By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed sympathy to the management and staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) following a fire incident at the Radio Nigeria Broadcasting House in Ikoyi on Wednesday evening.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor described the incident, which damaged two buildings, including control rooms, music, and radio studios, as “unfortunate.”
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the fire originated from an air conditioning unit before spreading to adjoining buildings. The agency’s statement, signed by its Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, detailed the sequence of events leading to the escalation.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed concern over the significant loss of property caused by the fire, estimated to be worth millions of Naira, and described the incident as a major setback for the FRCN.
He said, *“It is with a heavy heart that I received the report of the fire outbreak that occurred at the Radio Nigeria Broadcasting House in Ikoyi on Wednesday evening. The incident is unfortunate considering the amount of property and equipment destroyed during the inferno.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the management and staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), particularly those at Radio Nigeria’s Lagos office.”*
The governor also commended the swift response of emergency agencies, including the LASEMA Response Team, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, and LASAMBUS officials, whose efforts prevented the loss of lives and brought the fire under control.