Watch   out for Shooting Stars!!!

BY AYO ADEMOKOYA

(As the commencement of the 2017/2018 Nigerian National League which begins on the 31st of March 2018 hotsup, www.harohkah.blogspot.com.ng was at the camp of the darling team of the Yorubas,the Oluyole warriors of Shooting stars and give you the frank report on the preparation of Shooting stars who are poised to come out of relegation this season.

How realistic is their tall ambition? what are the steps been taken by the to echelon of the club to bring back the lost glory of 'SUTIN' these and many more you are bound to enjoy as you click www.harohkah.blogspot.com.ng for details..

Also get the free copy of the 2017/2018 Nigerian National League abridge League Fixture.)

It was Goke Solanke who first asked me how far with Shooting stars of Ibadan all the way from Canada. He wasn’t the only one interested in the camp of the darling team of the Yorubas since the team got relegated to the lower division last season. They all hope that the club would do the needful to make them happy again by returning to the elite division and one day restore back to the glory days.

That was how it got to me that I haven’t created time for football or any other journalistic venture since the demise of my father last October.

‘This is January’ I said to myself, ‘I just need to at least see for myself what’s on ground really’.

That feat was achieved on Friday the 19^th of January 2018 as I breezed into the stadium unannounced to watch the training match between 3SC and Sam Jarson FC of Lagos.

Earlier on the Thursday the 18^th of January, the team has walloped another team by 8:0 at the same Lekan Salami Stadium Adamasingba.

They had since piped Remo stars by a lone goal and plan more quality friendly football matches with the like of Osun United etc.

Below are my observation.

Peace and harmony in the Executives.

Despite the incapacitation of the Chairman of Shooting Stars board of Directors, Alhaji Gbolagade Busari, he made it a point of duty to attend the training football match between Sam Jarson of Lagos and Shooting stars against all odds.

He was there on time as he struggles with his crutches to a vantage position beside the pitch. I thank God that since the unfortunate incidence that incapacitated him for the better part of 2017, I’m glad he came out of the ordeal alive, we can only wish his quickest recovery the more so that the club could benefit more from his immense wisdom as a veteran sports journalist and now an astute politician.

We sat together and had private discussion with him and he was honest enough. Before we met I learnt there hasn’t been unnecessary clamour for allowances and bonuses from these crops of players in camp. My informants around the team had updated me that the boys and management are happy.

I also learnt beforehand that at least the boys are been paid regularly in the last 3 months despite the fact that the league hasn’t started.

The General Manager, Rasheed Balogun arrived on time to see the first goal. The goal was scored by a new boy who I learnt was fished out from Ikorodu. It was a beauty of a goal in early minutes of play, so I rest some of my fears seeing more goals pouring in afterwards, not just ordinary goals, but what we can call ‘What a week!’ or ‘Television goals’.

In his usual manner Balogun was in high spirit joking with everyone and you can see the synergy between him and Mr Chairman. There is no rancour at all. I believe such a symbiotic relationship exist among the trio of the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barrister Yomi Oke and the ‘two both of them’ (don’t mind me)

In the past, there has always been one form of rancour or the other in echelon of the cub which often affect major decision making. But the little I’m privy into as far as the relationship at the top in the hierarchy of sports and Shooting Stars is indeed very mutual.

The mutual and symbiotic relationship at the Executive level of the club brought about the choice of the new coach and the technical crew in unison with no divergent views which gave me and other enthusiasts hope and confidence for the forthcoming season.

‘Ayo, you seems to be impressed with this team but its work in progress,’ the GM began is chat with me, ‘I am still working on some lapses here and there for instance we played a match yesterday thursday… and there was a particular boy from that team which gave us headache…’  He paused and decided not to divulge the information further about the team any longer.

