Emirate 98.5 FM Launched in Ilorin, Set To Promote Culture, Peace And Development
The Kwara State media landscape witnessed a major boost on Thursday, January 1, 2026, with the official commissioning of Emirate 98.5 FM, a new radio station established to promote cultural values, peace, and grassroots development across the state and beyond.
The commissioning ceremony, held at the Emirate Radio House, Ilorin, attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, media practitioners, and community leaders from within and outside the state.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Emirate Radio, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, described radio as a powerful and enduring tool of mass communication, capable of informing, educating, and uniting people, particularly those in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
According to him, despite the rise of digital and social media platforms, radio remains the most accessible medium for millions of Nigerians, making its role in governance, public enlightenment, and social cohesion indispensable.
Dr. Arowona noted that while Kwara State has witnessed an increase in the number of functional radio stations, the emergence of Emirate 98.5 FM marks a significant milestone in the broadcasting industry. He said the station is designed to go beyond entertainment by serving as a platform for investigative journalism, public sensitization, youth engagement, and community development.
“Emirate 98.5 FM is not just another radio station. It is a platform committed to unbiased news, the promotion of peace, rejection of hate speech, and the preservation of the Emirate’s values of love, hard work, and good character,” he said.
He explained that the station’s vision is anchored on advanced broadcasting practices with strong emphasis on local content, cultural promotion, and development-oriented programming, adding that it aims to become a leading broadcast medium in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
Dr. Arowona further stressed that the timing of the station’s commissioning was strategic, especially at a period when effective communication is needed to support public enlightenment and diplomacy efforts against insecurity.
The event also featured a public lecture titled “It’s a New Dawn in Kwara State,” delivered by Alhaji Saadu Salaudeen, fnipr, Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Kwara State Governor, which focused on the role of information and communication in building an informed and engaged society.
The ceremony was graced by Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, CON; the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Rulers’ Council, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR; the Honourable Commissioner for Communications, Mrs. Bolanle Olukoju; representatives of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); traditional rulers; leaders of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU); youth and religious leaders, as well as members of the press.
Dr. Arowona expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Government, the Ilorin Emirate, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders for their support, calling for sustained collaboration to ensure the success of the station.
He assured that with its modern studios, functional departments, and skilled workforce, Emirate 98.5 FM is well-positioned to compete favorably in Nigeria’s broadcast industry while serving the public interest.
Emirate 98.5 FM officially commenced operations following the commissioning ceremony.
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