Anike Agbaje-Williams, nee Kuforiji, an explorer and moderator, is rumoured to be “the main face” to appear on Western Nigeria TV Administration, Africa’s premier channel. Her beautiful and elegant face was the first image that appeared on WNTV, as she was dubbed the first female broadcaster of the first television station in Nigeria and Africa’s first female broadcaster.
The experienced journalist, who was named Africa’s Most Memorable Woman of the Tube and was born in Abeokuta on October 23, 1936, turns 87 years old today.
Conquering a meeting in the male-dominated profession, she charmed the board during her meeting stage and began working at the media firm in 1959. Agbaje-Williams, known for her rich voice and charming personality, boasted more than thirty years of involvement prior to her retirement.
Agbaje-Williams, Africa’s most memorable female broadcaster, became a producer and director of programmes at the television station before retiring in 1986.
The lady with many firsts was the third daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Kuforiji, 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 in 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.
After completing her secondary school education, she was employed with the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation at Ikoyi, Lagos in 1955. Abgaje-Williams’ career as a newsreader began as a result of a co-worker not showing up to work. On that day, a colleague who did make announcements or read small bits of information on the radio did not show up. The current host then asked her to take his place. Agbaje-Williams read the information, and when the supervisor heard her voice, he was impressed. She was then asked to join the programmes department as a staff announcer.
