One Airwave, Many Echoes: UNILORIN FM’s 41st Convocation Symphony
By Idris Alooma
If a drum is well beaten, the dance will never be forgotten. That ancient wisdom found new meaning during the 41st Convocation Ceremonies of the University of Ilorin, where UNILORIN 89.3 FM did not just cover an event; it created an experience.
As the Yoruba wise saying goes, “Àgbájọ ọwọ́ la fi ń sọ̀yà, àjèjé ọwọ́ kan kò gbẹ́rù dórí,” meaning one hand cannot lift a load, but many hands make the load lighter. UNILORIN FM proved that one station can create many echoes.
The countdown was flagged off in grand style on October 7, 2026, at 11 a.m., by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN. With the eloquence of a scholar and the pride of a father, the VC unveiled the rich bouquet of programmes for the convocation and reeled out his landmark achievements, setting the tone for a ceremony of pride and fulfilment.
The microphone then moved to the engine room. The Chairman, Ceremonials Committee, Professor Adegboyega Adisa Fawole, dissected the ins and outs of the convocation. He spoke of one committee, many assignments, and a synergy that became the soul of success. He commended the dedication of every member and paid glowing tribute to the Vice-Chancellor for his visionary leadership. Indeed, if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together — Prof. Fawole’s committee went far.
Then began the parade of architects behind the grandeur. UNILORIN FM beamed its searchlight on every sub-committee, giving voice to the hands that built the success.
From the Secretariat led by Prof. Fawole and Mr. K.I. Akogun as the Secretary, to Arena under Q.S. A.T. Jimoh, Protocol under Mr. Adewuyi M.O., Health under Dr. Rasheed A. Odunola, Welfare under Mrs. Sherifat T. Saka-Lawal, Programme & Printing under Mr. M.A. Opaleke, Publicity under Mr. K.I. Akogun, Telecom and Technical under Engr. Aloga, Production & Performance under Dr. Olapeju O. Shuaib, Accommodation under Mr. M.K.B. Yusuf, Environment under Prof. Yusuf Abdulraheem, Transportation under Prof. Fawole, Security under Mr. Paul Ogidi, and Park and Ride under Mr. S.O. Agboola.
In some cases, two voices were heard from one committee — Prof. Abdulrasheed A. Adeoye of Production & Performance, Mr Naheem Olushola Falowo of Arena ,Mr. Femi Awolola of Park and Ride, Mr. Suberu Ibrahim of Security, and Engr. Aloga of Transportation — all testifying that when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.
The station also brought to the airwaves the principal officers of the University: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof. Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, DVC (Management Services) Prof. Olalere Adeyemi, DVC (Research, Technology and Innovation) Prof. Muhtar Adeiza Etudaiye, Registrar Mr. Mansur Adeleke Alfanla, FCIML, Bursar Mr. Abiodun Lawal, and University Librarian Prof. Kamakdeen Tunde Omopupa.
The KU8+ family was not left out, represented by pioneer member Prof. Mahfouz Adebola Adedimeji, former VC of Ahman Patigi University and now head of African School of Economics, Abuja. The brightest star of the day, the overall best graduating student, Mr. Francis Joseph Olusegun, his proud parents, and many other graduands poured their joy live on air. Every voice became a verse in the convocation anthem.
And what did UNILORIN FM do? The station did wonders. While it broadcasts 24 hours daily, it went the extra mile. For three days, from 4 a.m. till nightfall, it ran a special convocation marathon — countdown programmes, special commentaries, vox pops on the streets of campus, incisive news reportage, aggressive social media engagement, live transmission of events and minute-by-minute situation reports. It was not just radio; it was a town crier with a golden voice that reached the world.
Behind this feat was an enabling atmosphere created by the amiable Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, a man wearing three caps at once — Director of Corporate Affairs, Secretary of the Ceremonials Committee, and Chairman of the Publicity Sub-committee. As the elders say, a man who can carry three loads at once must have strong shoulders — Mr. Akogun proved it.
But the real magic was in the UNILORIN FM family itself. Led by a trailblazer, the multi-award-winning General Manager, Mr. Idris Alooma — innovative, energetic, hardworking and creatively restless — the team rose as one. Mr. Temitope Olawuyi, Karikatalk, Head of Programmes and Online Streaming, brought innovation and digital firepower; the Head of News, Mrs. Temitope Folorunso, held the news front with distinction; Head of Yoruba Unit, Mrs. Damilola Afelumo, Head of Islamic Unit, Mr. Tijani Adewoyin, Miss Bimbo Durojaye, Mr. Olusegun Olukayode, Mrs. Barakat Abdulraheem, Mr. Femi Fajemiyo, and Mr. Imam Abubakar, the Deputy Editor, Bulletin, who ensured every story found space in the bulletin, all gave their all.
The unsung hero of the hour remains Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole. A workaholic with rare human management skills, innovative and calm under pressure, he steered the ship before, during and after, earning commendation from all quarters.
In truth, UNILORIN FM did not just report the convocation; it immortalized it. It turned mortar boards into microphones and certificates into conversations. As the proverb says, when the story is sweetly told, it remains in the mouth of the listeners.
Long after the gowns are folded and the caps are kept, the echoes will remain — One Programme, Many Echoes, one station, a thousand memories. UNILORIN FM has once again shown that it is not just Better by Far, it is Best by Far.
*Idris Alooma is the General Manager, UNILORIN FM radio station and Deputy Director, Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin.*
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