The female-centric radio station, which also caters for men and the family, WFM 91.7, has been formally presented to the public in Lagos, Nigeria.
The launch was clothed with high class glamour as top celebrities across various strata of society, led by the wife of Nigeria’s president, Aisha Buhari, graced the occasion.
The grand event, with the theme: Using Radio as a Tool for Women Development, was described as epoch-making in the history of radio broadcasting in Nigeria.
The proceedings of the event was transmitted live and the world listened and contributed from Africa, United States and the United Kingdom.
Folorunsho Alakija, an oil tycoon, fashion designer and philanthropist who was the keynote speaker at the event, challenged women on the issues of development in the 21st century.
Alakija noted that WFM has started a movement to inspire and unite women for development in Nigeria and Africa, emphasising that women cannot be ignored in the process of development of nations and therefore urged government and society to remove all forms of discrimination against women.
Hajiya Buhari who was represented by Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, a former legislator and broadcaster described the promoters of WFM as a team of missionaries on a journey to emancipate women and their families.
Emeka Mba, the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission , NBC, who was represented by Bunmi Cole, Director of Lagos Zone, maintained that the Nigerian society will be better with the launch of the station.
He noted that more specialised radio stations like WFM will allow for more creativity in the broadcasting industry.
Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine enjoined the promoters of the station to sustain the noble ideas behind the project, which he described as the voice of women in Nigeria and Africa.
Toun Okewale Sonaiya the CEO of WFM 91.7 said women are key to finding solutions to the global problems of insecurity and poverty and promised that WFM91.7 will be part of the global march to provide security and prosperity.
When WFM91.7 hits the airwaves on Monday, November 16, 2015, the radio station, primed to be a reliable, leading and trusted source of all information and matters of interests for women and their families, has engaged in issues of local, national and international importance to all.
Personalities who graced the event included the Lagos deputy governor, Oluranti Adebule, who was represented by the Head of Service, HoS, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, Dr Olatunde Ayeni, Chief Mrs Sade Okoya, Oloris Olabisi & Yetunde Tejuoso, Joke Silva, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Funmi Ajila, Seun Olagunju, Shy Shy who flew in from UK, Ambrose Somide amongst other dignitaries.
The gender-sensitive radio station, which is perhaps the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa, is strategically positioned to deliver on unique operational content that is targeted at a niche segment of the society –WOMEN.
“Though licensed for women, the radio station’s programming content is designed to also cater for the men and the family by engaging on issues of local, national and international importance to all. The station will address everyday issues of interest for women, the men in their lives and their families,” Okewale-Sonaiya said on Friday.
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