Concerned retired employees of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), alongside veteran broadcasters and other media stakeholders, have renewed calls for urgent government intervention to prevent the continued decline of the state-owned broadcasting organisation.
They warned that without immediate reforms and investment, the station risks losing the legacy and reputation it built over several decades as one of Oyo State’s foremost public media institutions.
The appeal was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Pensioners’ Hall, Ile Akede, where former staff members, industry veterans and other concerned stakeholders gathered to deliberate on what they described as the worsening condition of the state-owned media establishment.
Participants at the meeting expressed concern over the corporation’s diminishing influence and called for a comprehensive rescue plan to restore its relevance.
Speaking on behalf of the pensioners, the convener of the meeting, Chief Yinka Oladimeji, lamented that BCOS, which once stood among Nigeria’s most respected broadcasting organisations, has gradually lost its prominence.
According to him, the station’s current state is a far cry from its glorious past, when it was regarded as a leading institution that produced some of the country’s finest broadcast professionals.
Quoting a report by YESFM, Oladimeji recalled that BCOS was once recognised as a training ground for many accomplished broadcasters who later became founders, managers and top executives of successful radio and television stations across Nigeria.
He noted that the corporation’s contribution to the growth of the nation’s broadcasting industry remains significant despite its present difficulties.
He stressed that the deterioration of the station should not be allowed to continue, insisting that with the right political will, financial investment and administrative reforms, BCOS can once again become a vibrant public broadcaster capable of serving the people of Oyo State effectively.
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“We may be helpless, but we are not hopeless because prosperity will come one day,” Oladimeji said, expressing confidence that the station can regain its lost status if the government demonstrates a genuine commitment to its revival.
According to him, one of the major challenges confronting the corporation is the irregular payment of workers’ salaries, a situation he said has negatively affected staff morale and reduced productivity.
He explained that employees who are uncertain about their welfare cannot be expected to perform at their highest level, adding that the situation has also affected the overall efficiency of the organisation.
The media veteran also drew attention to the plight of retired workers, many of whom, he said, continue to experience delays in receiving their pensions and other retirement benefits.
He urged the government to prioritise the settlement of outstanding pension obligations, describing it as both a moral and legal responsibility owed to individuals who dedicated decades of their lives to serving the state through public broadcasting.
Beyond issues of staff welfare, Oladimeji questioned why BCOS, despite being wholly owned by the Oyo State Government, is not being fully utilised as an official platform for public information, government policies and civic education.
He argued that a functional state-owned broadcasting station should naturally serve as one of the government’s strongest communication channels, particularly in disseminating information to residents across urban and rural communities.
He further expressed concern over the station’s ability to remain financially sustainable under its current circumstances.
According to him, a struggling broadcasting organisation with outdated facilities and declining audience engagement cannot realistically attract major advertisers, commercial partners or private investors needed to improve its revenue base.
“A broadcast station that is not functioning properly cannot attract investors or advertisers. Without investment and patronage, how will it generate revenue?” he asked.
The stakeholders also appealed to the state government to ensure that compensation from lands belonging to BCOS that were sold is paid directly to the organisation.
They argued that such funds should be dedicated to rehabilitating infrastructure, acquiring modern broadcast equipment, upgrading production facilities and repositioning the corporation to compete effectively in today’s rapidly evolving media environment.
Participants observed that recent conversations on social media have once again brought public attention to the challenges confronting BCOS.
They noted that the renewed public interest presents an opportunity for the government to initiate meaningful reforms that would preserve one of the state’s oldest public institutions rather than allow it to continue its downward trajectory.
The gathering emphasised that restoring BCOS goes beyond preserving a government agency.
According to the stakeholders, the corporation represents an important part of Oyo State’s history and has played a significant role in promoting education, culture, public enlightenment and democratic participation over several decades.
The meeting also extended an appeal to prominent sons and daughters of Ibadan to support efforts aimed at restoring the station’s lost glory.
They described BCOS as one of the city’s enduring institutions and a source of pride whose revival should attract support not only from government but also from private individuals, corporate organisations and philanthropists with an interest in preserving the state’s broadcasting heritage.
They maintained that revitalising the station would create opportunities for young broadcasters, improve the quality of public information available to residents and strengthen the media landscape within Oyo State.
At the end of the meeting, participants unanimously called on Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to implement far-reaching reforms that would reposition BCOS for long-term sustainability.
They urged the government to improve staff welfare, settle outstanding pensions, modernise broadcasting infrastructure, strengthen management capacity and develop policies that would enable the station to regain public confidence and compete effectively in the modern broadcasting industry.
The stakeholders expressed optimism that with strategic investment, responsible leadership and sustained government commitment, BCOS can once again become a respected public broadcaster and reclaim the influential position it once occupied within Nigeria’s media industry.
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