Deputy Director Digital Media Voice of Nigeria and former Chairman NUJ Lagos State Council, Dr Qasim Akinreti celebrates, broadcaster, Olanrewaju Olutunbosun, Ogbonge, Baale Ojutaye on Radio Lagos /Eko FM who retires after 35 years service.
“It is good to leave when the ovation is loudest. “This is a popular saying in our community.
And for Olanrewaju Olutunbosun,Ogbonge, Baale Ojutaye on Radio Lagos /Eko FM, it is time to leave after 35 years of meritorious service in Public Service Broadcasting.
Ogbonge, as fondly called among colleagues before his status changed to Baale Ojutaye, is an iconic broadcaster of one of the most outstanding African languages, Yoruba.
A gifted Broadcaster
Baale Ojutaye brought clamour, finesse, and candour to the Yoruba language presentation on Radio. He understands the nuisances, gesticulations, and splendour of the Yoruba Language genre in all forms on Radio Lagos/Eko FM on 107.5 dial.
Yoruba language is spoken by over 60 million people across the world in two ways ( Ayajo ijinle ohan ifa of ile ife stock, flawless Yoruba, and Yoruba Oyo ,which accommodate Enaan, a coding Yoruba, with superlative idioms and proverbs. Olanrewaju olatunbosun is at home with these genres any time any day. I doff my hat for him. He combined his presentations very well with “Agbari Omo Yacuba,” and the retinue of “Oloris of Ojutaye” distinguished Yoruba Broadcasters.
He started off early as Reporter and Newscaster, translating English news into Yoruba. His translations of editorial comments and newspaper reviews are excellent and top-notch. Ogbonge voice is distinct and far from the madding crowd.
The defining moment of his broadcast career at Radio Lagos was the presentation of the News and current affairs programme ,Ojutaye and Asiri Ilera, the lyrics from the sig tune of these distinct programmes are appetizer, and the introduction of the programme by Lanre is always re- assuring.
Throughout the duration of these programmes , Yoruba listeners across the globe stayed tuned to Radio Lagos. The Yoruba Language registers are at his beck and call. I monitored Radio Lagos in the UK during my postgraduate course at the Nottingham Trent University, with rapturous attention via the Radio Garden app.
In handling the presentation of another current affairs health programme,Asiri Ilera , Lanre simplifies the health terminologies with ease for all and sundry. I am exceedingly happy that the content of that illuminating health programme has been translated into a book for the benefits of this generation and future Nigerians. That is the hallmark of a visionary.
A humble Beginning
Ogbonge -Olanrewaju Olatunbosun lived his early life in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, a melting pot for Yorubas of the western region. Conveniently, Baale Ojutaye learned the art and sophistry of Yoruba Language from the elders and experts.
Lanre lived with the elders of Yoruba stock in a typical compound ,Agbole.” There, he cut his teeth. He went to Community Grammar School in Apata ,Ibadan, and studied Yoruba and Communication Art at the Lagos State University ,LASU.
A man of many parts
Ogbonge ventured into the world of media politics and Master’s of Ceremonies . He made made his mark as the Chairman NUJ Radio Lagos/Eko FM chapel of the NUJ Lagos state Council, when Iwas the Chairman NUJ Lagos State Council, 2017-2020. I enjoyed his full support. Olanrewaju Olatunbosun was among those who assisted in restoring the glory of the NUJ Lagos state Council as a member of State Executive Council, SEC , during my tenure. May your days be long, Baale Ojutaye.
I recalled enjoining Lanre to join the academic team at LASU to teach Yoruba Language as a distinct mass communication skill for all. I do hope this advice will be considered at his retirement.
Indeed, Olanrewaju Olatunbosun, Ogbonge Baale Ojutaye , what a rewarding time to be a public service broadcaster !!!
Congratulations 🎊
