Veteran broadcasters and pensioners of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) have appealed to the Oyo State Government to urgently intervene in the affairs of the state-owned media outfit, citing its deteriorating condition and declining fortunes.
The appeal was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Pensioners’ Hall, Ile Akede, where media veterans gathered to discuss what they described as the “untold story and sad reality” of BCOS.
Speaking on behalf of the pensioners, the convener of the meeting, Chief Yinka Oladimeji, lamented that the once-thriving broadcast station has fallen into a deplorable state and requires urgent revitalisation to restore its lost glory.
According to him, BCOS, which was once regarded as a leading broadcast institution in the country, now struggles with operational challenges that have affected its performance and relevance.
“We may be helpless, but we are not hopeless because prosperity will come one day,” Oladimeji said, expressing optimism that the station can recover with the right support and commitment from the government.
He noted that irregular payment of staff salaries has contributed to low productivity among workers, while many pensioners continue to face difficulties due to delays in the payment of their entitlements.
Chief Oladimeji further observed that many of the professionals trained by BCOS have gone on to establish and manage some of the leading radio stations across the country, underscoring the institution’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s broadcasting industry.
He described it as unfortunate that BCOS, despite being owned by the Oyo State Government, is not being fully utilised by the government for information dissemination and public communication.
Questioning the station’s ability to remain financially viable in its current state, Oladimeji said, “A broadcast station that is not functioning properly cannot attract investors or advertisers. Without investment and patronage, how will it generate revenue?”
The stakeholders also called on the state government to ensure direct compensation for lands belonging to BCOS that were sold, stressing that such resources should be channelled towards the revival of the organisation.
The meeting, which attracted veteran broadcasters and other media stakeholders, noted that recent discussions on social media have once again drawn public attention to the challenges confronting BCOS and the urgent need for intervention.
The participants urged the Oyo State Government to take decisive steps to reposition the station, improve staff welfare, settle outstanding pension obligations and restore BCOS to its position as a respected voice in the broadcasting industry.
They also called on Ibadan indigenes to come out enmass to help revive the lost glory of Bcos because it is also the pride of Ibadan.