
The sleepy ancient town of Efon Alaye in Ekiti State of Nigeria is deep in mourning as a foremost African Broadcaster, Chief kunle Olasope passed on within her at the age of 82 this Sunday.
Kunle Olasope was the first to cast the news on any African television in 1959 from the lawns of Government House, Agodi Ibadan on the first Television station in Africa – WNTV/WNBS after the Premier of the Old Western State, Chief Obafemi Awolowo had declared it open.
Chief Olasope moved to join Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, Abeokuta in 1976 where he mentored and developed many young Broadcasters in various aspects of presentation including this reporter.
He joined the Radio Organizations of Nigeria, (RON) led by Ishola Folorunsho and Earnest Okonkwo to cover the National Sports Festival tagged ‘Oluyole 79’.
Olasope was a veteran presenter of EVERGREEN MUSIC where he featured his favorite Roy Chicago.
Although his daughter, Jumoke announced the passing away of her father but Efon Alaye his birth place is in greet mourning.
Efforts to reach former President, Ibrahim Babangida his ally who honored him with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) proved abortive. Babangida had bankrolled Olasope’s health bills when he had challenges.
Olasope is one of the veterans expected at the Diamond celebration of TV in Africa expected to take off in Ibadan on Tuesday.