(This article is published online on 14th April 2009 as part of the SDAc's Social Change Information and Education Service)

Mr. Femi Sowolu Was Chosen Using SDAc's Social Development Impact Indicators...

1. For Being Relevant To Society: My Proud African and Beat The Nigerian Factor websites on their "About" pages state clearly that I believe an organisation cannot truly succeed in any environment it operates in, if it does not make a sustained and significant contribution to the socioeconomic development of the people. Not only will this enhance goodwill relations with the hosts, it also increases the chances of the organisation getting good quality manpower to recruit into various levels in the long term - and at lower costs.

2. For Using Mass Media/Information & Communications Technology(ICT) to boost the effectiveness of the things they do. Among other things, this allows them to increase the level of their audience's participation, and also increases the audience population that has access to the information, entertainment or education they offer.

3. For Developing People by informing/educating them, promoting responsible behaviour, Team-Working, Partnerships & Collaboration.

Who Is Femi Sowolu?

I have to make this confession: Before September 2008, I had NEVER heard the name "Femi Sowolu" before. How come? Well, I guess I must have been moving in the wrong circles or something, because if I had known this man was alive, and living in this country back in 2002 when I started out in business, I would have sought him out like I did people like Dr. Reuben Abati, Mr. Sunny Ojeagbase, Prof. (then Dr.) Pat Utomi) for tips and guidance.

But it Would Appear I Am Not The Only One With This Problem of not knowing about a man like Femi. You see, I was amazed to find that someone of Femi Sowolu's calibre, commands ONLY 8 results (of which ONLY 6 are relevant to him) when his name is Googled on the net. Ever tried it? Click the link below to see what I mean:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=femi+sowolu&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

THAT in itself is a perfect example of what I often talk/write about : Nigeria is a place where the BEST quality people will find little if any open or ready celebration of their achievements by their fellow citizens. It is only after they receive accolades and recognition from OUTSIDE our shores that most Nigerians go out of their way to find out who the Oyinbo people have found so worthy of reward! Which is quite sad indeed.

Consider Chinua Achebe, Philip Emeagwali and Wole Soyinka - to name just this few. These exceptional individuals were first celebrated and applauded abroad before Nigerians began to take notice of them. And even then, if you check today, in our schools and institutions of learning, VERY few treat books written by our literary giants as serious recommended text for study. Which is quite puzzling too, since those same books are seriously studied in OYINBO schools abroad, that many Nigerians would almost die to go (or send their kids) to study!

Here are excerpts describing Femi Sowolu from the few web pages Google found for me:

1. Website: http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-74136.0.html

A post by seun001 (m) titled Re: Gulder Ultimate Search 4 (IV)! read in part as follows:

Right from its opening shots, the narrator, ace broadcaster, Femi Sowolu, took viewers on a virtual tour of the scenic view of Shere Hills in Jos, Plateau State where, according to him, "Legend says time is lost…"

"This is Gulder Ultimate Search 4!," the narrator's barritone voice had boomed, signalling the commencement of the new edition of the reality TV show.

2. Website (cached by google. It is a snapshot of the page as it appeared on 27 Mar 2009 09:56:10 GMT.) :

Click here to view the page

In an account of his background, the following was written about "Olufemi Aderibigbe", the originator of Extremely Nigerian, who goes by the stage name Kwame:

"Kwame needed motivation and got it by watching those who did the job well. “People like Femi Sowolu, an epitome of professionalism – embodied all I wanted to be as a broadcaster. I really looked up to him.”

Now that's the kind of thing MORE of us need to be saying about those among us who are exceptional performers like Femi. Not shunning or ignoring them - or considering them inferior to their foreign contemporaries simply because they choose to be based at home. I honestly believe people like Femi can hold their own - and excel well above - many of their peers in the broadcast industry anywhere in the developed world.

3. Website: http://allafrica.com/stories/200812240230.html

Innocent Anoruo on 23 December 2008

Nigeria: Repositioning Entertainment Industry, My Agenda - Ogbeiwi, MTN Project Fame Music Director

Before Project Fame West Africa, what other shows had you featured in?

