‘Oxygen FM 96.9’, Ibadan as living classroom, information hub, voice of hope, says founder, Gbadega Adedapo

* When the heavens acknowledged new wind of knowledge in Ibadan as new radio station opens

By Olufemi Timothy Ogunyejo

ON Friday, May 8, 2026, history unfolded gently over the ancient city of Ibadan. Before the official commissioning of Oxygen FM 96.9 at the Knowledge Hub, 121/123 Obafemi Awolowo Way, Oke-Ado, the heavens released an early morning rain, soft, calm, refreshing, and symbolic. The atmosphere was unusually cool, serene, and comforting, as though nature itself had paused to bless the birth of a vision destined to breathe life into society.

In Yoruba cosmology and philosophical belief, early rain before a major event is not ordinary. It is often regarded as a divine signal of acceptance, fruitfulness, peace, and abundance. The elders say, ‘Ojo ire kii se ojo asan‘, favourable rain never falls in vain. To many who gathered for the historic unveiling of Oxygen FM 96.9, the cool weather was a spiritual truism; a heavenly endorsement that the station would flourish, nurture lives, and become a channel of impact for generations yet unborn.

And truly, the symbolism could not have been more fitting. For just as oxygen is indispensable to human existence, so also is knowledge essential to societal growth, enlightenment, and sustainable development. That ideology formed the philosophical foundation upon which Oxygen FM 96.9 was conceived, not merely as another radio station, but as a life-giving platform dedicated to educational broadcasting, intellectual advancement, responsible journalism, and human capital development.

Earlier in the ceremony, the Head of Station, Tokunbo-Ishola, in her welcome address, assured guests and stakeholders that the station’s reportage and programming philosophy would be anchored on truthfulness, fairness, objectivity, professionalism, development communication, and responsible journalism. She emphasized that Oxygen FM would uphold ethical broadcasting standards while remaining committed to impactful content capable of informing, educating, and positively transforming society.

The official commissioning ceremony drew an impressive convergence of personalities from across the nation’s socio-economic and intellectual spectrum. The event became a meeting point of the “town and gown,” where academia, industry, governance, culture, media, and traditional institutions blended harmoniously in celebration of vision, enterprise, and societal progress.

Distinguished government officials, captains of industry, representatives of federal and state ministries, members of professional associations and bodies, media practitioners, political leaders, education stakeholders, cultural institutions, and members of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) graced the occasion with dignity and admiration for the man behind the vision — Gbadega Adedapo.

Chairman of Accessible Publishers Ltd and founder of Oxygen FM 96.9, Mr. Gbadega Adedapo (wearing blue face-cap) flanked by guests at the commissioning ceremony last Friday… in Ibadan

It was therefore unsurprising that the CCII had earlier conferred on him the revered title of ‘Icon of Ibadan Heritage’ — a recognition deeply rooted in his longstanding contributions to education, publishing, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and human development in Ibadanland and beyond.

Indeed, the story of Oxygen FM did not begin overnight. Its roots can be traced to a defining moment of strategic vision, team spirit, and entrepreneurial courage.

It began with a spontaneous declaration by Mr. Adedapo shortly after a high-level capacity-building workshop for staff members delivered by management consultant Remi Adesokan of Knowledge Beyond Ltd on Saturday, June 22, 2024, titled ‘Ethics, Etiquettes and Professionalism.’

With excitement and urgency, he reportedly told his strategic team, “Oh you guys, we have to be at Oke-Ado, our headquarters site to meet Dr. Yinka Ayefele in a couple of minutes from now. He just called me that he would be coming to visit our studio for our proposed station.”

That singular statement would eventually become the spark that ignited a revolutionary broadcasting vision.

The team, comprising Taiwo Akanni, Deepak Francis, Tosin Akeredolu, Dapo Adebayo, Olufemi Ogunyejo and Segun Adeniyi, moved in convoy to the gigantic six-storey edifice at Oke-Ado to receive the legendary gospel musician and broadcaster, Yinka Ayefele.

