Showbiz & Entertainment
Meet The Exciting OAPs On Classic FM-97.3
Classic FM, Lagos, is in the business of broadcasting nostalgia. For millions of Lagos residents, the station is the go-to frequency for music that reminds them of the good ‘ol days.
The station – which broadcasts at 97.3MHz frequency band – plays a wide mix of classic music from way back in the past.
The usual playlist consists of the most notable classic pieces: reggae, hiphop, soul/R & B, Gospel, Jazz, and a few lesser-known genres.
The main demographic of listeners are aged between 30-65, however, listening to this station can also provide young artistes with new forms of inspiration.
The idea of a radio station that plays purely throw back music was mooted by Chris Ubosi. He is the managing director and CEO of Megaletrics Limited, the company that also owns Beats FM, Naija FM, and Lagos Talks FM.
Classic 97.3FM, which prides itself as the “Station that Plays all the Songs You Know”, broadcasts from Ikoyi, Lagos.
Chris Ubosi, the managing director and CEO of Megaletrics Limited, the operator of Classic 97.3FM
Beyond the music, the station is also characterized by some exciting OAPs that equally make the station rock. Indeed, a radio station is as good as its presenters.
These presenters keep their listeners glued to the station through music shows, talkshows, news reports, traffic updates, and a good measure of some feel-good music.
Without further ado, lets dive in, and showcase some of the OAPs that make Classic 97.3FM rock. So enjoy.
Chico
Chukwuma Aligwekwe, better known as “Chico,” is an instantly recognizable voice on Classic 97.3FM.
Chico – one of the pioneer staff at the station – has captured the hearts (and ears) of many listeners in Lagos and beyond. He co-anchors the very popular TDS – The Drive Time Show – that airs from 4:00pm to 9:00pm, from Monday to Friday.
The delightful Chico is witty and smart and is equally knowledgeable about music across different genres and about lifestyle factors as well. He is also very intentional about his elocution, and brings a certain gravitas to his work.
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As an OAP at Classic FM, he is unique in the fact that it seems he could make a career in every area of entertainment. His acting stint on the long-running soap opera Tinsel is a testament to this.
In 2011, the graduate of Film and Media at the University Of North London was appointed Programme Director at Classic FM – a position he holds till date.
Temisan
Temisan Okomi a.k.a Leroy is a veteran broadcaster with focus on sports broadcasting.
He started his broadcasting career in 2001 and joined Classic FM in 2014. He is currently the Sports Editor and a Sportscaster there.
The clever and humorous Delta-State indigene has a degree in Agronomy and Crop science – one that he earned at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
Apart from being a sports pundit, his knowledge of hip-hop and the ’80s music is pretty much beyond reproach, which on a station like Classic FM is worth its weight in gold.
On the other hand, he could be quite bullheaded when it comes to certain topics, and trying to debate him, especially on Twitter, is a fool’s errand.
Bukky
One of the station’s most soothing voices is Bukola Sawyerr-Izeogu. The computer science graduate of the University of Lagos infuses her presentations with a good measure of maturity, calmness and sagacity.
Bukky began her media career at Classic FM in 2009. That year, she pioneered the show “The Classic Lounge”.
She is currently one of the anchors of the morning programme “Classic Morning Show”, which runs from 6:00am to 11:00am.
Bukky is a nostalgia merchant, which once again on a station like Classic FM is a godsend. She is pretty much lived the era she talks about and isn’t hessitant to remind you.
Also, she speaks well and calmly and is a deep fountain of knowledge concerning music. She interact well with the other OAPS and the banter betwen them is an absolute treat.
Bukky is the founder of the public relations and media firm – BukiHQ. Her Media/PR practice has seen her work with personalities such as Asa, Tuface, Adekunle Gold, Wale, Skales, and Zoro and Burna Boy.
Lawrence
Lawrence Nwali co-anchors The Classic Lounge -“TCL” – that airs from 11.00 am to 4.00pm, from Monday to Friday.
The avid biker, who is also referred to as El Boogie, has a signature hearty laugh and relaxing voice.
Lawrence comes as advertised on the tin. He does not stop at just playing music, he provides background stories about each song with information that he has sourced on, most likely, Wikipedia.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka graduate of Mass Communication/Media Studies cut his broadcasting teeth at Lion FM 91.1- a campus radio station. He also later worked at Blaze 91.5 FM.
He is the founder of Lip Service Communications LTD, a hub that provides targeted clients with hosts for live event/mass media, public relations and promotional services.
Lawrence is also an Event Compere/MC, voice-over artist, and actor. As an actor, he was a cast in the 2021 movie, The Oratory.
Ebony
Ebony Nzimiro is one of the newest members of the Classic FM crew. The lady with the infectious cackling joined the station in April 2023.