Before Project Fame (West Africa), I was vocal coach for West African Idols. Then I did Nokia First Chance. I was also the presenter for Spirit of David's Celebrity Takes II and I was narrator for Gulder Ultimate Search V under the guidance of Femi Sowolu, who was the voice.

4. Website: http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-27157.32.html

A post by "sirius (m)" Re: Dan Foster Is Leaving Cool FM?

... instead of idolising sum foreign peeps lets celebrate our own brothers like Femi Sowolu...

Thankfully, the few results I did find on Google still confirmed I was RIGHT in my rating of the CALIBRE of the Femi Sowolu personality I sought to know about. And THAT was good enough for me!

Why Choose A Presenter & NOT The Station?

Some people may wonder why I did not just stop at naming Radio Continental 102.3 FM as my No. 1 choice. I mean why bother narrowing down to individual personalities? Well, my answer is simple: I know from reading widely, and my experience from working for over seven (7) years in a fast paced multinational as a manager, that if an organisation does well, it is usually because some (possibly many BUT rarely ALL) of its members are high performers.

Now, Collin Powell in his own writing on management and leadership warned against FAILING to recognise and reward those individuals whose drive to excel make the company achieve it's desired goals. He explained that such individuals would only get frustrated over time if some decision maker - who prefers to treat everyone alike - refuses to to let those whose performances enhance the group's progress, see the benefits of continuing to do so.

It is in the same vein that I have chosen to single out Femi Sowolu - along with a few others - as worthy examples for other broadcasters in Nigeria to emulate. You may not agree with this thinking - and rightly so. But THAT - NAMING NAMES! - is how I have chosen to do this. Sorry O!

His Strengths As A Presenter - And His Impact

In case you wonder if I compared Femi Sowolu with any others before arriving at this score, the answer is YES. Unfortunately, because this is a case of individual personalities, I decided to leave off the ratings of other presenters I considered. Suffice to say that I considered ALL those I "short-listed" (yes !, I did my own INEC list!) in terms of their "all-round" abilities or their ability to impact effectively on a variety of areas at the same time. You could call it their degree of "completeness".

Mr. Sowolu, in my reckoning, is the most complete presenter in Nigeria. He performs virtually all the professional functions of a broadcaster VERY efficiently and effectively when on air. He KNOWS the POWER the medium he controls has, and uses it tactfully/to great effect. There are examples of how he did the foregoing in relation to recent political developments for instance. However I refrain from using them to avoid drawing negative attention to his person. But if you listen to his show, you will "catch" him in action, if I can put it that way.

1. Creative Conception: On his show, he reads out something called " Dates and Notable Events" - EVERY DAY. I don't know where he gets all the information from, but I KNOW many, many listeners will regularly tune in to hear him "eloquently" read out those interesting details every weekday morning. The best part I am sure for most people is the "personalised" astrological psychoanalytical report he ends with.

As religious as people are in this country, I am convinced a lot of them listen to Femi up till that point. Who would not like to hear what people born on his or her own birthday are "like". And who would not like to learn what GREAT people were born on the same day as s/he was? Then many of us want to know all these details about the birthdays of our siblings, parents, kids or even associates and friends - giving us good reason to tune in and listen to Femi each morning!

This man has "branded" himself so effectively - better than any other broadcaster I know. And I am certain that this is ONE major factor that is drawing greater attention - of listeners and advertisers - to the CBS show, and station!

2. A Great Coach/Facilitator: One thing I am certain of, Mr. Femi Sowolu is NO stranger to people development and coaching. From listening to him take on younger talents in interview conversation (like Obi Won recently), I can tell he is one who is at ease with himself and not threatened by others with potential.

The best part of Mr. Sowolu that I have been able to deduce however is that he is a VERY skilled ORGANISER or coordinator of talents. He strikes me as a man who can identify the different gifts each person has and bring such individuals together to complement one another in a team working environment.

