Broadcasting is more than just a profession; it is a calling—one that demands passion, resilience, and continuous self-improvement.
For Ayomiposi Ayedun, the Head of News and Current Affairs at Midas Radio, Ado Ekiti, his journey into the media space was not just inspired but deeply rooted in a lifelong love for storytelling and information dissemination.
From his early days as an avid reader of TELL Magazine to navigating the realities of the broadcasting industry, his career is nothing but a symbol of dedication.
Can we meet you, sir?
My name is Ayomiposi Ayedun, Head of News and Current Affairs, Midas Radio, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
What inspired you to pursue a career in broadcasting, and how has the journey been so far?
Mine was not just an inspiration to pursue a career in broadcasting, but to operate within the media space, whether print or broadcast. The love for media came early in life, particularly being an avid reader of the famous “TELL MAGAZINE”. My dad would buy every week, and as a primary school boy, I would consume every bit of each publication – the words and images. This made me realise early in life that the media is one of the most powerful tools to jolt man to consciousness about the world around him.
Mine was not just an inspiration to pursue a career in broadcasting, but to operate within the media space, whether print or broadcast. The love for media came early in life, particularly being an avid reader of the famous “TELL MAGAZINE”. My dad would buy every week, and as a primary school boy, I would consume every bit of each publication – the words and images. This made me realise early in life that the media is one of the most powerful tools to jolt man to consciousness about the world around him.
Though, my family background constricted me to pitching my tent with the sciences, but my love has always been for the Arts and Humanities. Knowing that I had no serious plans to do much with my course of study (Physics Electronics) while the university, I orchestrated my Industrial Training to a broadcast outfit. That was how the journey started. Immediately after the compulsory service year, I found my way back to a broadcast outfit to start as a greenhorn.
The journey has been a rollercoaster. I’ve had my struggles on the job, but I’ve been able to weather the storm. I can say categorically that I’m in a better place now vis-a-vis my few years on the job and the grounds I have covered.
What do you enjoy most about being a broadcaster?
I must, at this point, admit that, if not broadcasting, I don’t know what job I would love to do. Broadcasting is a very noble profession and a calling. What I enjoy about being a broadcaster is the platform that it gives to speak to thousands or millions of people at a go. This, however, comes with a price. Reaching a million at a time puts the pressure on one to deliver at a certain level. It requires that you are inwardly alert and intrinsically sound. In essence, broadcasting is one of the few professions that I consider to continually develop the mind of the practitioner. Hence, broadcasters must consider it a sacred duty to always develop at a fast pace, deepen their grasp of proper use of whatever language of practice, and widen their lexicon of words.
What challenges have you faced in the broadcasting industry, and how did you navigate them?
• The main challenge I have had to faced on the job which came in my early years was lack of stability and certainty in terms of pay and retention of my space per time. I was able to navigate this challenge first by the unending Grace of the Almighty, His Providence and Guidance even in the face of confusion. Secondly, I deployed the right tools to counter the challenge – attitude, consistency, dedication and gaining the trust of my superiors and colleagues.
If not a broadcaster, what would have been your current profession?
If not a broadcaster, I would have chosen Public Relations (which of course, I’m still working towards) and Architecture.
How would you describe the radio industry of Ekiti State? Kindly highlight a few things that need improvement.
• The Radio industry in Ekiti is growing at the pace of the state in general. The competition is quite keen and aggressive. Having about 10 radio stations to satisfy a compact space, and highly intellectual people with diverse opinions can be herculean. It places a huge burden on the broadcast stations to develop very serious content to compete favourably.
• Training needs to be improved to get the best from broadcasters
• welfare of staff should also be paramount
• solid content should also be at the forefront because that is what drives a station
• from the part of government, power supply must be improved
If you have the chance to fix anything today in broadcasting in Nigeria, what could be that pressing thing on your mind?
• Quakery is a challenge that broadcasters must fight this collectively. The profession being a non-linear one allows every Tom, Dick and Harry to join. That’s not so nice. I think there has to be proper regulation in the industry. The fact that you like the profession or the glamour and fame that come with it does not mean it is meant for you. As I always say, there’s no half-measures in broadcasting. If you have it, you have it, if you don’t have it, you don’t have it. Good voice texture, mastery of language of practice, confidence, brilliance, eloquence among others are what a broadcaster must embody. People should not come to the job by happenstance or see it as a poverty alleviation scheme or to fight boredom.
What advice would you give to young people aspiring to become broadcasters, especially in Nigeria?
• One must possess the right attitude to life: Beyond talent which drives the profession comes attitude and character. Talent can take one to the summit of the profession, but one needs attitude and character to retain top position
• Dedication: This cannot be overemphasized because money doesn’t come so quickly or easily on the job. One has to carve a niche for himself to become really marketable. That’s when money comes. But in the meantime, one has to be committed, dedicated, hardworking, consistent and trust the process.
• Association: One of shortcuts or cheat codes to being good is to associate with the right guys in terms of brilliance, work rate and professionalism.
• Networking: A broadcaster must build a wide contact base and maintain good relationship with them.