Former BCOS staff Kayode Olagungu has backed calls to address challenges facing Oyo’s state-owned broadcasting stations and investigate allegations surrounding equipment disposal.
A former staff member of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Kayode Olagungu, has called for an investigation into the alleged disposal or removal of broadcasting equipment belonging to the state-owned media organisation.
Olagungu spoke in reaction to a recent statement by Elder David Oluokun, Oyo State APC Peace Advocates Publicity Secretary and BSA Voice of Reason Media and RHAIN Coordinator, who raised concerns about the operational challenges facing BCOS, Oke-Ogun FM in Alaga and Ajilete FM in Ogbomoso.
Oluokun highlighted concerns over broadcasting facilities, workers’ welfare, funding and allegations surrounding the management of BCOS land.
He also questioned the state government’s reliance on private radio stations for official engagements while public broadcasting stations reportedly struggle with operational difficulties.
He urged Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to provide modern equipment, reliable electricity, adequate funding and better working conditions.
READ MORE: David Oluokun questions Makinde’s reliance on private radio stations as BCOS, other Oyo State-owned broadcasters face challenges
Reacting, Olagungu alleged that the current BCOS Board Chairman issued a letter to an individual concerning some of the corporation’s assets, after which several broadcasting equipment items were reportedly sold or removed.
He further alleged that the Head of Channel was redeployed after questioning the circumstances surrounding the equipment.
Olagungu demanded clarification on who authorised the alleged disposal, the contents of the chairman’s letter, whether due process was followed, who received the equipment and where any proceeds from the transactions went.
“BCOS equipment belongs to the people of Oyo State. If public assets were disposed of, there must be proper documentation, valuation, approval and accountability,” he said, calling for a comprehensive audit of the corporation.
He added that efforts to restore BCOS would remain incomplete without transparency regarding its existing assets.
“BCOS needs revival, but revival without transparency will not solve the problem. The people of Oyo State deserve to know what happened to their assets,” Olagungu stated.
Olagungu criticises Makinde’s response on Fresh FM
The former staff member also revisited Governor Makinde’s response during a live broadcast on Fresh FM, where the governor was questioned about BCOS’s condition, staff welfare and alleged unpaid salaries and pensions.
According to Olagungu in a video on his Facebook page, the governor did not directly address the concerns raised and instead said, “I am also human, I need to be encouraged, I need to be acknowledged.”
Expressing disappointment, Olagungu said, “We thought you love us, that’s why we’re supporting you.”
He also questioned why some workers appeared to be doing well while others continued to experience hardship, arguing that workers’ welfare should not depend on whether their struggles attract public attention.
Click the link to watch the video: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1F6BG8746r/
Olagungu’s reaction has added to the growing debate over the state of public broadcasting in Oyo State, particularly the condition of Ibadan BCOS.
The concerns raised by both Olagungu and Oluokun centre on the need to address the operational challenges facing the stations, improve workers’ welfare and ensure transparency in the management of public assets.
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