Gospel singer and broadcaster Yinka Ayefele has described the 1997 car accident that left him in a wheelchair as the painful event that transformed his life.
Ayefele spoke on Wednesday at a press conference to mark the 10th anniversary of his radio station, Fresh 105.9 FM, held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
The event was attended by the Special Adviser on Media to Oyo State Governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju; NUJ Chairman in Oyo, Ademola Babalola; and Sherifat Mohammed-Koro.
Recounting how his journey to fame began, Yinka said he was working with Radio Nigeria, Ibadan, as a jingle producer before tragedy struck.
“I worked at Radio Nigeria Ibadan. I was into jingle production. I bought a beetle car from the money I realised. I had a road accident on my way to Abeokuta in Ogun State in 1997 with the car. It was in the road accident I had in 1997. I know that many people know about the story, so that was my turning point,” he said.
The Fresh FM founder said his interest in owning a station began from live streaming on Facebook. “It was on Facebook that I started live streaming. I realised that my fans outside Nigeria appreciate it. After that, I thought I could have a radio station and change the narrative,” he said.
Yinka said it took him seven years to secure a licence from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). “If they investigate owners of radio stations the same way I was investigated for seven years, I don’t think most of these stations will exist today,” he added.
The broadcaster also recalled how the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi ordered the demolition of his Music House in 2018.
“The demolition brought global attention. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because Ajimobi later rebuilt the station,” he said.