I also changed the topic as I am not really interested in what I am told but what I see as we continue to enjoy how Balogun’s squad pummeled Sam Jarson by 4:1

My conclusion is that once there is no rancour at the top, success of the team is at least 30%

THE TECHNICAL CREW

From afar off, I saw Kola Ige working hard with the goalkeepers. I was happy for him and the club for giving such a talented and experienced former junior international a chance to grow. About a year ago Kola told me that he is rounding up his studies at the Nigerian Institute of Sports in Lagos and I’m impressed with the way the young man is reorganising his career. I think he came for internship at the club and fortunately I learnt that Coach Lateef Yusuf has been on attachment with the National under 23 female team. So good for Kola to transfer is wealth of experience to the next generation. All of us would agree with me that Kola Ige was one of the best hand we have in the land and if not for one thing or the other the would be the first choice for the Super Eagles right now but fate has its own way of determining ones destiny. I saw hunger and the will to succeed on his face and this is good for the club for recycling a worthy ambassador and ex-players of theirs and good for the fans to have a resurgence in that department of the game

Defence.

Yomi Adigun aka Ogboju is one hell of a defender for 3SC in his hay days. ‘Ogboju’ was a very discipline captain of the team who could have made it to the national team if not for the lack of god father. He picked up a career in football coaching and in my presence the GM and the Chairman approved a certain amount of money to argument the fees he needed to begin a course at the Nigerian Institute of Sports in Lagos. The club is benefiting from the investment and I’m happy the GM saw a talent in him and gave him the chance to grow with the team as an intern. He is there working with them as an intern.

Kabiru Alausa was a prolific striker fpr 3SC in his hey days and for about 2 season now he has been integrated in to the technical crew of the team as one of the back room staff, though I really do not is designation I believe he is working with the coach who was also a clinical finisher in his hey days, no wonder 3SC is recording a high scoring margins against her opponents since the assumption of the new coach.

Yinka Gullit Baboni

I haven’t any personal relationship with the newly appointed assistant coach of the 3SC who was formerly with the under 15 team of the club.

I had prior knowledge of his appointment as the assistant coach of 3SC and was privy to the circumstances that threw him up been the clear choice of the Chief Coach, the General Manager,  Chairman and the honourable commissioner for sport. There is a clear synergy between him and Agoye and the GM right from his days as the under 15 coach of 3SC. He is diligent, intelligent and very hardworking.

The Chief Coach

Edith Agoye.

I need not to say much about this loyal personality. He spent years at the background as an obedient servant to some chief coaches of 3SC and waited for his time. He never spoke ill of his predecessors neither was he dangerously ambitious to take over reigns of the technical crew and was never involve in any controversy on and off the pitch.

 Often time he was the spokesman at every at post matches the club was involved speaking the mind of the coach the team and the management. ‘What a trust! What a duty!’

Once or twice via the telephone, I’ve chatted with him and I can authoritatively tell you that Edith Agoye is the right choice for the job.

The Team Manager

The Team manager is like a brother to me. He was my senior in our secondary school days and was such an idol having played for the junior team of the National team and eventually the super Eagles of Nigeria. He was an hero the Nigeria league and the Spanish La Liga with the Real Madrid.

Dimeji Lawal coordinates the team very well and with his wealth of experience both at the national and international level, players and officials of 3SC are benefiting from the depth of his experience.

I followed him on the social media recently and Im amazed at how he was able to intelligently educate and responds to peoples bias toward the management of 3SC and the team as far as Sunday Faleye’s transfer saga with Akwa United was involved. I later commend him for the impressive and matured manner he handle the case till Chief Paul Bassey himself publicly denied the boy and affirm that Faleye is owned by 3SC and not Akwa United. He is a very good team manager.

My view.

The team

From my experience with 3SC in the past, the problem with 3SC team has never been the team. There was a particular year where the team can boast of about five players in the national team( 2011/2012 season) and yet got relegated at the end of the season.

The main problem has always been internal bickering and lack of motivation for the players which affect the focus of the entire team.

Right now the helm of affairs of Shooting stars has gotten it right by been in harmony with themselves. The commissioner, the Chairman and the GM are in one accord and that has transcended into the collective choice of the chief coach and the assistant coach.

This has brought about harmony in the choice of players forming the team

3SC now has a team from my own point of view. The present crop of 3SC is led by Waheed Omololu and I saw at least 40% of the old players in the team. Players like Bode Daniels, Abayomi etc were in the ‘killer squad’ while the ‘new schools’ are now well blended into the team.

Yea, I noticed two or three exceptional players. I wouldn’t want to disclose their names but there was a particular boy whom I learnt is recruited from a particular club in Ikorodu, that boy was a star to behold judging from the way he scored the first goal against Sam Jarson from a very impossible angle, only an intelligent player could perform such a feat!.

