the Minister of lnformation and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who represented President Mohammandu Buhari commended all the award recipients for being outstanding.

He noted that the major reason for hosting the event in Lagos was to showcase the success stories of the state to the world.

According to the president, Lagos has become an undisputable hub for music , sports and entertainment, just as it is home for world class tourist attractions and fashion capital of Africa.

“The Nigeria Media Merit Award has helped to foster media excellence which is one of the foremost in Africa. The theme for this year’s edition, which is Projecting Lagos as centre of excellence beyond Africa is aimed at projecting Lagos to the world.”
“Lagos has become an undisputable hub for music, sports and entertainment not only in Nigeria but Africa at large”.
” Lagos provides a beautiful mix of business and culture, and boasts of being a world class tourist attraction. It is also the fashion capital of Africa”.
“We must not forget the iconic National Theatre built in 1976, a section of the newly refurbished edifice, has been completed, with four sections designed for fashion, music, film and ICT, the National Theatre is set to be the Lagos creative and entertainment centre”. “Thanks to the partnership between the Federal Government and the Bankers’ Committee, heavily supported by the Lagos State Government”, he said.

On his part, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu said the Nigerian Media deserved accolades for its immersed role in the evolution of the country and growth of the nation’s democracy.

Mr. Sanwo-olu noted that the media has done so well in advancing the vision of free and independent nation and that Nigerians have always counted on them for agenda-setting.

The governor who celebrated the winners in various categories of the awards and the organisers for sustaining the initiative, however urged journalists to strive to uphold the ethics of their profession, especially at this time of election.

He pledged the commitment of his administration to provide a conducive environment for journalists to operate in Lagos.

“It’s a great delight to be the host of this event as Lagos is the melting point of media engagement in Nigeria”.
“The Nigeria Media Merit Award has upheld the vision of the founding fathers and surpassed expectations of many”.
“The Media has occupied a critical position in evolution of the country and advanced the vision of free and independent nation”.
“I will not complete this remark without acknowledging the contributions of the media”

“To the awardees, more is expected from them.
My appeal to the media is for them to uphold professional ethics and there should be no room for bad eggs in the industry.”

“My administration will continue to provide conducive environment for journalists to practice in Lagos.
” Our administration is committed to providing good governance and dividends of democracy and will definitely require the partnership and contribution of the fourth Estate of the Realm as we proceed on this journey”.

Earlier, the Chairman of NMMA ,Dr. Haruna Adamu had thanked the President and Lagos State Governor for their support, while also commending the founding fathers of the Award for sustaining the event every year, aimed at celebrating media Professionals for doing so much for the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu was among dignitaries that attended the ceremony.

Over 800 entries were received as against 500 last year.