My UK tour exposed me to things that will improve my broadcasting career —Gbenga Oyato

Gbenga Olayiwola, a broadcaster, popularly known as Gbenga Oyato, has impacted many lives, especially marriages and the underprivileged through his various programmes. In this interview by SEYI SOKOYA, he speaks on his current foreign trip and his vision. Excerpts:

You have been out of the country for some time now. What informed your foreign trip?

I have been in the United Kingdom on a tour for about six weeks now. I have some weeks more to complete my mission outside the shores of the country. This development is part of my mission to connect with my fans abroad. It is part of my efforts to appreciate them in person for their support over the years.  I have been able to associate with my teeming Bamito fans in the United Kingdom.

 

How has the experience been on the tour?

It has been a wonderful experience as many of my fans keep appreciating me. They have been honouring and treating me like a king. The tour has also exposed me to new things that will boost my career as well as add value to the Nigerian broadcasting industry. On the other hand, I have also enjoyed my stay so far here. I want to use this medium to appreciate all my fans abroad. I have indeed had a swell time here. I was opportuned to celebrate my birthday in the UK recently, where popular Fuji musician, Alhaji Taye Currency thrilled my fans and me.

It was noticed that your popular programme was not halted despite you are not active in Nigeria, what is the secret? 

You are right, I will like to say this, I am a trained broadcaster; a graduate of Mass Communication who knows his onions. I always want to do something unique; I came with the latest equipment that can make me air my shows without a break because I don’t want to deny my fans what they are enjoying. I present from the UK and my fans listen to it both in the terrestrial and online platforms.

 

You claimed that your trip abroad has exposed you to fresh things in your career, could you share some with us? 

Yes, this trip exposed me to so many things in broadcasting and even in my career that people are going to be witnessing soon, regarding modern software, equipment, and other ICT gadgets. I cannot wait to explore all that I have gathered in the past few weeks. I am confident that my fans will have a new me soonest.

 

How did you discover your passion for broadcasting? 

I discovered my passion for broadcasting when I was in secondary school, I used to mimic the late ace broadcaster, Gbenga Adeboye and Prince Kolade Alabe then, later I went to a higher institution to study  Mass Communication and I started broadcasting under Alhaji Babatunde Onilewura in 2003. I later passed through some professional broadcasters at Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), Ile Awiye Osogbo including, Sola Bolaji, Moshood Sulaimon, Bukola Aderibigbe, Sola Awe, and others too numerous to mention before I went to Kano State in 2009 where I started my programme tagged, “Oyato”.

 

Is it true that the profession has become a lazy man›s job as some people believe that the profession now lacks experts?

It’s not a lazy man’s job, especially for a content broadcaster who knows how onions.

 

What has been your greatest challenge in this field of the profession?

Latest equipment; technology is advancing and it is making the job more interesting. I know that things can always get better in our industry in Nigeria. This is one of the reasons I was committed to exposing myself to the new advanced technologies of broadcasting in my current trip abroad.

 

What does it take to be a reputable broadcaster?

Anybody can broadcast, but it takes transparency and versatility to be a reputable broadcaster.

 

How would you describe your selling point? 

Calmness, versatility, and transparency to my fans. Though we are still young in the industry, we thank God for how far He has brought us. We are not resting on taking the broadcasting industry to a greater height.

 

How have you been able to impact society positively with your show?

My popular programme, “Bamito” has impacted lives and many marriages in the society because it addresses various issues in marriages. Also, we have empowered a lot of vulnerable people in numerous ways, including distribution of foodstuffs, equipment to start a business, pay school fees of some underprivileged in the tertiary institutions as well as hospital bills through the help of my fans.

 

You anchor many programmes, how has it been easy for you?

To God be the glory, I have been able to project and promote our Yoruba culture through what I know how to do best. I have series of Yoruba programmes such as “Bamito”, which centres on marriages on Tuesdays by 10 am; “Lagbo Osere”, every Friday at 11 am; “Ojutaye” on Saturdays by 6:30 pm and Talo’takin on Mondays and Wednesdays around 4 pm. Aside from all these, I am also a news Yoruba newscaster, all at Lagelu FM.

 

What is your advice for Nigerian youths?

Fellow youths must be focused and ambitious and prove to the government that we are industrious and can bring the government back to its rightful place to our lofty innovations.

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