3SC now has a team full of cohesion, style tactics and strategies.

From my findings, each department of the team could boast of at least three players. So it’s a team with depth. And talking about the bench, this also is qualitative, not just a quantitative bench.

With focus and prayer and no distraction from any quarters especially as afar as their motivation is concerned, 3SC would be the first to qualify from their group even weeks before the end of the 2018 Nigerian National League.

The Technical crew

If we sum up the characters in the technical crew of 3SC, we will notice young and experienced Technical crew who are hungry to establish a name. Those are the kind of people we need. Young brilliant coaches that are hungry for success. Coaches that are committed to the team not the money perse. Coaches who have a kind of history with the club, a kind of affinity and family bond that goes beyond the pay. Young coaches who are ready to make name for themselves and not those who already lost the passion burning in them.

The Fans

Another problem litigating against the progress of Shooting stars is the Supporters club and the fans.

Shooting stars has one of the most vociferous football fans in Nigeria. Their criticism could be constructive as well as destructive.

But judging from the attitude as I saw from the state general supporters club, University of Ibadan branch of 3SC supporters club, there seems to be a kind of re orientation among them in terms of how best to support the team,

The Dr Oyeniyi led Supporters has gone far by employing a consultant to help raise fund for the activities of the supporters which they can also use to support the team.

This is a welcome development unlike in the past when the supporters of the club would be at the beck and call of the club for funds and failure to do so means trouble for the entire management and the team

Throughout last year, I am Impressed with the attitude of the Professor Ayelari led Shooting stars supporters club of University of Ibadan branch,

This is a group of supporters from the academic institution with about 100 members who came together despite their academic stratifications to help the club.

They contribute money out of their personal sweat and even host the team. This step is commendable and that is why my organisation in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports led by Femi Ajao in the South West deemed it fit to honour the association last year 5^th of December.

I believe the main supporter club for the team would follow suit and there would not be any rancour or embers of disunity in and around the club this time around.

The staff

I learnt there was a kind of restructuring in the area of staffing. I really do not poke my nose in that area but I learnt some staff were either sacked, suspended or queried.

This has sent the right signal to the staff that seem lackadaisical to their duties in time past.

It’s a wakeup call really and it’s a good development.

The Press.

I think the media officer of 3SC, Honourable Jubril Arowolo Are of 3SC is doing wonderfully great. He has a very good relationship with the press and that is paying off for the club as we hear or read less of negative stories due to this long term relationship of Jubril with the members of the press.

Nevertheless the club could do better in improving their relationship with the press in a special way.

I also want to enjoin the member of the press to rally round of the team this time around regardless of the situation as we are the first victim if sports, football and 3SC are dead in Oyo state.

I can assure you that if the situation goes bad, I would be the first to write an OBASANJO like letter to the board.

But for now we pass our votes of confidence in the entire team, management and staff.

Thanks and God Bless

We   faced Attitudinal, Finance and Spiritual attacks before Light FM could be   established… Dr. Tobi Oyekanmi

                              By Ayo Ademokoya

(This is the concluding part of the exclusive interview by www.harohkah.blogspot.com.ng with the Founder and CEO of Light FM online radio and Ibadan based online radio station. Enjoy it as tune in to www.lightradio.com.ng)

After speaking about how Light FM online radio started which I believed you have read in the last edition of the exclusive interview with Pastor (Dr.) Paul Oluwatobi Oyekanmi , I  dabbled into other issues like the kind of challenges faced by him being the founder of the fast growing online radio…. Click www.harohkah.blogspot.com.ng to read full details of the exclusive interview

From my experience as an entrepreneur, I made sure I drilled him thoroughly to get facts from him and I am glad to affirm that the Light FM radio has the type of executive in Pastor Tobi who can steer the ship of the company to a glorious shore.

‘Power, I mean electricity has been the major problem confronting us in this business’ 

He responded swiftly.

‘Can you imagine that we spend as much as Twelve thousand naira fueling the generator? This is absurd for an establishment that is not generating advert at all because the gestation period between the acceptability and marketability of such an investment takes a little while

‘It’s frustrating that business in this country has to survive on its own manpower without  the basic amenity like constant power supply needed 24 hour by a budding broadcast station’.

