Sam Philip
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sympathised with the management and staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) on the fire outbreak at the Radio Nigeria Broadcasting House in Ikoyi on Wednesday evening.
Sanwo-Olu had, on Thursday, sent a delegation led by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, to deliver his message to the media organisation.
According to a statement signed by Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser to the governor on Media & Publicity,
Omotoso was accompanied by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Gbenga Oyerinde; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile and the Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu.
They visited Radio Nigeria’s Lagos Office in Ikoyi to assess the impact of the inferno that consumed two live studios of the broadcasting house.
The Governor’s representatives went round the facilities and expressed their sympathy to the Radio Nigeria Lagos Operations management and staff for the colossal loss of valuable property and equipment.
The Governor’s representatives urged the media organisation to adopt more safety strategies and engage in training and retraining of staff in handling emergency cases with a promise to assist in such regards.
They expressed the Governor’s sadness on the incident and promised to assist in whatever forms with a challenge to the management to submit a comprehensive report on the incident to the Ministry of Special Duties for more professional guidance.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Omotoso said: “Mr. Governor was very sad when he heard about the incident, and he said we must be here today. We thank God that we had no fatality. We understand what we have lost, but we still have to thank God because the Holy book says in all things we should thank Him.
“We know that this is a national heritage. Many broadcasting giants started from here, and today many of the stations that are in town are taking a clue from this. We feel sad that we have a problem with this kind of monument. Lagos State sympathises with the Federal Government, who is the owner of the station.”
Responding to the good gesture of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, the Director, FRCN Lagos Operations, Mrs. Bolanle Owoyemi, appreciated the Governor and his representatives for associating with the corporation at this trying time.
She assured the public that the two stations, Radio One and Metro FM, will be back on air within the next few hours to the delight of their hundreds of listeners.