Five years after the launch of Agidigbo FM in Ibadan, its founder, Oriyomi Hamzat, has revisited the historic commissioning by Seyi Makinde, offering a detailed and emotional account of what transpired that day, including promises made and clarifications about his relationship with the governor.
Speaking on air, Hamzat was emphatic in correcting public assumptions. “Agidigbo was not built by Governor Seyi Makinde. I didn’t get any contract from Governor Seyi Makinde, and I’ve never approached Governor Seyi Makinde for personal gains,” he declared. “Anytime I go to the corridor of power, it is not for my own personal gain, it is because of the people.”
Recalling the events leading to the commissioning, he said, “I remember five years ago when I spoke with Mr. Governor. I told him I wanted him to come on a Thursday, and he said he had somewhere to go, but he will definitely come.” True to his word, Makinde showed up, albeit later than expected. “Though he came late, he came around 5 p.m., and people were not angry. They were very happy,” Hamzat added.
The atmosphere of that day, according to him, was unforgettable. “People were plenty that day. The policemen were much. Crowd gathered to witness everything,” he said. “I wanted it to be written in record that it would be Agidigbo FM that would be the only private radio station the governor will launch, and God made it so.”
Hamzat spoke vividly about the governor’s remarks during the commissioning. “He made it clear with what he said that day that anytime I came to the government house or secretariat, I did not come for my own personal gain,” he recalled. “He said it himself that I have never collected any contract from him, that I never came for my own interest it is for the people.”
The broadcaster also quoted Makinde’s reaction to the station’s workforce. “He said he is so happy that everybody I employed are youths. He was so impressed and happy that day,” Hamzat said, describing it as one of the governor’s most notable commendations.
Among the most important parts of that day were the promises made by the governor. “He said he is going to tar the road at the front of the radio station, and he is going to provide street light,” Hamzat stated. “Those two things the tarring of the road and the street light were his two major promises that day.”
He further narrated a personal moment in his office with the governor. “When he entered my office, he prayed that God would make it big,” Hamzat said. “He said he is so happy that something like this is happening in Oyo State and particularly in Ibadan.”
The conversation took an interesting turn when the governor assumed the building was rented. “He said, ‘This place does not look like you rented it,’ and I told him I built it myself,” Hamzat revealed. “He was so surprised. He looked up, saw the CMD office, and said maybe this is where I am going that people are jealous and hate me.”
Hamzat responded confidently at the time. “I told him, ‘We have not even reached where we are going to,’” he recounted, adding that the governor responded with prayers and encouragement for greater success.
Reflecting on the early days of Agidigbo FM, Hamzat described the journey as challenging but meaningful. “The beginning was very rough. It didn’t look realistic, but everything started getting meaningful, small, small,” he said. “We brought many kinds of programs that are very unique, things that are not being done somewhere else.”
He emphasized the station’s community-driven approach. “We entered as if we are doing a charity organisation, even though it is a radio station,” he explained. “That is how we started it, and that is how we have continued.”
Five years on, Hamzat said nothing has changed in terms of commitment and consistency. “We have been using 24 hours per day since we started this radio station up to today 24 hours, and nothing has changed,” he concluded, underscoring the station’s enduring dedication to service and the people of Oyo State.