‘The second major obstacle hindering our growth is funding. Light FM radio is a faith based project and I must confess it is not easy raising funds here and there to keep the project going. Do you know that as small as we are right now, we require at least about 12,000 naira per day as running cost for our day to day activities?

‘So far the project has gulped nothing less than Eight million naira in the last two years without generation a percentage of whatever we have invested. But I thank God for he his Jehovah Jireh, the one who provides. He has sustained us so far with the help of our well-wishers which I will not start, mentioning their names. These our friends are based in Europe and America though some are here in Nigeria that believes in the dream, and we appreciate them a lot.

‘Another problem that is most discouraging is attitudinal .Though we have overcome it to a certain level the attitude of people towards a new business or a budding idea. Here in this part of the globe, a concept is not that easy to develop basically because of the attitude of our people. One is bound to meet people confessing negativity. Our Problem at first was attitudinal!

 ‘It is disheartening to hear insinuations from close friends and allies that ‘It seems Pastor Tobi does not know what he is doing?. I overheard them saying it several times that they don’t know why we are wasting money on Elephant project like floating radio station and wondered who will listen to us when we had over  Seven terrestrial radio stations in Ibadan at that time. Right now these has grown to about twenty radio stations alone in Ibadan, not to talk about the entire Oyo state and its environs.

‘Assuming we are not determined , we would have long jettison the idea, but we thank God today that against all odds, despite stiff competition and limited funds, The Light FM is marching on and the gate of hell cannot stand against it’!

‘Hallelujah!!!’ , I soliloquised and looked straight into his eyes, 

‘Pastor Tobi kind of guessed what I wanted to ask…

…Ummmm…Well the last one is what you may not believe… he continued

‘And that is, I cuts in

Spiritual!! He said

‘As a spirit filled man, we are faced with spiritual attacks as well.

‘Can you imagine the situation where all of us, I mean the entire staff including my humble self, fell ill at a go?’.

‘I mean at the same time all of us became critically ill and none can even open the station!. That may sound normal but that was absurd! After much prayer we discover it’s just an attack!

‘Also, there was a particular day we found a bat already dead inside the studio. This is a studio that it’s difficult for air and sound to penetrate,

 ‘How come a bat, of all birds, flew inside the studio and died right there?

This is another mystery! Only God protected us.

‘We already know the task ahead and we were well prepared too. Remember ‘we are not fighting against flesh and blood but all the principalities and powers in high places’.

‘There are times we go off air for no tangible reason. After contacting our engineers both home abroad to diagnose whether we had technical hitches may it be software or hard ware , we all would discover later was that nothing is wrong with any of our equipment. These are strange occurrences that only prayers could solve and God has been faithful so far

What are your staff strength?  I asked

‘Right now we have about 16 people working directly and indirectly with us, about Eight out of the 16 are volunteers who are permanent with us, while the other eight are guests artistes. We also have an engineer here in Nigeria and another software expert based in South Africa.

One thing I must thank God is that all of them are very dedicated. You may be amazed that what we give them for now is just allowances, an impress that could just take care of their transport and feeding too. What we can afford till date is just stipends to keep us going. Though we make sure that we provide feeding while at work and they all understand the vision and where God is leading us to’.

‘Anyway since we now have so many options to listen to as far as radio stations are concerned in this environment, there is this major question agitating my mind? I’d like you to let our people know the kind of programmes people can listen to and enjoy on Light FM online radio station? I asked

‘Well…. he sighed

‘I’m sure you want me to say Evangelism ….

I smiled..

‘But … really , Light FM is a secular station that preaches morals. Unlike most radio stations who would do anything for commercial purposes. We are out to educate and entertain our people not only here in Nigeria but also in the Diaspora.

 ‘Ye are the light of the world’ the bible says, so whatever music we play, whatever programmes we package, has the consciousness of morality embedded into it. We have good music too which you can listen to.

‘For now, we are not into news because of the sensitivity and volatility of the polity. We have to be careful about the kind of news we are to disseminate at this point in time of our nascent democracy, which is why we are strictly a programme oriented station. Of course, we have sports programme too with capable hands here and there handling our various programmes.