By implication, I am saying Mr. Femi Sowolu is a key member of the Radio Continental team, and possibly the main driving force - the visioner - in that organisation.

Which does not mean others do not matter. Of course they do. It just so happens that, as is the case in every organisation that becomes great, there is ONE key influencing figure or personality that makes everything fall in place and work right - for the long term.

3. A Powerful Social Change Agent: I almost laughed myself hoarse on the day Femi took on those he called "Nigerian Copywriters" after listening to an Ad run on his station that ended with a little child's voice saying "Simply Noodle-licious!". In apparent disapproval of the blatant imitation of an earlier Noodles advert by the creators of this new promo, he said something along the lines of "Ah ah Nigerian copywriters. Can't you THINK?! These are things we used to do back then and I thought we set a high enough standard back then".

As usual he injected a bit of humour into it to soften the "blows" he had landed BEFORE going back and saying the imitation of the older noodle ad by this "Noodle-licious!" version was unacceptable, and that those who created it could have done better by being more original.

I have also had the opportunity to hear him comment on recent news coming out from parts of Nigeria relating for instance to "funny" results of Election Petition tribunal. Femi played his role as a broadcaster by pointing out the apparent "wrong" that the judgement announced represented.

There are times Femi comes up with his own "message for the world" like an "I Have A Dream" speech of his own, which he shares with his listeners. I always feel great after listening to him. It just makes me happy to know there are still some NORMAL (and I say this according to my INTERNATIONAL understanding of that word) human beings living and working right here in Nigeria. Which means all hope is NOT lost...yet!

4. An Impactful Speaker: Femi has an impressive (but not perfect - no one really is) command of his chosen language of communication: English. And he uses it to deliver clear "meaning" everytime he is on air. One thing that makes him so EASY to listen to is that he always "flows" - stringing words and sentences together in logical order, without breaking. No hmming or emming - or very occasionally anyway.

His vocabulary is impressive, and this explains why he is able to speak without using distracting mannerisms, which can be quite boring.

And let no one tell me that's because he was an english major in school! Why? Because ANYONE who wants to enjoy the luxury and priviledge of speaking to a "captive" radio or TV audience owes them a duty to BRUSH up his/her communication skills to the minimum standard to avoid abusing their sensibilities, instead of informing, educating and entertaining them!

Believe me, there is a lot more, but the above were enough to make me score Femi Sowolu an 8 out of 10 on my Social Development Impact Scale.

What He Can Do Better Or Different

No one is perfect. And Femi Sowolu is no exception. Having said that, only ONE thing clearly and readily jumps out at me that I wish he would do differently. Or to put it more accurately, what he could SAY differently.

Every now and then - though he has not done so recently - in asking his "Three Questions" which listeners respond to via phone text messages, he would say "Let's see how intelligent you really are". Sometimes he says, "let's see what your IQ is".

The thing is much as I know he does not mean it in any negative sense, I feel it is important that people are made aware that "intelligence" or even "IQ (Intelligence Quotient)", is really multi-dimensional, being influenced by culture, environment, heredity, and even the nature of activity for which "intelligence" is being measured or assessed.

As a result, it is NOT very safe to say you want to see how intelligent a person is, (or what his IQ is) based on his/her responses to a set of questions!

Read my article titled "What's Your Definition Of Intelligence? The Importance Of Making Finer Distinctions In Life" to learn more about this subject.

Apart from the above issue on "intelligence" - which is really no big deal anyway - I will say that Femi Sowolu is my MAN ON RADIO anytime!

Final Words - Kudos To My Favourite Others

Before I go, I feel I must mention other presenters on that station who really make my day anytime I listen to them:

1. Momoh Kubanji - This man DOES boast great experience, and when you want to get to the bottom of a subject, anyone he brings on his show - Kubanji Direct - comes under "fire" of his probing, oftentimes direct questioning. He's not mean or anything, but I honestly feel that he knows how to get REAL answers out of people. In fact, I personally call him "Larry King" of Nigeria.