That meeting would later prove prophetic. Filled with joy and mutual respect, both industry leaders exchanged ideas on broadcasting, development, and nation-building. Mr. Adedapo described Ayefele as a global phenomenon in Nigerian broadcasting whose investments in radio had transformed lives and created opportunities for countless media professionals.

In return, Ayefele acknowledged Mr. Adedapo’s extraordinary impact on the Nigerian publishing landscape, especially during his tenure as President of Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) and Chairman of Nigeria International Book Fair Trust (NBFT).

More importantly, he identified a rare philosophy that defined the publisher’s personality, wealth creation through human empowerment. That ideology remains the heartbeat of Oxygen FM 96.9 today.

Unlike profit-driven media establishments built merely for commercial relevance, Oxygen FM emerged from a deeper conviction: that media must become an instrument for societal transformation, educational advancement, cultural rebirth, and economic empowerment.

At the official launch yesterday, Mr. Adedapo reaffirmed this philosophy in a powerful welcome address that resonated profoundly with guests and stakeholders. According to him, Oxygen FM was established as “a living classroom, an information hub, and a voice of hope.” He stressed that the station’s mission transcends entertainment, emphasizing its commitment to literacy promotion, youth development, civic enlightenment, responsible journalism, business conversations, cultural advancement, health awareness, and intellectual stimulation.

His words reflected the passion of a man who has spent decades building minds through books and now seeks to extend that impact through the immediacy and accessibility of radio broadcasting. The visionary entrepreneur declared that “true progress begins when minds are informed, inspired, and empowered,” a statement that perfectly captures the ideological soul of Oxygen FM.

The atmosphere throughout the event radiated optimism and collective ownership. Guests moved around the magnificent Knowledge Hub facility with admiration, describing it as a monumental investment in intellectual infrastructure and media innovation.

Conversations centred not merely on the beauty of the structure, but on the possibilities it represents for the future of educational broadcasting in Nigeria.

The station’s identity located inside “The Knowledge Hub” further reinforces its philosophical direction, a media institution designed to bridge information gaps, amplify credible voices, nurture talents, and stimulate critical thinking among the populace.

What made the ceremony even more remarkable was the diversity of personalities present. The gathering reflected a rare unity of academia, media, governance, entrepreneurship, and cultural institutions.

Scholars exchanged ideas with broadcasters. Government officials interacted with publishers. Young media enthusiasts found inspiration among industry veterans. It was an atmosphere that mirrored the very vision Oxygen FM seeks to promote, connection, enlightenment, and development.

Many speakers and goodwill messages described the station as timely, visionary, and transformational, especially in an era where misinformation, social fragmentation, and declining reading culture continue to challenge societal growth.

Observers noted that Oxygen FM represents a courageous attempt to restore the dignity of educational and developmental broadcasting in Nigeria.

Yet beyond the speeches, glamour, and ceremonies, the deeper story remains the entrepreneurial resilience of its founder, Mr. Adedapo, who embodies a philosophy uncommon in today’s business climate, the belief that investment should primarily serve humanity. His consistent emphasis on team-building, capacity development, mentorship, and institutional growth has distinguished him across publishing, education, and media circles.

His often-quoted philosophy, “you can’t win alone; you can only win with your team members” was once again validated by the successful commissioning ceremony, which reflected years of collaboration, sacrifice, planning, and collective commitment.

As guests departed the venue under the lingering freshness left behind by the early rain, one truth remained unmistakable: Oxygen FM 96.9 is more than a broadcasting station.

It is a movement.

A movement to breathe life into knowledge. A movement to inspire minds. A movement to amplify credible voices. A movement to empower humanity.

And perhaps, just perhaps, the rain knew before everyone else that something extraordinary had arrived in Ibadan.

* Ogunyejo is The Registrar of Best In Print Academy