‘And  ...what are these programmes… if I may ask?

Pastor Tobi readjusted himself on his seat opposite mine, I used that opportunity to also readjust by changing from the right hand to the left which that I had been using to record  for over an hour the interview started and I’m getting weary myself.

‘My Vision time’ after clearing his throat… 

This is one program I designed some time ago which deals with prophecies and future occurrences. Part of it also deals with interpretation of dreams and so on .Remember this was on Yinka Ayefele’s online radio before it became Fresh FM and the programme is still waxing stronger on Light FM online radio.

‘Ni faaji Lawa is a Yoruba musical program  and  we also have ‘So kutu wowo’ while ‘Aye Awa Obinrin and Olowo Sibi’ are specifically designed r the women.

‘These and many more are some of our programmes we have designed for the enjoyment of our listeners worldwide, they are interactive as listeners could call in on various platforms be it twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc we are still researching on more programme which are in the pipeline. That is our joker which I will not reveal for now.’

I tried to sum up the troubles of this young man and figure out what benefit he is deriving for going through all these trouble. I wonder if there is anything makes him happy... Since this is yet to be a money spinning project.

‘Yes, financially the business is not lucrative but we believe it will very soon. My

joy really lies in seeing that people are listening to us. I feel on top of the world whenever I get feedback from our listeners all over the world.

‘Right now we have listeners in the United Kingdom, Germany, Dublin and even in the United States of America. I also get feedback from African countries like the South Africa, Guinea, and Zimbabwe. 

I’m particularly excited that we are fulfilling our vision,

I then asked him what makes him sad.

‘I think I said it earlier that attitudes of some of our people could be discouraging. But I thank God for the kind of staff that I have, they are so encouraging and gives me the reason me to keep go on. Sometimes they use their personal means to keep the station running and that always ginger me up whenever I feel discouraged’ he reacted spontaneously.

‘I pierced straight into his gaze and wanted to know where he expect the radio station  to be in the next five years, Pastor Tobi was  modest and apparently was dodging my question

‘Well…I can’t say much right now because everything belongs to God and only Him can predict where and what we would be in the future…

..But is this how the station would continue? I boxed him into a corner

‘Nope..’ he smiled, ‘ my expectation is that God should grant us the licence to go terrestrial. As you can see, this is not our permanent site, we hope one day, we will move to our own building, we also need transmitters and other equipment

‘That cost a hell of money…’ I cut in

‘..Yea, at least we need about Eighty million naira to achieve all these and that is why I said, only God can do it and we believe he will do it.

Before I round up this interview, I would like you to advise people out there and to thank all those who has been supportive of your vision

‘First of all I would like to thank our mother, Reverend Dr Alice Olufunmilayo Oyekanmi for her support in various ramifications. I will also want to use this opportunity to thank all those who have been supporting us financially, only God will reward them. I need to thank them for believing in us and I assure you all that we will not let you down.

To Nigerians in general, money is not everything, it is disheartening these days to see that the fourth quarter of government, that is the media is heavily compromised. We need to stay focus on the ethics of the job. We are the watchdog of the society and we need to inform and educate our people, serve them the truth and nothing but the truth so that we can place this place, our world a better place to live in.

As I left his office that fateful Tuesday morning of 23rd of January, 2018, I knew very soon, if the lord tarries Light FM is the next big thing to rule our world!!!

Light FM online radio is here to lighten up our world of Darkness…..Dr. Tobi Oyekanmi

By Ayo Ademokoya (Part 1)

(Kindly  log on to www.lightradio.com.ng to listen to Light FM online Radio)

Looking at his petite’s posture a far off, one is bound to be deceived at the seemingly unassuming nature of the young man but after spending few minutes with him one will discover a real man saddled with the responsibilities of reaching out to as many souls as possible.

He is someone that is burden with how to empower our youth and what to do to make life a better place to live in.

These and many more reasons are the motives behind our approaching this erudite Doctor of Theology, Founder and CEO, Light FM online radio station few weeks ago at his Odo Ona- Elewe office inside the church premises of the Light of Christ church, (Aladura), Ibadan .

