By Yaqoub Popoola /Ado-Ekiti
Barrister Sina Awelewa
Recently, the immediate past Director General of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) Barrister Sina Awelewa acknowledged the immense contributions of his predecessors in office, in raising the bar of broadcasting in the nation’s fountain of knowledge and land of honour in particular and Nigeria at large.
Specifically on Friday 27th December, 2013, he instituted a maiden edition of Awards of Excellence where past managers of the state-owned media outfit were appreciated, among was the First Man to appear on Television in Africa Otunba Kunle Olasope.
Others were, engineer Tunde Erin, Mr Jide Olusola, and Mr Deji Ayelabowo.
Within his short period as Director General of the station, Awelewa brought about remarkable transformation to the hitherto moribund media outfit. For instance, upon assumption of office, Awelewa re- furnished about 40 operational vehicles belonging to the station.
The most celebrated among his achievements is the rebranding of the station where branded official jackets and other media instrument were distributed to workers for easy identification of staff.
He also worked for the emplacement of legal instrument for the station. “When I got here on 26 March 2013, I realised that BSES has been in
existence without an enabling law. The situation before now was like that of baby born without a birth certificate .But we were able to get a copy of the new law governing the activities of the broadcasting
house. We now have a law and we are now legal entity. We can sue and can be sued. We got the law from Ekiti State House of Assembly and the governor signed it into law in 2012.The law has become a guiding
document for this establishment.”
“With strong commitment and determination, I was able to repair and bring them back on road. There is an administrative block belonging to the
broadcasting House which has been abandoned for years which has been completed. Also, we have restored the damaged the street lights.
Another interesting thing is that, members of staff of this corporation did not have anything which can distinguish them from our visitors. This prompted me to introduce a new brand of Identity Cards.”
The erstwhile DG also raised the performance of the broadcasting House by ensuring that it is reckoned with by relevant agencies.
“There is what we call performance rating of all media organizations in Nigeria. We have an agency responsible for that. But, unfortunately, BSES was excluded, because the corporation could not pay the subscription rating fees for years. The implication of this is that, all the advantages derivable from the patronage of the multinational companies would elude the corporation. The companies will only patronize the rated media houses. We have paid the fees and it has improved our performances greatly. We also subscribed to Tracking”.
Part of his efforts to improved efficiency of workers was the introduction of many incentives for Staff. “For instance, there a time I entered the studio early in the morning and I discovered that the staffs were shivering as result of the cold whether occasioned by the effect air conditional. And then asked them what we can do to improved their condition and they said they needed tea. From my own purse I made provision that all staff members working in the morning shift should be provided with tea with two slices of bread everyday.
And they have been praying for me, even those who are not on morning shift now want to take part.”
In his remark, one of the awardees, Alhaji Deji Ayelabowo described the honour as befitting and unprecedented in annals of history of the station.
“I am delighted to express my very profound gratitude to the Management and the entire Staff of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State, BSES for giving me an Appreciation Award as a former General Manager of the Broadcasting outfit in Ekiti State on Friday, 27th December, 2013. No doubt, this Award to me is a call to Greater Service which I’ve graciously dedicated to the glory of God and the entire members of staff of the BSES. May the good Lord grant us all, peace of mind, very sound health and all our heart desires in the New Year. My gratitude to those who shared the joy of the day with me is of greatest magnitude. God bless you all.”
Few weeks before his exit in BSES ,Awelewa was honoured by the apex union of his community Ilawe Improvement Union (IIU).At the event attended eminent
Indigenes of the town, including ,The Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti ,Ajibade Alabi .
Oba Alabi described Awelewa as a shinning star of the community.