Trae Days

Maybe now ain’t the very right time to blog on DAAR communication’s television station: AIT (Africa Independent Television) and radio station: Ray Power 100.5. Because they ain’t in the news right now nor am I feeling a 100% passion for the topic as I’m writing right now. But anyway what I’m about to talk about has been on my mind for a long time. So it’s best I spill the beans now or never.

If ever the history of radio and television is written in Nigeria…or specifically Abuja, AIT and Ray Power owned by the energetic entrepreneur: Raymond Dokpesi will certainly be mentioned. Because for real those two media outfits did lots to change the lives of Nigerians for the better information wise. From the recent launching of their new Abuja office, AIT and Ray Power have really come a long way. Ray Power came to Abuja sometime in early 1999 and AIT later in the year. Before then man, Abuja residents didn’t know the meaning of choice. Despite being the nation’s capital, Social life in Abuja was fucked. All we had media wise was a dumb old Radio Nigeria AM station specializing in boring Hausa programs and a socially lifeless NTA Channel 5 Abuja. But with the coming of Ray Power and AIT things changed man, big time…for the better. People now began to enjoy and feel the power of music and enjoy entertainment at a first class level. As a caller once said on a program on Ray Power it was like all of a sudden everyone felt proud owning a radio and wanted to blast his/her’s at the loudest level. With them Abuja residents felt more in touch with happenings in their surroundings. It might sound funny now but the concept of phoning in to a radio/TV program (one you’re really enjoying for that matter) and commenting was new then and turning heads all over. Really if truth be told Ray Power was life in 1999 and early 2000 (that’s before their closure). With the hardworking duo of Kenny (Keke) Ogungbe and Dayo (D1) Adeneye (now managing Kennismusic and PrimeTime Africa, formerly known as PrimeTime Jamz) and their wonderful presenters like Steve the sleek Kadiri, Dennis the Menace, Lola, Obiora Ilo – news department, Mitchell Obi and Ejiro Omonode – sports department, a certain presenter (on Ray Power) with a northern name who used to make we stay awake all Sunday nights to listen to his captivating voice etc Ray Power and AIT was going places. And the Ray Power slogan and boast then of being: “Africa’s numero uno” was truly worth it. Then Hip Hop and R&B in Nigeria was just experiencing a rebirth and Ray Power was at the peak of the progress march. Ask musicians like 2face of the Plantashun Boiz, Eedris Abdulkareem, Tony Tetuila etc and they’ll tell you that they owe a lot to Ray power for the start of their careers.

But now things done change. They went through a lot of difficulties. Difficulties like financial squabbles with the NTA (Nigerian Television Authority) over CAN 2000 broadcasting rights, which they lost and cost them a lot of money, closure for quite sometime in 2000 due to inability to pay up debts owned to banks (at a time they were about going international). Which marked the end of their wonderful era as when they came back they lost some of their best staff and couldn’t quite find their footing again. And the burning of their Abuja office in 2001. But despite all these short comings it’s still good to know they are on their feet today. And are still surviving in the present day choked up Abuja TV and radio environment. Life is a struggle and that of DAAR communication’s AIT and Ray Power has been a tough one. Kudos must be given to them for their strong determination and to their audience for supporting and sticking with them.

AIT’s logo

Related posts:

1. People power
2. Letter to Hot FM 98.3, Abuja
3. Third term observations