Though it could be a bit difficult to meet with this man who I believe twenty four hours is not enough for him to attend to many who throng his office daily either for counselling or business purposes yet took time out of his busy schedule to  reach out to many who crave for his attention as well as concentrate on the business of growing his  online radio station,  Light FM which he hope will lighten up the darkness in our social, spiritual, economic and emotional world.

As scheduled www.harohkah.blogspot.com.ng on ground, as soon as the gentle man knows we are around rushed out from the cubicle where the studio is and in his usual soft spoken manner he said

‘Egbon e jo e fun mi ni few minutes more …’

I sat quietly waiting for him to finish up whatever he was doing after all this is the day the lord has made for both of us to share few experiences which I believe would be beneficial to millions out there. Here is a guy who started something from nothing and I believe his story would go a long way in encouraging readers out there to do something right away instead of complaining about the harsh economic situation of the country.

The question is who is this person and why would harohkah take his time to meet this young determined man?

‘I am Dr Tobi Oyekanmi,’ he began after clearing his throat

 ‘I am clergy with the Light of Christ Church here in Ibadan, founder and the CEO Light FM radio station. I went Bishop Akinyele Primary school at NTC road, Ibadan for my elementary education before proceeding to Command Secondary School, Odogbo, Ibadan all in Oyo state. I later left the country for greener pasture in Europe and had to come back to contribute my own development to the growth of the nation.’

He was precise with his introduction but I was more interested in why he had to leave the country for greener pastures and why he had to come back instead of staying put abroad..

‘Abi pasture no come green again?’ I retorted

‘Like every young man’ he sighed

‘We all had a dream which we think we can fulfil when we go abroad. I’m of no exception but after spending some time in the UK, I felt the urge to come back home and develop something, it seems a weird phenomenon really, but I think going abroad does not translate to going to paradise!

‘It’s good to go out there for a while, get the necessary exposure and education and better come back to help our society. Staying put abroad could be tantamount to self-imprisonment or slavery. I felt the urge to come back home and establish something that would contribute to the growth of the nation. It’s not been easy though, but I thank God so far.

 So how have you been contributing so far?

As I said, I am a clergy man with the Light of Christ Church and God has been so faithful, as you know, I’ve been into music for over 20 years now with couple of records released on my label, but I have always fancy the media though I studied computer Science, I found out that I have a natural inclination towards the media though I have couples of friends and uncles as a media practitioner.

So why ruminating over other business I can do I had to establish this online radio which was second or third in Ibadan after my big brother and mentor, Dr. Yinka Ayefele began his Fresh FM which is now a terrestrial radio.

How did you do that’ I inquired the more

'Well as I said, I had few messages for the world and bro Yinka Ayefele gave the platform to get messages to the world. He gave me airtime on his online radio and I was producing my program from home, a thirty minutes programme titled ‘My vision time’ after which I will later send to his radio station transmission.

This went on for a while and when he got his licence to go terrestrial, I said waooow! just like that so I began to have the idea to establish ours too and with no big fund today here in Ibadan with not too big a fund and I can boldly say that we are probably the second online radio in Ibadan and perhaps rated between numbers one to three!

‘So how old is The Light FM and what are the Philosophies behind the establishment of the online radio station?’

‘We are now two years officially even though we have been around since 2015 or so but officially we took off in 2016.

‘Our main aims and objectives at the light FM are to provide employment and empower some of our youths through the provision of a strong platform like the Light FM to showcase their God given talents. You see when Jesus was preaching somewhere in the book of Mathew Chapter 14 verse 19 and also  Mark 16 verse 41 where he made sure he attended to their physical needs too when they were hungry. It’s of no use to just preach to people and not fulfill some of their needs too. And I am glad in our own little way we have people working with us directly and indirectly.

‘The second reason is to educate and entertain people. This is a secular station though but we teach morals. So many things go on air these days that are appalling. One may not blame the radio station now because everything is about money and not the content but we are objective enough to focus on positive value that would develop the minds of our listeners and not to destroy them even when we are not making money. We are trying to change the orientation of our people through quality programming for now and we are still with our drawing board working hard on what and what to do to really make the difference, which we are doing’.

To be continued

(Watch out for the struggles and challenges, the successes recorded and future plans of the light FM in the concluding interview)