Nigerian Female OAP, Ibukun Bankole Shares How Abike Dabiri “Unknowingly” Inspired Her Media Career

A certified Nigerian female broadcast journalist and voice over artist, Ibukunoluwa Josephine Bankole popularly known as Ibukun Bankole or ‘IBK’ has shared her experience in media industry and how the profession has been her source of joy.

While recounting her life experience on social media, the popular ‘On Air Personality’ (OAP) explained how the then NTA Newscaster, Abike Dabiri Erewa inspired her at tender age by watching Abike’s Newsline on National Television which encouraged her to studied Mass Communication at the University.

The Ogun born young female broadcaster with working experience in both Radio, TV and Print media has worked with many media organizations including Diamond FM, Ilorin and Lagos Television.

HER EXPERIENCE

Began broadcasting in October 2010 with her passion for healthy living on 103.1 Unilag FM’s Nature’s Cardinals and went on to work as a volunteer staff at 89.3 Unilorin FM producing and presenting programmes. She also worked as a News Anchor, Reporter and Programme Producer at Voice of Nigeria. She has also worked at Super Screen Television Lagos, Wazobia Tv, Raypower Ilorin among other broadcast stations.

She also worked as a web content writer at Naija News, one of the leading online news platforms, while also working as a freelance programme presenter at Radio Kwara.

In 2017, she took a detour from online news writing to Statutory compliance marketing at Strategic Outsourcing Limited (SOL), where she moved on to be a pioneer staff of the Communications unit as media strategist in SOL.
In 2019, she moved back to broadcast media as Head Communications and Productions, Onigege, a media company, where she oversaw all in-house /clients’ programme/advert contents produced by Onigege.
From there, she moved on to Diamond 88.7 FM Ilorin, where she was a Senior Programmes & Presentation Officer till February 2022 when she resigned after practicing expertise for 16 months.
With tears and good wishes some fans of her programmes expressed how her presence would be greatly missed.

She was nominated as On Air Personality at the 2021 Young Writers & Creatives Awards.

Voice Over: She has voiced several commercials aired in different parts of Nigeria.

Asides professionally using her voice as a broadcaster, Ibukun is a seasoned voice over artiste as well as an excellent compere.

Her love for singing prompted her to audition in 2012 at the first Ilorin project fame audition, where she was shortlisted as one of those to represent Ilorin in the contest.

She is also a thespian and a former member of Ajon Players Troupe where she performed at former governor of Ondo state Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. She has also acted on screen in the series The Cokers

Media has taken her across Nigeria interviewing different personalities like All Progressives Congress National Chairman candidate, Mallam Salihu Mustapha APC Chairman; Chief Press Secretary Osun State Governor Mr. Ismail Omipidan, Ms Motunde (Lolo1).

ADVOCACY

A member of Heroes Nation propagating the United Nation’s SDGs, with interest in child education.
Created Josephine Enrichment Centre’s to organize personal development initiatives particularly for teens and young adults to understand the importance of building oneself.
Currently Organising the ‘Better Me Project’ in Schools in Kwara and Lagos.
Speaking about her future plans, Ibukun says she is focused on exploring Independent broadcast opportunities as she also focuses on her independent content.

Recently, she wrote on her Facebook wall Ibukun Bankole ;”Hi, I am Ibukunoluwa Josephine Bankole but everyone calls me Ibukun Bankole. Living in Lagos has been filled with bitter-sweet moments but I love it.

“My life revolves around my voice as I majored in broadcasting while studying mass communication at the University of Ilorin (Better By Far or is it “by stress”)

“I am also a certified voice over artiste with experience in narration, commercials, IVR and ADR.

“I’ve always loved media production, voice overs since I watched Newsline on NTA with Abike Dabiri. I mimicked her and others for so many years including Vmobile, starcomms IVRs.

“I am actually grateful I get to practice in the industry I have always dreamed of.

“I am most excited about bringing life to peoples brands telling stories of their businesses with my voice.

“You won’t regret having me as the voice for your brand.

@nrindioma
@Shamelessmarketing_Academy.