That Edmund Obilo’s radio show, by Ismail Omipidan

Are you a radio fan? How much of political discourse do you listen to on radio? Have you heard of the programme, ‘State Affairs’ with Edmund Obilo before? Well, after my engagement at the weekend, I want to recommend that programme on Splash FM 105.5 to every lover of political discourse. The anchor, Edmund Obilo, a seasoned broadcast journalist is truly a professional. As a media scholar schooled in the art of presentation, I particularly recommend his handling and mastery of show presentation to upcoming broadcast journalists, including those already in practice, who often fall short of professional standards in their delivery.

Back in April this year, I got a message from my publishers, Safari Books, about an invitation from RovingHeights to feature at a book reading event for my book, Persona Non Grata. We agreed on a date — Saturday, April 12, to be precise. I planned towards it, booked my flight, and made all necessary arrangements.

However, three days to the event, I got this message from my publishers “Good evening sir. Trust you had a wonderful day today sir.
Rovinghights sent a message today that due to some circumstances, they are shifting the programme to another day before the end of this month sir. We are sorry for the inconveniences sir.”

Luckily for me, I had already scheduled an appointment with my supervisors around the same period, since I was going to fly in from Abuja. So, I still traveled.

Then came another message in May, again, from my publishers. This time around, they informed me that a copy of my book had been given to “Mr. Edmund Obilo, a popular radio man in Ibadan. He will likely call you for an interview very soon.”

And the call came on September 6. After accepting the offer, I searched through my diary, and I realised that there was no activity for me at school, in Osun or Lagos. This meant that I would be flying into Lagos and traveling down to Ibadan solely for the interview. I reckoned that the platform had played host to serving governors, former governors, and lawmakers, both past and present, and I resolved within myself that it was worth it.

After the show on Saturday on Splash FM 105.5, tittled “When Rivers Part: The Tinubu – Aregbesola Story,” coupled with the feedback I received, I have no doubt that I made a good investment. That singular encounter turned out to be the most engaging moment I’ve had since the unveiling of my book. Mr. Obilo, thank you for the privilege, and thank you for the kind words. He kept saying to me, “You have written an insightful book. Thank you for writing the book.” I do not take that compliment for granted at all. Compliments like that keep the fire in me burning. Thanks for gifting me the book, Understanding Modern Nigeria, Ethnicity, Democracy, and Development by Toyin Falola.

Before leaving Ibadan, I also paid a visit to Nigeria’s oldest surviving newspaper, the Nigerian Tribune, where I met with the MD/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Edward Dickson, the title editors, and the ever-industrious newsroom team. Truly, the journey to Ibadan was worth my time and every expense.
God bless Mr. Edmund Obilo and Splash FM 105.5. Have you read Persona Non Grata? What are you waiting for? Go get a copy and read.