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NUJ presidential aspirant flays demolition of Ayefele’s Music House... as BON Condemns Demolition Of Yinka Ayefele’s Radio Station


(R-L) NUJ Presidential Candidate, Comrade Chris Isiguzo flanked by Comrade Rex Arum, State Chairman of NUJ during a peaceful protest in Enugu.
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), presidential aspirant, Chris Isiguzo, has described the destruction of Yinka Ayefele’s Music House in Ibadan as anti-democratic and unacceptable to the media industry.

He warned that every attempt to intimidate the media will only make the professionals more committed to their constitutional mandate as the conscience of the society.

“The destruction of the Music House of Yinka Ayefele in Ibadan is hereby condemned in its entirety.

“The building until its destruction by the Oyo State Government housed FRESH FM Station, Ibadan.

“It is really unfortunate that such a reprehensible act still takes place in a democracy.

“The media played vital role in ensuring the return of Nigeria to a democratic rule and for the same people who have become beneficiaries of the efforts of the media to turn around to engage in mindless attacks against the media is unfortunate,” he said.

Isiguzo regretted that the defence of the Oyo State Government gave to justify the impunity was that the building contravened laid down rules of the state’s town planning authority, describing it as laughable.

“We want to state it categorically that no matter the efforts of anti-democratic forces to undermine, suffocate and intimidate the media, we shall not only remain undaunted but also committed to our constitutional mandate as conscience of the society.

“The Federal Government and, indeed, all men of goodwill should also rise in condemnation of this despicable act. We shall no longer accept this. Enough is enough,” he stated this in a statement.


In the same vein, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has thrown its voice in condemning “in no uncertain terms” the demolition of Fresh FM105.9 by the Oyo State Government.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr John Momoh (OON), on Wednesday, BON said the station was pulled down and journalists thrown into the job market notwithstanding the fact that a case of alleged breach of the Oyo State Town Planning was before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“As an umbrella body of broadcast stations in the country, we find this action not only oppressive and high handed but a demonstration of flagrant muzzling of the media and press freedom which must be condemned by all civilized minds,” the statement read in part.

The partial demolition of the station, which is owned by music artiste Yinka Ayefele, on Sunday has been widely criticised.
The management of the station has also rejected the claim of the state government that the building contravened state laws.

In its reaction to the demolition, BON declared support for Mr Ayefele and called on the media in Nigeria and globally as well as all people of goodwill to condemn the action of the Oyo State government.

“BON stands with the Management and staff of Fresh FM and will support the proprietor of the station, Mr. Yinka Ayefele in demanding compensation from the State Government through any legitimate means necessary,” it said.

“The era of reckless assault on the media, especially by a democratically elected government is over and must be resisted wherever it rears its head.”

Please find BON’s full statement below:
BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS OF NIGERIA (BON) CONDEMNS THE DEMOLITION OF YINKA AYEFELE. RADIO STATION.  
Abuja, 22nd August 2018
The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) condemns in no uncertain terms the demolition of Fresh FM105.9 by the government of Oyo State.

The station was pulled down and journalists thrown into the job market notwithstanding the fact that a case of alleged breach of the Oyo State Town Planning was before a court of competent jurisdiction.

As an umbrella body of broadcast stations in the country, we find this action not only oppressive and high handed but a demonstration of flagrant muzzling of the media and press freedom which must be condemned by all civilized minds. 

We ask the media in Nigeria, our international counterparts and all people of goodwill to stand and condemn the action of the government of Oyo State.

BON stands with the Management and staff of Fresh FM and will support the proprietor of the station, Mr. Yinka Ayefele, in demanding compensation from the State Government through any legitimate means necessary.

The era of reckless assault on the media, especially by a democratically elected government is over and must be resisted wherever it rears its head.

Mr. John Momoh (OON) Chairman Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON)

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