Not many are aware that popular on-air-personality, Opute Pius Junior, more popularly better known as Diplomatic OPJ has left WAZOBIA FM as each time
Not many are aware that popular on-air-personality, Opute Pius Junior, more popularly better known as Diplomatic OPJ has left WAZOBIA FM as each time callers to his popular radio programme call in to ask of him are usually told he is ‘on leave’. Well, for those who may have suspected something fishy judging by how long Diplomatic OPJ has been ‘on leave’, he has indeed left the radio station. In a statement made available, he explained that the management of the station was pressured to terminate his appointment because of his constant criticism of government’s bad policies.
“I Opute Pius Junior popularly known as Diplomatic OPJ hereby wield this medium to officially announce to the public and our teeming fans that I and my radio team that comprises of Fisayo, Najite, and Vanessa are no longer with Wazobia FM nor with any other sister station under AIM Group. It has been a wonderful and very interesting 10 years experiencewith Wazobia FM, Lagos. For avoidance of undue speculations and suspicions I chose to advance reasons for my exit here. It should be kindly noted that my employers ordinarily wouldn’t have have let me go but was pressured to pressure me to ask for the termination of my employment. It should also be known that I am not in the list of bought-over Journalists and never been known to have been receiving brown envelopes from politicians to sing their praises.
“There is so much things to say but let me point out my suspected offences in a repressive system.
- I never said what all Nigerian politicians but very few wanted to hear.
- I refused to be biased and partisan in my stand point in my critical analysis of political affairs and anti-people government policies that never bettered the lives of the Nigerian people.
“I want to say here that I’ve never been inciting in my presentation on radio and I haven’t been fined by Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for breaching the broadcasting code but a few warning letters had been received which is normal anyway. It should be reckoned that with my many years of practical experience in broadcasting from FRCN, I should be able to perform my duty within the armbit of the Nigeria broadcasting code and Freedom of Information bill. It should also be noted that while the previous administration arbsorbed criticisms from the media and majorly from the opposition parties including the now ruling APC government, this regime is not tolerant of criticism.
“I am also of the feeling that my management feared that the bulldozers that demolished a part of Ayefele’s music house in Ibadan may soon come for WAZOBIA FM in Lagos and so without consultation or notice, the management decided to send me on a three-month compulsory leave to commence in 1,September till 1, December, 2018. Lo and behold, I rejected the unsolicited the three – months compulsory leave especially when I realized that the same management never granted me such a long stay off work when my wife passed on two years ago and requested the management to terminate my employment and pay me off without further delay.
“Sequel to my demand, my employment was relunctantly terminated three weeks after and now I am free to take up employment elsewhere. No doubt, it was 10 years of productive and meritorious service to WAZOBIA FM. Finally, I would like to relay my sincere appreciation to my programme crew members; Fisayo (Fissy Dollars), Najite (Jite Ruppies), Vanessa (Vanny Bloom), Hypeman David (Davizy) and the Reggae Everywhere duo – B’Clean(Stay Clean No Dirtiness) and Black Simeon for your courage and solidarity with me. On behalf of all ex Evening Oyoyo Crew I want to thank our faithful radio audience for the followership and for the unflinching love, I also want to assure you all that by God’s grace, Insha Allah, we will be together again on radio. We love you endlessly.
God bless you all.
Much love from me –Opute Pius Junior (Diplomatic OPJ), The Voice of the masses.”
Samurah.com
