A first radio station for women and the family in Nigeria may hit the airwaves; THISDAY investigation has revealed. According to a source within the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the body has issued licence to St. Ives Communications to operate a specialised radio station for women and the family. The station which is coming with the name WFm, is licensed to broadcast to Nigerian homes on 91.7 frequency modulation dial.
The gender sensitive radio communication initiative is the brainchild of the Chief Medical Director at St. Ives Specialist Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Tunde Okewale, and veteran broadcast journalist, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, a director of St. Ives Communications.
As the unique, women and family-focused radio station WFM 91.7, formally commences operations in preparation for its test transmission, the station management has revealed that it has been going through a painstaking process of talent discovery and outstanding personality to deliver on the unique operations target at a niche segment of the society – women, the men in their lives and the family.
The selection and talent discovery process reached an advanced stage recently with short listing of possible voices and faces that will drive the station’s broadcast operations. According to the station’s management, the voices and faces of the station will be unveiled formally within the next couple of weeks.
A source quoting one of the brains behind the organisation revealed that the rigorous selection process has produced some “unbelievable talents and brilliant individuals” that would make the station, the delight of the listening public.
The talent discovery exercise which is part of the build up to the female gender and family oriented radio station’s launch, involved rigorous interview sessions with over 1,500 applicants jostling for positions at the organization as on-air-personalities, presenters, reporters editors, producers, and other support staff among others.
The talent discovery exercise which is part of the build up to the female gender and family oriented radio station’s launch, involved rigorous interview sessions with over 1,500 applicants jostling for positions at the organization as on-air-personalities, presenters, reporters editors, producers, and other support staff among others.
According to Toun Okewale Sonaiya, the interview exercise was painstakingly thorough and arduous. “When we sent out call for applications, the response was overwhelming. We received over 5,000 applications initially. We trimmed the applications down to less than two thousand after the initial chat with the applicants. And from the over 1,500 applicants interviewed, the judges shortlisted 15 for auditioning. The selected talents that will be voices and faces of the station will be unveiled soon,” she said.
Dr. Wale is said to have been inspired to conceive the idea of a radio station for women and their family having worked and relate closely with female clients as a specialist in gynaecologist and have come to understand the plight of Nigerian women and their struggle to be heard.
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