Tributes for witty late radio presenter as colleague pleads for children’s support

By Oluwatomisin Amokeoja

Fans and colleagues of witty radio presenter, Emmanuella Pobeni Adepoju popularly known as Iya Jogbo have continued to pay her glowing tributes.

Emmanuella died on Friday due to illness from Bronchitis and an enlarged heart, the management of TVC Communications, owners of TVC, TVC News and Max FM Lagos and Abuja announced in a statement.

“She will be deeply missed by us all and the many thousands of fans who tuned in to hear her unique broadcasts every day,” CEO of TVC Communications, Andrew Hanlon said on behalf of the staff and management in the statement published on the station’s website.

As Iya Jogbo, she brought her expertise to bear on Wetin Dey radio programme after she was offered the opportunity to join by one of the producers, Matthew Olunola,

“He asked if I could mimic Apena’s character, I just said yes because while I was young, my mother talked like her, so I joined the set. The name ‘Iya Jogbo bi oro’ was given to me by Niyi Ojemakinde after I scolded Tatafo for an error. It was after Niyi left, Wale Animashaun joined as Niyi’s younger brother,” Emmanuella had explained in an interview with Azubuike Chima of The Nation.

The deceased  worked closely with Niyi Ojemakinde, Wale Animashaun (Walepowpowpow), Obus Bezalee (Obus), Helen Paul (Tatafo) and Lanre Fasasi (General Danbaba) endearing herself to many audiences for her motherly character on the Wetin Dey programme aired on Max FM Lagos previously known as Radio Continental.

The Iya Jogbo character “represents a stark illiterate, fashionista current with happenings, strict, self-reliant, amiable and an activist for gender equality.” Putting heads together with Tosin Ajayi, the thought of what she could do with the ‘Jogbolistic’ brand brought about Sharing with Jogbolistic which empowered more than 4 persons in different crafts like tailoring and catering.

She spent almost 10 years as a key member of the much loved Wetin Dey radio show on Max FM leaving a legacy of enormous talent and spirit.

The mother of four went on air for the first time in 1995 as an intern the very day she was taken to Radio Lagos after dumping the pharmacy profession idea due to unsuccessful attempts with the Physics subject at high school. She continued anchoring Global Focus on Radio Lagos even after her internship.

“In 1995, whilst on an internship at Radio Lagos, Deji Balogun, the General Manager of Radio Lagos at the time discovered me as a trainable hand and took permission from Funke Moore of the News Desk to hand me over to Uncle Tokunbo Ojekunle and Uncle Yinka Adagun who gave me the opportunity to go on air on my first day at the station,” Emmanuella once narrated.

Unknown to many, the unique presenter was also a seamstress propelled by serial disappointments from fashion designers who failed to sew her clothes, delivered behind schedule or damaged her entire fabric.

She is a product of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and a trained voice-over artiste dating back to her discovery by a private producer who heard her speak and decided to introduce her to the defunct Clapperboard where she presented shoppers’ guide in English and Yoruba (Kaarakata).

Among the early sympathizers is her colleague, Mary Bashua-Alimi, who while paying tributes urged the public to support her children by tweeting: “During her lifetime, @iyahjogbo was a very good friend and sister to so many of us. She leaves behind a family that loves her – particularly young children. Please, support them in any way you can. Sterling Bank – 0070215255 – Adepoju Tanitoluwa Adewumi (her oldest son).”

In the following tweet, Mary added: “@iyahjogbo’s oldest son – Tanitoluwa – recently completed NYSC and needs a good job to support his siblings. He can be reached via tanitoluwahardepojuh@yahoo.com. You could also ask me for his CV. If you can afford to, you could also help sponsor her children’s education.”

Another colleague, with the Twitter handle @DebsExtra, expressed how “2020 is some weird twisted year” urging her followers to “hug your loved ones tighter..hold on to the happy moments for a little while longer” as she “truly really wished today had not happened.”

Still in shock, Wale Animashaun using the handle @walepowpowpow tweeted “speechless”.

Obus Bezalee in a more sober tone tweeted: “Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen? None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. Ecclesiastes 8:7 He Alone Is GOD!

Fans in their large numbers have also taken to the micro-blogging platform, Twitter, to express their shock and admiration for the delightful radio presenter.

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@amid_temitayo Back in days of radio continental, I fell in luv with dis talented OAP’s show wetin dey with wálé powpowpow & tatafo.H er Yorùbá mum accent & hilarious style of presentation was top notch. RIP Max FM Lagos OAP Emmanuella Adepoju (ìyá Jogbo bí ọ̀rọ̀) Family & we fans ‘ll miss mami.

@EmpressMarthar Max FM just lost one of their biggest OAP @iyahjogbo of Wetin dey show to death. This is sad! Rest easy iya jogbo.

@Demo__UK I was a fan of Iya jogbo, Helen Paul(Tatafo) & Wale Animashaun back then. Even till now when I bump into wetin dey on Radio continental (now MAX FM). Didn’t even know she looked this young. I thought she was actually an old woman. May her beautiful gentle soul rest in peace.

@bodexng Max FM just lost one of their finest and amazing OAP, Rest in Peace, Iya Jogbo.

@Sabbathi316 Rest in peace beloved. I met u on two or three different occasions while I had a short stint with Max FM. So shocking and painful u are no more. GOD knows best. Sleep well sister. R.I.P.

@adeola_its Rest in peace Iya Jogbo bi oro…You are a rare gem.  Thank you for putting smile on our faces. We love you but God loves you more. My condolence goes to her family and staff of max FM.

@itz_ralphdrums She actually speaks good and clear English but has been on this accent for more than 10years on MaxFM(Previously Radio continental). Entertaining millions of persons every afternoon for more than a decade through a particular medium is beyond legendary!!! R.I.P Iya Jogbo.