The enthusiastic presenter is the co-anchor on The Drive Time Show – or “TDS” – a show that she hosts alongside Chico. The show airs every Monday to Friday, from 4:00pm – 9:00pm.
Ebony also hosts the Sunday morning show “Sunday Sunrise With Ebony”. The programme airs from 6:00am -12:00am every Sunday.
The University of Lagos-trained Economist and an alumnus of Birkbeck University of London is also a Marketing Consultant and Business Development Strategist with over 15 years experience..
In her leisure time, Ebony likes to read and write, and she socialises often. She also enjoys travelling and visiting new places.
Afrologic
The seasoned Gboyega ‘Afrologic’ Oyedele is one of Nigeria’s most well-rounded figures in the music and media industries.
He is the host of The Sunday Cruise with Afrologic, a programme that airs every Sunday from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. On the show, he takes listeners on a jouney into the Beats of Afro and the Soul of global grooves.
Prior to joining Classic FM, he had presented and produced various shows on UNILAG FM, Metro FM, EKO FM, former OGBC 2 FM.
Afrologic, who is also a DJ and producer, began his career as a banker after earning a degree in Economics with Social Psychology at Loughborough University, U.K in the 1980s.
The Lagos-born Afrologic fronts the music band, AFROLOGIC, for which he has produced 3 LP’s. He also coordinates Afrologic Recordings, a digital record label.
Benji
Benjamin Okoh, also known as Benji, has worked his way up the radio industry’s ranks over the years to establish himself as a broadcast guru. He is the presenter of Saturday Night Live from 7:00pm to 11:00pm every Saturday.
Benji’s vast music repertoire is premised on his background as a DJ for many years. His DJing skills were enjoyed by A-Class clubs of the ’80s and 90s: Lords Club, Deroof, Pyramid, K’s Place, Club Tower, Mega Plaza, A-Bar etc, and the corporate world – Citibank, Zain, CPMS etc.
The multiple award-winning broadcast journalist first got introduced to Radio in 2004 and joined Classic 97.3FM in April 2010.
Benji holds a BSc and Masters degrees in Mass Communication with a bias for Public Relations and Advertising from both Lagos State University, Ojo and the University of Lagos, Akoka.
Benji is the Managing Partner at Ace23 Media Ltd. He is a Ghostwriter and editor, and also anchors “Book On Review” and “Brands And U” on Classic FM 97.3.
Caesar
Ceaser Ume-Ezeoke or simply Ceaser, is another recent addition to the Classic FM family. He joined the station in the second quarter of 2023.
The Man-of-Steel, as he likes to describe himself, comes with a good dose of youthful zest.
The University of Lagos trained-lawyer had prior working stints at HipTV and Cool FM.
He and Bukky co-anchor the morning program Classic Morning Show, which airs from 6:00am to 11:00 am, Monday through Friday.
Ceaser is also the anchor of The Saturday Xpress Show that runs from 6:00am to 12:00 noon every Saturday. During the run, he presents the hugely popular segment ‘Rap & Hip-hop Classic’, where he mostly displays his vast knowledge of famous “beefs” in Hip-hop history.
The vibrant and ever-laughing Ceaser took after his mom who is a former OAP/DJ. As an actor, he has featured in Nollywood productions such as Lekki Wives, Isoken and Four Crooks and a Rookie.
Judith
There is a certain calm and relaxing feel that Judith Atibi’s presentation brings to Classic FM’s listeners.
The broadcast journalist, who joined the radio station in June 2023, co-anchors the Classic Lounge, every week day.
She is also the host of Judith On Saturday (JOS) a programme that airs every Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
The presenter is not a newbie on radio airwaves. Before joining Classic 97.3FM, she was a presenter at Radio Now 95.3FM and
Aside being a radio personality, Judith Atibi is an event compere and moderator.
She is an alumnus of the University of Calabar, where she earned a degree in English Education.
Lolo
Lolo Eremie joined Classic FM 97.3 in January 2023, since then she has captured audiences with her radio charisma, personality and originality. Her style of presentation is distinctively quirky and full of humour.
The mushy Lolo doesn’t just play music, she plays carefully selected songs that will hit you hard. The quality of her rap/hiphop playlist often makes one wonder why she isn’t the desginated host of the Rap & Hiphop Classic on the station.
Lolo is also the “Night Nurse”, a sobriquiet she uses when presenting the night show, Mellow Magic. While the show airs, she holds her listeners spell-bound with her exquisite selection of ballads from the past. The experience is always magical.
On Sundays, she can also be heard hosting the Sunday Brunch from 12:00noon to 2:00pm.
In addition to being a radio host, she is involved in advertising, PR work and film-making. As a film-maker, she made her directorial debut in the 2022 film, TARELLA – an African interpretation of the classic Cinderella story.
The former Airtel/Celtel/ Zain employee is an alumnus of the University of Port Harcourt where she obtained a degree in Foreign Languages and Literature.