Kunle Adelabu
The death of a popular broadcaster, Chief Gbenga Dosunmi nicknamed by friends and admirers as “Eweso’, derived from his popular radio programme which is aimed at sustaining the Ijebu dialect.
Dosunmu died early Thursday.
He ran the radio programme and others, for over 30 years on the Radio Lagos/Eko FM and IKD 106.1FM.
Dosunmu who is a native of Imota in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, became a professional broadcaster in 1989, and started presenting a popular radio programme, ‘Omo Alare’ as a freelance broadcaster.
It was after ‘Omo Alare’ that he anchored, ‘Eweso’, another radio programme. He created his own radio programme, ‘Bibire Ko Se Fowora’ in 2005.
In 2021 at the inception of IKD 106.1FM, Dosunmu anchored two different programmes, ‘Biletiwa’ and ‘Eleboje’ till last year when his health challenges started.
All the programmes were presented in the Ijebu dialect and respondents were also encouraged to phone – in and contribute in the same manner.
The late broadcaster who was the President of the Movement for the Revival of Ijebu Dialect and Heritage (MRIDH) planned to establish an Audio – Visual Studio with the main purpose of documenting and preserving Ijebu dialect, a dream that he did not fully realize.
Dosumu through his various radio programmes and programme/event anchorage, put the Ijebu dialect in the consciousness of the people.
He was born March 6, 1965 and attended St. John’s Anglican Primary School, Imota and Imota Community Secondary School, Imota. He later proceeded to Oriwu College Ikorodu, where he completed his secondary education.
Eweso proceeded to YABATECH where he bagged OND Accountancy. He proceeded to the Lagos State University, LASUSTECH, Ojo, where he studied Public Affairs.
Eweso holds the traditional titles of ‘Fadegbuwa’ and ‘Iware’ of Imota.
In a condolence message by the Oriwu College Old Students’ Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN) signed by its National President, Alhaji MBS Arole and the National Publicity Secretary, Mr Lateef Sholanke, the OCOSAN expressed its sympathy with the class set of the late Eweso who is a member of the 1985/86 set of the premier college in Ikorodu Division and also to the Eweso family.
“Oriwu College Old Student’s Association of Nigeria (OCOSAN) home and abroad, sympathises with the entire 1985/86 Class Set, on the loss of their member, Chief Olugbenga Dosumu aka Eweso, who passed away earlier today.
“We are sending our deepest condolences to the Dosumu family and Ikorodu Division at large,” OCOSAN added.
The Imota Students’ Union also expressed the union’s condolences to the family of the late Chief Dosumu:
“The Executives-in-Council, and the entire members of Imota Students’ Union officially extend their condolence greetings to comrade Dosumu Eri-Ife and the family in general on the departure of her father – Chief Olugbenga Dosumu (Iware Eluku Imota, Fadegbuwa Imota) AKA Eweso today, 6th March, 2025
“We acknowledge that death is an inevitable part of life, yet it brings immense sorrow to those left behind. We sympathize and empathize with you and the extended family for the loss and we beseech you to take heart.
“We pray Almighty GOD, whom we come from and shall certainly return to, forgive all of his short comings and may God make His place a dwelling abode for him. May the Lord also comfort you and your family, providing the fortitude to bear this loss. Amen!”
Mr Babatunde Afuwape, chieftain of th Igbogbo Development Association)IDEA) described his death as sad and a great loss.
“So sad! This is a huge loss!!
“Eweso as he was fondly called was an amiable personality and a good man with high sense of humour.
“He was an embodiment of culture and tradition. His death is a huge loss to Ikorodu Division.
“I pray for the repose of his soul. May God comfort the family he left behind”.
