I used to as a young boy wake up by 5am to listen to African Proverbs on EBS Radio .” The Words of Our Father are Words of Wisdom“, the Presenter would say. It was a Programme filled with lessons and morals. A very good way to start the Morning.That programme started in the days of Bendel Broadcasting Service (BBS).
Those were the golden days of Broadcasting in Benin City dominated by Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) on its Radio @ 9.57 FM “The Star Station ” and television @ Channel 55, EBS TV- “Nothing Else is Better” .It was called “the Star Station”.
At a time, EBS Radio and Television were the only radio and television Stations in the now Edo and Delta States. Then it was known as Bendel Broadcasting Service (BBS), before the 27th of August, 1991, when the then Bendel (Benin-Delta) State was split to Edo and Delta States. I make bold to say that the then BBS had the most talented OAPs in Nigeria. Later, it transmogrified to Edo/ Delta Broadcasting Service and finally to EBS and DBS, Delta Broadcasting Service respectively.
At time , the most exciting programme on EBS /BBS was the variety show .It was a show that made life fun for the profound,propelled by some of Nigeria ‘s greats like Lancelot Oduwa Imasuem, perhaps of Nigeria ‘s greatest movie directors of all time and pioneer organiser of film festivals in the South South of Nigeria , including the Igbinedion University International Students Film Festival.In “Variety Time” we had the likes of Ellien Otote, a great thespian and Theatre creator and international broadcaster and cultural icon,-Ambassador Ehigiamusoe , now in the UK.
Those were the days of the Mystery Lady “May Nwoko later Ifeoma Nwoko, I actually thought there was some thing mysterious about her, Uyi Ihama, Charles Ogbogodo, Tony Umole (deceased ), Cosmos Omohinmin, Alhaji Shehu Dododawa, Pius Ehimen, Ransley Abu Osagie, Ann Olumense Adesuwa Osunde, later Adesuwa Onyenukwe, Rev. Tunde Saint Barret, Joe Fabro Ikpomwosa, Babatunde Iwobi of the EBS Trade Fair Fame, Peters Air Irere of Jazz Music Fame, the godfather-Godwin Egbe, the Ayomose Crooner-Peter Imuona Imoaka of HighLife Music Fame and others too numerous to mention.
These icons inspired a generation of persons on radio, including the Writer to take a shot at radio with a very educative Programme “Can You Guess” pioneered by Cosmos Omohimin and Ogini Oluwole Nicholas.The Programme had the likes of Kennedy Ebakata, the late Francis Debba Omoregieva, Blue Guy Ernest Umegboro, Ibrahim Momoh, Obilakaba Ikechukwu, Kingsley Ukaoha, Festus Alenkhe, Agbons Osawaru, Fredrick Omo -Izobo, Okenwa Christopher, Angela Ikimano now Angela Onyekpen, Egbagbe A. Sunday, Bob Igechie and Dr Jolly N. Iguma, Ambassador Odey Jolly, Omenai Charles, Ogaga Emongware, Osazuwa Osahon Daniels – who was the first person in Nigeria to win 5 Myllion Naira in “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and others too numerous to mention. The Programme ‘Can you guess’ was rested and sacrificed for another programme, Beats and laughs. I understand that the then Management of EBS preferred Beats and Laughs to Can You Guess, because in their opinion it appealed more to the citizens, saying can you guess appealed only to a few elite. I wonder how they came to such a faulty conclusion till today. The Alumni of Can You Guess are thinking of bringing the Programme back even at our expense. That is how passionate we are about the Programme.
There was a period EBS horned a generation of Young OAPs who are excelling in their areas of endeavours all across the Country.
The Programme “Campus Request” produced the likes of Suleiman Aledeh now Sulai Aledeh, Chris Ellems, Tracy Osadolor-now of the University of Benin, Mary Ajayi and the late Samson Ohimiokhai (Nephew to the late High Chief Raymond Dokpesi). They were mostly young students of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, who combined their studies with Broadcasting and they excelled in both.
Rita Okechukwu and Tracy Osadolor were the love angels of EBS Radio, churning out melodious songs at night with ease and pleasure every night, serenading listeners to sleep! They were the love doctors who helped many heart broken people to mind their hearts ,with love songs .
Cordelia Okpe had a sway with “Make a Minute”, a very educative programme that emphasized on the use of English to talk about any subject. She had a profound mastery of English as she had A1 in English and she was the talk of the town as it was unusual to have an A1 in English in those days .Her diction was faultless ans her command of language was compelling .She later became GM of Metro FM in Lagos at a young age .
Who can forget the comic Felix Ogie of Una Good Morning Show on EBS Radio, a vintage and satiric pidgin English programme that pioneered the exposure of the ills of Society on Radio in Benin and that even criticised the Government of the day .The Alumni of Can You Guess are thinking of bringing the Programme back alive ,even at our expense . That was how passionate we are about the Programme.The Alumni of the Programme are doing very well in their respective careers all over the world .
There was a Period EBS horned a generation of Young OAPs who are excelling in their areas of endeavours all across the Country.
The Programme “Campus Request” ,produced the Likes of Suleyman Aledeh now Sulai Aledeh,Chris Ellems ,Tracy Osadolor,Mary Ajayi and the late Samson Ohimiokhai (Nephew to High Chief Raymond Dokpesi) .They were mostly young students of the University of Benin,UNIBEN,who combined their studies with Broadcasting and they excelled in both .
