How Wazobia FM Was Pressured To Sack Me—Diplomatic OPJ

One of the voices on popular Lagos-based radio station, Wazobia FM, Opute Pius Junior, otherwise known as Diplomatic OPJ, has said goodbye to the company.

According to the Delta State-born On-Air Personality (OAP), he decided to leave the station because of his critical views on happenings in the country at the moment.

He accused the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being against any form of criticism.

According to a statement issued by him, some top government officials even went as far as asking his employers to sack him because of his views on radio, a thing he said the past administration of Goodluck Jonathan never did.

“I, Opute Pius Junior popularly known as Diplomatic OPJ, hereby use this medium to officially announce to the public and our teeming fans that I and my radio team comprising Fisayo, Najite, and Vanessa are no longer with Wazobia FM or with any other sister station under AIM Group.

“It has been a wonderful and very interesting 10 years’ experience with Wazobia FM, Lagos.

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“For avoidance of undue speculations and suspicions, I chose to state reasons for my exit here.

“It should be kindly noted that my employers ordinarily wouldn’t 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 was never known to receive brown envelopes from politicians to sing their praises.

“There are many things to say but let me point out my suspected offences in a repressive system.

  1. I never said what all Nigerian politicians but very few wanted to hear.
  2. 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 the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for breaching the broadcasting code but a few warning letters had been received which is normal anyway.

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“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 ambit of the Nigeria broadcasting code and Freedom of Information bill.

“It should also be noted that while the previous administration absorbed 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 on September 1 to December 1, 2018. Lo and behold, I rejected the unsolicited three-month 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.

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“Sequel to my demand, my employment was reluctantly 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,” the statement read.

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25 Comments - Write a Comment

  1. Prince Edet Aka Mr.Ogaji for Comedy · Edit

    Diplomatic_OPJ. Man of the People_ Nigerian people love u. So New Job must locate u soon. Better than that of Wazobia, We really miss you sir…. .this is Mr.Ogaji.

    Reply
  2. This Nigeria where democracy rule is stylishy becoming military rule and the fear of the Nigeria government is becoming the beginning of wisdom for wazobia FM I used to believed.

    Reply
  3. This Nigeria where democracy rule is stylishly becoming military rule and the fear of Nigeria government is becoming the beginning of wisdom for wazobia FM that I used to believed.

    Reply
  4. This is absolutely unfair, have been a listener of evening oyoyo for 7years, to a very large extent OPJ is very objective in his analysis but sometimes he talks base on bias and limited knowledge of the topic of discuss. Also there are some information which I believe should not be shared with the public base on their weight and possible negative consequence to the society that OPJ will divulge without dilution. He has a very good heart, he is a fearless journalist, I see Fela Anikulapo in him sometimes, I wish you success in your next line of action.

    Reply
  5. This is absolutely unfair and not good for democracy, I have been a listener of evening oyoyo for seven years, though OPJ tried to be objective in most of his analysis but sometimes he talks base on bias and limited knowledge. Also, there are some information he divulge to the public without dilution which are capable of breaching security in the society. He should have just been cautioned.
    He has a very good heart, he is a fearless journalist, l see Fela Anikulapo in him sometimes. I which you success in your next line of action.

    Reply
  6. This is absolutely unfair, have been a listener of evening oyoyo for 7years, to a very large extent OPJ is very objective in his analysis but sometimes he talks base on bias and limited knowledge of the topic of discuss. Also there are some information which I believe should not be shared with the public base on their weight and possible negative consequence to the society that OPJ will divulge without dilution. He has a very good heart, he is a fearless journalist, I see Fela Anikulapo in him sometimes, I wish you success in your next line of action.

    Reply
  7. I have said times without number that this country call Nigeria is zoo. It is a place where true is crime. They celebrate lies etc. I see it coming. Wazobia is compromised. OPJ your good work will take you to greater heights.

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  8. Gods judgment will not spare these evil politicians. They will never have peace. They can never Robb us of any program that give us Joy.

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  9. I love you Diplomatic OPJ.

    It is sad that those who rose to power through critical criticism are not tolerant to same criticism. That is autocracy which you stood against.

    Never mind. You are not alone in this struggle for good governance. Best wishes to you OPJ. We love you.

    Reply
  10. Nigeria can never be free or even move forward as long as those who speaks truth are always relief of their job despite positive contribution towards the growth of such firm.Diplomatic God is on the throne, he will be with you .I am also a victim of such .God will continue to be with us.

    Reply

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