Media mogul, and Chairman of Fresh FM Nigeria, Dr Yinka Ayefele, has appointed veteran broadcaster, Alhaji Abdulfatai Adeniyi Dan Kazeem as the pioneer General Manager of his latest outfit, Fresh 107.9 FM, Ilorin.

The appointment was made known via a statement released on Saturday and signed by Samson Akindele, Group Head of Corporate Affairs, Fresh FM Nigeria and Yinka Ayefele Limited.

The appointment comes as the newly opened station prepares to commence full operations and establish itself as a credible voice for information, education, and entertainment in Kwara State and the North-Central region.

Alhaji Dan Kazeem brings to the role over four decades of practical experience in radio broadcasting.

His career spans programme production and presentation, broadcast management, and organizational leadership across several reputable stations in Nigeria.

Known for his deep understanding of audience engagement, editorial standards, and talent development, he has mentored a generation of broadcasters and consistently upheld professionalism in the industry.

Speaking on the appointment, the Chairman of Fresh FM Nigeria, Dr. Yinka Ayefele (MON), expressed confidence his Dan Kazeem’s capabilities.

“Alhaji Kazeem’s wealth of experience and reputation for integrity makes him the ideal leader to drive the new station’s vision from inception. We are confident that under his leadership, Fresh 107.9 FM will set new standards for quality broadcasting and community service in Ilorin,” Dr. Ayefele said.

According to the release, Dan Kazeem will oversee the Fresh FM Ilorin’s strategic direction, daily operations, programming, technical services, and regulatory compliance.

He is also expected to lead efforts to build strong partnerships with the business community, government agencies, and the people of Kwara State.

Alongside his reputation as a gifted actor, scriptwriter  and broadcaster, Dan Kazeem is graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and holds a post-graduate diploma in journalism.

His career is marked by a steady ascent through the ranks of Radio Kwara, where he rose from Producer to Director of Programmes, and then Director of Public Orientation for the Kwara State Ministry of Information and Communications.

Dan Kazeem was also the pioneer president of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria (FIBAN).

Fresh 107.9 FM, Ilorin, is a newly-licensed commercial radio station committed to delivering balanced news, impactful programming, and locally relevant contents that reflect the culture and aspirations of its listeners.

Fresh 107.9 FM, Ilorin is the latest from the stable of Fresh FM Nigeria which already has influencial stations in Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ado Ekiti, Osogbo, Lagos, and Akure.

With headquarters in Ibadan, Fresh FM Nigeria also owns Blast 98.3 FM and Tiwantiwa Radio 106.5 FM, both operating in Ibadan.

In a powerful call to national intellectual renewal, Chief Abiodun Oladimeji Lasile, the Orunto Baalufe of Owu Kingdom, has urged Nigerians to “go all in” on literacy and the protection of creative rights to secure the country’s future.

Marking the 2026 World Book and Copyright Day on Thursday, the prominent advocate for heritage and intellectual property joined UNESCO and the Nigerian Copyright Commission in celebrating this year’s global theme, “Go All In on Reading.”

Chief Lasile characterized reading not merely as a leisure activity but as a foundational tool for nation-building, asserting that a reading populace is one that cannot be easily deprived of its history or its rights.

‘Reading is not a pastime. It is the first tool of nation-building. A child who reads becomes a citizen who thinks. A student who reads becomes a leader who plans. A people who read cannot be cheated of their history, their rights, or their future.’

He noted that in a modern era dominated by short-form digital content and instant answers, the depth provided by books is more critical than ever for developing leaders who can plan and citizens who can think critically.

The Orunto highlighted a growing crisis in the Nigerian literary landscape, comparing the nation’s books to oil and its research to seeds that must be protected.

He raised the alarm over the increasing threats of piracy and the rise of digital “machines” that consume intellectual work without permission, specifically noting that students and authors are seeing their original ideas vanish into databases without proper credit.

‘Our books are our oil. Our research is our seed. Yet in the cloud and on the street, the Nigerian author is losing pages to silence, piracy, and machines that learn without leave. Students submit projects that vanish into databases and return without their names.’

According to Chief Lasile, the mandate to “go all in” extends beyond the act of reading to the active defense of the Copyright Act 2022.

He argued that copyright protection is a shared responsibility involving parents, teachers, and poets alike, rather than a niche concern for legal professionals.

To address these challenges, the Chief outlined a tripartite commitment focused on access, authorship, and integrity.

He called upon all levels of government and the private sector to bridge the gap in book distribution by funding public libraries and digital reading hubs across Nigeria, emphasizing that a nation cannot read what it cannot reach.

On the front of authorship, he issued a direct appeal to the public to buy original works, name writers, and report pirates to ensure that creators receive the income they deserve from the very first sale.

He further challenged the academic community and the general public to maintain the highest standards of integrity by citing sources, including AI-generated content, and avoiding the unauthorized sharing of digital files.

Closing his address with a message of resilience and vigilance, Chief Lasile reminded Nigerians that while the modern “thief” now operates via a keyboard, the protection of intellectual property remains a moral and national necessity.

He maintained that if the people guard the page, the page will, in turn, guard the people by fostering a culture of thinking and leading.

The annual celebration of World Book and Copyright Day on April 23 serves as a global reminder of the importance of publishing and the legal safeguards that allow the creative industry to thrive for the next generation.

www.oruntoowuabeokuta.org.ng , the premier online platform dedicated to showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Owu Kingdom, Egbas, and Abeokuta, is proud to celebrate its first anniversary.

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Over the past year, OruntoOwuAbeokuta has established itself as a vibrant hub for cultural enthusiasts, researchers, and the Owu community to explore and engage with their roots.

Through its comprehensive work, the platform has preserved historical narratives, traditional practices, and contemporary updates, promoting cultural awareness and appreciation.

Orunto Owu Abeokuta has fostered community engagement through interactive forums, events, and festivals like Odun Omo Olowu, uniting Owu descendants worldwide.

The platform has also provided valuable resources for scholars and enthusiasts interested in Owu history, socio-political contributions, and cultural significance.

“We are thrilled to mark this milestone and appreciate the unwavering support from our community,” said the management team. “Our impact extends beyond cultural promotion, contributing to the Owu Kingdom and Abeokuta’s economy and tourism.

Initiatives like Odun Omo Olowu and Lisabi Festival have attracted international attention, boosting local businesses and skill promotions.”

With over 350 articles, write-ups, and pieces published within a year, the website is a treasure trove of interesting reads and stories told through captivating 1000+ photos.

OruntoOwuAbeokuta’s dynamic nature is a testament to its commitment to growth and development.

“Reading makes a healthy life and personal development,” and OruntoOwuAbeokuta is a shining example of this philosophy in action. As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to many more years of preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta history.”

The platform is a brainchild of Chief Abiodun Lasile, the Orunto Owu Kingdom Abeokuta and Founder/Coordinator The SixthSense Initiative and Sixth Sense Series Publications
Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (Ogun Chapter)