Rita Okechukwu and Tracy Osadolor were the love angels of EBS Radio ,churning out melodious songs at night with ease and pleasure every night ,serenading listeners to sleep!I
Vivien Okafor the ebony black beauty and Flora Bossey ,were both doing Newscasting on Television, but the Queen of Newscasting was the very comely and suave Sidi Lawal ,that became Sidi Lawal-Eholor and then Sidi Lawal-Igio.Watching her on EBS Channel 55 Comprehensive News was like watching Arise TV News of today .She was a beauty to behold , elegant in appearance , graceful in gait and outstanding in speech .Aunty Sidi had a knack for excellence and as Head of Presentation of EBS , you better watch intonation,else you would be axed .She grew a generation of broadcasters , who are all top of their game .
Who can forget the comic Felix Ogie of Una Good Morning Show on EBS Radio, a vintage and satiric pidgin English Programme that pioneered the exposure of the ills of Society on Radio in Benin and that even criticized the Government of the day. It was a programme that had cross appeal to all facets of Society.
Another indelible character in EBS then was the very boisterous and enterprising Felix Okugbe, who was the Sports Czar in EBS then. He made the watching of the 1994 World Cup memorable. In between the World Cup Matches, the delectable Ann Olumense read the news. Felix Okugbe and Ann Olumense later ended up as husband and wife. Felix had earlier made his mark with the Ugbowo Bombers, a football team of young lads that won the Gothia Cup in Denmark about twice in the 90s.He was a passionate man , who was ahead of his time .He later moved to AIT , after which he set up his out fit ,before his unfortunate demise .He will be sorely missed .
Who will ever forget “Mr Psychology”-Sylvester Oguname , who brought football to life , with his very in depth analysis ,spiced with thrills and frills .He was one in a million ,a man with raw passion and fire 🔥 in his mouth .Karl Orakwe was a great sports caster , together with Nosa Emeka Ottey-the scion of Rev Tunde St Barriet.We also had Felix Owolabi and Mr Isokpai,both had a good way of making sports a delight to watch and listen to.
The late Cletus Balogun was a great sight to behold reading the Channel 55 Comprehensive News and later presenting a celebrities programme together with Osagie Asabor (former GM EBS), Charles Ogboghodo, Mathew Atagama, Osaretin Ero, Osazee Obazee etc.
The Channel 55 Comprehensive News however was cooked in the inner recesses of the EBS News Room by. egg heads like Mr Lola . Ebueku, Ransley Abu Osagie (former GM), Mr. Edokpayi, Mr Ehi Braimah, Pius Ehimen etc. It was a close group of experts, who controlled the news structure. It was headed by the Controller News, a very powerful figure that actually controlled what news comes in and goes out of EBS.
There were also other very enlightening programmes on EBS Radio like “What am I”, “The Music and the Maker”, “Morning Drive “.This were you had egg heads like Alhaji Shehu Dododawa ,Oseni Salami , Cosmos Omohimwin Dupe Rufus ,etc
“Reggae Extravaganza”, presented by the highly philosophical Senior Kings Ogbebor (SKO), which is still on Air on EBS Radio till today. It should be the longest lasting programme on EBS Radio now.SKO is a legend that should be celebrated as the man who popularised the reggae culture in Benin .
There was an innocent voice on EBS then , it was that of the then very young Jessica Ologbosere who is now a Lawyer and is also now of Channels Television. She was so quiet, humble and respectful. She had a mellifluous voice, that was like that of a natingale.
Then the golden days of Sports: We had one Oduwa Imasuen who had a melodious voice just like that of the then Onyewonsa Obadigie, who equally was a delight to listen to. We also had Felix Owolabi, who was consistent in presentation of Sports especially commentaries of live matches on radio and television.
The Trio of Andy Bello, Chris Enabulele and Fidel Castro also made their mark with their signature show- Breakfast Groove which had huge fellowship. They pioneered musical shows, the Lagos Style in Benin.St Patrick’s Oiwoh was a constant factor on his morning shows.He is the one that has had the Wedding of the Century of an EBS Staff in Benin City , some years ago .
Festus Alenkhe-the current Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, known for his now reintroduced Prime Time TV and Radio Programme “Crime Watch” .The Programme has a unique feature of exposing the criminal activities of alleged felons.
Vivian Okafor, Flora Bassey, Courage Asia Madam Amina Ebbo, were also stars in the “Star Station”. EBS Radio was truly a station made up of Stars and nothing else was better. Those were the golden days of EBS Radio. Those golden days are gone.
The Edo Broadcasting Service has to reinvent itself. One of the biggest mistakes was relocating the Radio Station from the Broadcasting House at New Lagos Road and giving the House to the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue. The Broadcasting House was purpose built with a recording studio with which yours sincerely and others recorded the Programme, “Can You Guess” and other programmes. I doubt if EBS has any real radio recording studio, as we recorded with midgets, which produced low sound quality.
There was an artiste system in place at EBS then promoted by Mrs. Adesuwa Kupulati as then Sole Administrator of EBS, where young and talented persons where given opportunity to show case themselves, while being given stipends. This brought out all these talents. There was no politics, if you were good, you were good.It was under this system people like us had an opportunity to showcase our talents .
Now, we have to look at attracting young talents again, by re-introducing the artiste system. That is the future of EBS Radio. Look out for all the names indicated above and you will find that they are mostly on top of their game!
Will the stars shine again? Right now, it seems some thing else is now better!
About the Author:Douglas Ogbankwa Esq., is a former presenter of the programme “Can You Guess”, on EBS is the Director of Strategic Communications of the African Bar Association (AfBA).
