Oyo Gives Conditions for Reconstruction of Music House

The Oyo State Government yesterday gave conditions for the Chairman of Yinka Ayefele Nigeria Limited, Dr. Yinka Ayefele to rebuild his partially demolished Music House, saying the musician must complete the documentations required for construction of such edifice for radio station before embarking on repairs of the structure.

The state’s Director General, Physical Planning and Urban Development Control, Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, who gave the conditions, insisted that Ayefele flouted the state’s town planning regulations before establishing the radio station.

The government’s position came as Ayefele yesterday told journalists that all he laboured for in his over 20 years’ career was pulled down by the state government in few minutes.

In an emotion-laden voice, Ayefele noted that his wife who met the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, 24 hours before the demolition, was subjected to series of psychological torture at the Government House, saying “she was on her knees for about five hours from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. begging the governor for leniency”. “We have relocated our studio and Fresh FM is fully back on air. It is only the NBC (National Broadcasting Commission) that can stop us from broadcasting. They can only try but they can’t succeed. I have provided employment opportunities for the people of Ibadan and Nigerians. Fresh FM is a small business that should be encouraged, not destroyed.

“Fresh FM impacted the city and state’s economy. Families depend in Fresh FM for their daily existence. There is no defense for this vindictive and politically motivated destruction of a thriving business in a city that needs economic and job opportunities,” Ayefele explained.

But the government maintained that Ayefele must complete the documentation required for construction of such edifice for radio station before embarking on repairs of the partially demolished Music House.