Oyo govt inspects BCOS studios gutted by inferno, says no lives lost 

The Oyo state government on Thursday inspected the recording studios of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), gutted by severe inferno.

This is coming twenty-four hours after an inferno gutted the station on Wednesday.

The fire was triggered by a power surge caused by the sudden restoration of power by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

During the inspection, the deputy governor, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, described the inferno as a severe burning while expressing gratitude to God that no lives were lost. 

Lawal, who disclosed that his Excellency, Seyi Makinde had sent him to make official assessment of damages, noted that from the physical damage, it is quite extensive, but he must give thanks to Almighty that no lives were lost. 

According to him, No amount of physical damage can replace lives. 

“We trust in the ability of government to make any damages right, and we’re waiting for a thorough report from BCOS to provide Governor Makinde.

“This place is more than 47 years old. So, you need to come up with a template with the way the government can assist.”

The deputy governor, who was in company of top government functionaries commended the Chairman of the Corporation, Mr Dotun Oyelade for transforming BCOS into modern taste.

He said: “Our chairman here has done a human job in transforming BCOS from what it was from what it’s now except for the fire inferno that broke out yesterday. 

“Anybody who knows this place from 10 years and now would understand the improvement both in services and environment.”

The government would be ready to act quickly, according to Lawal, who also stated that the chairman has been instructed to submit his draft as soon as possible. 

He emphasized that since the start of this government, the governor had been able to hold several interviews, describing how the building had changed under Dotun Oyelade’s supervision in contrast to how it was ten years ago. 

He added that the government can not allow the place to go down because it remain the official broadcasting outfit of the government. 

He further stressed that the chairman had just stated that the BCOS was being broadcast on GOTV and Star Times, emphasizing that the government will work to maintain the relationship. 

The affected areas included the studio, the make-up studio and the television studio, with equipment worth millions of naira destroyed.

Meanwhile, the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Oluyole FM, has resumed transmission. The resumption of the radio arm of BCOS is a temporary arrangement.

It was initiated by the station’s engineering crew to manage the extensive damage caused by the inferno.

Executive Chairman of BCOS, Prince Dotun Oyelade, regretted the serious damage done to three of the corporation’s studios.

He, however, assured that everything would be done to ensure a temporary semblance of normal transmission.

On the entourage of the deputy governor include Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Bayo Lawal; Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon. (Alhaja) Fausat Joke Sani; Chairman Civil Service, Alhaji Aderibigbe; maintenance workers among others.