2. DJ Mike Blue moon - If you are a public officer - working with government, or indeed if you run an NGO, you WILL be very smart to tune in to this gentleman's show in the weekdays from 5pm every evening. I think it's called "Drive Time Show" or something. What you will get is PRACTICAL, INTELLIGENT, high quality ideas on how to get things done to the benefits of large majority of the society - sometimes at little or no expense. This guy says he's travelled far and wide. For once, this is a Nigerian who can lay legitimate claim to that expression because his "thinking" reflects that fact! If only MORE of use would listen to and USE his suggestions, this society would rapidly improve in the way it WORKS. I exaggerate NOT!

Update On Bluemoon (1st July 2009) - Sadly, sometime last month(June 2009), I heard it announced on Radio Continental that DJ Mike Bluemoon passed on over a weekend. Was quite a shock. I personally believe it is a very great loss to this country. I honestly was beginning to envision a role for him in Nigerian politics in the near future - especially following his excellent "bashing" of the senators for their nonchalant attitudes to doing what they were voted into the senate for: passing bills that MAKE AN IMPACT positively in the lives of their constituencies!

Pity he had to leave so soon. Details about what caused his untimely death I am still not aware of. I however take solace in the fact that many people appreciated him - as reflected in the calls they made, and text messages they sent to the Drive Time show host who stood in him for him.

Then again when I see waste/litter bins standing on poles mounted along some areas in Lagos, I can't help recalling how he kept hammering on the need for those things to be put on the roads to make it easier for Lagosians to comply with requirement to keep Lagos clean.

There is one more thing he suggested that I recall: Lagos state government could make a lot of money by re-introducing parking meters that accept our under-used naira coins, and make those who wish to park their cars put coins into them! I wonder if anyone in government thinks they can do any good with this idea? Hmm ...guess we will just have to wait and see!!

In the mean time, I bid the articulate DJ with a passion/vision for social justice and development, farewell.

3. Mallam Mugun - I LOVE this guy called Suleman Ladani - who chooses to go by the mis-leading nickname of "Mallam Mugun". Whenever I listen to him on Radio, I can't help being amazed by the obvious passion in his voice that shows he really loves his job. But my cap goes off to him mostly because of the way he uses Radio to give feedback and also promote talent. For instance, I have heard him "dress down" a certain supposedly successful individual who reportedly "dissed" (or snubbed) some other person. He reminded the chap that success had come because of those he had snubbed, and that his celebrity status was a priviledge. Even more, Mallam Mugun presents "Naija Fiesta", a show that showcases up coming musical talent - and he does it well. Which brings me to a final point: This guy also sings. In fact he has a track he did in collaboration with.

4. Ayo Makinde - I won't say much about him, but I respect him greatly too. He is an original thinker and a REAL person. I love the way he handles his marriage relationships show. He knows what he is doing. I used to listen to him on the LTM (Lagos This Morning) show on 97.3 FM (I think that's the station). Can't be certain, but it is possible that I discovered Radio Continental when I "caught" his voice there while scanning my radio frequencies!

Should You Take My LATEST Ranking Seriously?

"So what? Who reads what is written on this site anyway?". My answer: You will be surprised to learn just how far from Nigeria many people who visit this site live/work. And you never know WHO might visit next!(But then you could argue that you are not accountable to such potential visitors, and you would be right).

Be smart - and think clearly. Tayo Solagbade/Self-Development Academy Limited/Spontaneous Development Dot Com may not YET have grown BIG enough to "get in your face", BUT that's exactly where we are headed! Qualitative, value-adding social change information, education and opinion, well packaged and delivered in a manner that it reaches a potentially unlimited audience, with potent impact, can successfully influence a significant change in the knowledge and attitudes of those who encounter it. That's what my work - in part - is about : Self-Development Education/Information for Positive Social Change/Development. You can choose to be part of the revolution NOW - or wait till someone asks you what you're waiting for!