Anike Agbaje-Williams (née Kuforiji; 23 October 1936 – 26 February 2025) was a Nigerian newsreader who was the first female television staff announcer and broadcaster in Nigeria.[1][2]

Life and career

Anike Kuforiji was born in Abeokuta on 23 October 1936. Her father was of Egba heritage. She spent her primary school and junior secondary school years in Lagos under the care of her guardian, Mrs Gbemisola Rosiji, wife of Ayo Rosiji, and Bishop and Mrs S. C. Philips. She attended CMS Girls School, Lagos. In 1950, when CMS Girls School was relocated to Ibadan and renamed St Anne's School, she moved with the school and finished her education in Ibadan.[3]

After completing secondary school education, she was hired by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation at Ikoyi, Lagos, in 1955. One day, a colleague who usually did announcements or read small bits of information on the radio did not show up, and the current host then asked her to take his place. When the supervisor heard Agbaje-Williams's voice, he was impressed, and then asked her to join the programmes department as a staff announcer.[4]

When a television station was established at Ibadan, she was asked to interview and was subsequently given a job at the station.[citation needed] Agbaje-Williams was a pioneer staff of WNTV, which was the first television station in Nigeria. She was the first person to appear on television broadcast in the country, and was the first female broadcaster of the station. She rose to become a producer and director of programmes at the television station before retiring in 1986.[1][5]

Agbaje-Williams died in Ibadan on 26 February 2025, at the age of 88.[6][5]

Awards and recognition

  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Nigerian Broadcasters Awards (2011)[7]
  • Rockcity Golden Voice Award (2014)[8]
  • 2017 Heroes Award, Ibadan Mesiogo Golf Open Awards[9]

References

  1. ^ a b Ajia, Jide (28 February 2025). "Tinubu mourns veteran broadcaster, Anike Agbaje-Williams". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  2. ^ N. Nik Onyechi (1989). "Nigeria's book of firsts: a handbook on pioneer Nigerian citizens, institutions, and events". Nigeriana Publications (University of Virginia). p. 124. ISBN 9789782839992.
  3. ^ "Anike Agbaje-Williams: Africa's First Female Broadcaster – DAWN Commission". Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Femi Sowoolu, Madam ANIKE AGBAJE WILLIAMS, OLUSESAN EKISOLA, Jones Usen and others rock the ROCKCITY GOLDEN VOICES AWARDS (RGVA)".
  5. ^ a b Ibeh, Ebube (28 February 2025). "Africa's first TV presenter Anike Agbaje-Williams dies at 88". Peoples Gazette Nigeria. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  6. ^ "Anike Agbaje-Williams who made history as first face on television in Nigeria dies". PM News. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  7. ^ Popoola, Kazeem (13 December 2011). "Here are the winners of Nigerian Broadcasters Awards 2011". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  8. ^ Kayode-Adedeji, Dimeji (18 October 2014). "Eight Nigerian veteran broadcasters honoured". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  9. ^ Adesina, Gbenro (10 October 2017). "Awolowo, Ajimobi, Oyinlola, Agbaje-Williams honoured at IMEGA awards". Retrieved 28 February 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anike_Agbaje-Williams
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