INFLUENCE OF ESBS RADIO ON THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF AGBANI COMMUNITY IN ENUGU STATE

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION1.1 Background of the StudyThe potency of radio has given credence to its use as a tool for grassroot development. Nwuneli (1986), explains that after a decade of research on the relationship between various media of mass communication and socio-economic variables, it is now a generally held belief among development communication scholars that broadcasting particularly radio- could be the most effective media for transferring information on various social change programmes from government and other institutions to the masses living in the developing nations of the world of which Nigeria is a part.Radio seems to have an edge over the other media of communication, Nwuneli (1986) vividly paints a picture with these comparisons; the print media has to contend with the problem of high illiteracy and as such is considered limited to educated people in urban areas as opposed to radio’s flexibility in language use and wide coverage.The cost of purchasing a television automatically excludes many Nigerians from the use of the medium as opposed to radio which is affordable, available and portable.Thus, exposure to radio is far greater and effective than any other mass medium due to the fact that radio lends itself to the predominant oral culture of the people. He further asserts that this is true especially if programmes are produced in the predominant local language of the target audience.
Moemeka (1998, P133) revealed that “the UNESCO declared in 1957 that there was convincing evidence from projects in many parts of the world , that the mass media can be effectively applied to the development of resources to meet basic economic, social, political, educational, and cultural needs of the nations. These efforts were of course centred on the use of radio.”Nsi (1993) reinforces the above when he articulates that there is something about radio that makes it appropriate for integrated rural development. He reviewed rural development in the light if self help efforts through radio programmes on; farming, education, flow of information, and health care, including the much needed family planning programmes and not as the need to focus only on the government efforts at providing rural areas with necessary infrastructure.Moemeka (1981, P42), adds that “ in the performance of its task, radio feeds the people with information about what is likely to be, thus making it possible for individuals and communities to re-adjust themselves in ways best suited to their situations.The role of radio and its programming in development has been evident over the years even at present.
Enugu state broadcasting service (ESBS) was established for effective information dissemination in all parts of the state. It was to bridge the information gap between the ruralites and urban areas and to stimulate interest between government and rural folks. This is the reason for dedicated rural economic programmes like ESBS/IMT UNIAIR etc. These programmes exist in electronic media but nothing has been done to ascertain the effect that would justify the relevance of these programmes. It is in the light of the above that this study is designed to measure the effectiveness of ESBS economic programmes among dwellers of Agbani community of Enugu state.1.2 Statement of the ProblemThe importance of radio cannot be over-emphasized; globally, nationally, and locally, as it performs many functions in the society. It is pertinent to see the extent to which ESBS radio have impacted on economic empowerment in Agbani community.1.3 Objectives of the StudyThe following objectives were relevant to this study;
I. The objectives of this study are to know the extent to which Agbani dwellers are exposed to ESBS radio.
II. To find out if Agbani dwellers accord credibility to economic empowerment messages from ESBS.
III. To know if the information received from ESBS radio have any impact on the economic empowerment of their community.1.4 Research QuestionsThe researcher used the following research questions for the study;
I. To what extent are Agbani dwellers exposed to ESBS economic empowerment programmes by Agbani dwellers?
II. What is the believability rate of ESBS economic empowerment programmes by Agbani dwellers?
III. To what extent can ESBS radio help to improve the economic empowerment of Agbani community?
1.5. Research Hypothesis
The researcher used alternative hypothesis for the study.
H1: ESBS Radio programmes are effective in the economic empowerment of Agbani community.1.6. Scope of the StudyThis study is restricted to Agbani community in Enugu state. It is further going to be narrowed down during data collection to specific areas within the community.1.7. Significance of the Study It is hoped that the study will be very important in many respects. This study is therefore aimed at highlighting the influence of radio on economic empowerment of Nigeria. it will provide a sufficient resource materials for further studies in the field related studies, thereby extending the frontiers of knowledge. To radio producers and presenters, the findings of the work will aid in the proper implementation of economic empowerment grass root programmes and campaigns. To the government, this study will serve as a platform for planning and making of relevant policies that border on the economy and informing the ruralities.
And finally, it will serve as evaluation reference materials for general study of communication development study and scholars.1.8. Definition of TermsThe terms were operationally defined.
i. ESBS: This means Enugu state broadcasting service. It is the radio that operates in the Agbani community. It is the radio that gives out economic empowerment messages to the people.
ii. Rural areas: Rural area is a place where rural people live. Agbani community is a rural area that was studied.
iii. Radio programmes: These are programmes designed by the ESBS radio and which is to be transferred among everybody in Agbani community.
iv. Economic empowerment: This involves stirring up in the people of Agbani the necessity to work and create wealth for them to sustain a good life.
v. Poverty: Poverty here refers to the standard of living of the people of Agbani community and other rural areas. It is a life of lack, insufficiency, rejection and need of Agbani.ReferencesAdeseye, F., & Ibagere, E. (1999). Communication and Man: A Theoretical Base for the Student. Akure: Ola-Olu Enterprises.Ahmed, S. (1993).”Using the Radio for Development” in Akeredolu – Ale E.O. (ed), Mass Media and Rural Development in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books.Ajegi, S. O. (2002). “The Affluence of Poverty: A Critical Evaluation of Nigeria’s Poverty Reduction Programmes” in Ajegi, S.O. (ed), Journal of Economic and Social Research vol. 1 No.1, Benue: The Return Press.Akpan, E. S., & Ogiji, P. (2004). “Rural pricing Patterns and Incidence of Poverty” in Ogiji, P.(ed), Journal of Economic and Social Research Vol.1.no .3. Benue: Aboki Publishers.Alumunku, P. T. (2005). “Community Radio: Emerging Democratic Communication in Africa.” NBC News, 1.2.Anibueze, N. (2005). “Towards a Career in Rural Community Development”, in Nsude, I.E., Aliede, J. E(ed), Mass Communication: One Course Many Professions. Enugu: Prime Target.Ayobade, O. (2003). “Government Must Listen to the Poor” This Day.Ayu, D. I. (1997). “The Crisis of Cultural Relevance : The Case of Capitalist Press and the Nigerian Society”, in Nasidi, Y. and Igoli I., (ed), Cultural and Democracy. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press. Ltd.Bush, R. A., & Folger, J.P. (1994). The Promise of Mediation: Responding to Conflict Through Empowerment and Recognition. San Francisco: Jossey – Bass Publishers.Ezeokoli, V. C (1993).” Using the Television for Rural Development” in Akeredolu – Ale,E.O. (ed), Mass Communication and Rural Development in Nigeria. Spectrum Books.Folarin, B. (1998). The Theory of Mass Communication: An Introductory Text. Ibadan: Stirling Horden Publishers (Nig.) Ltd.Griggery, S. (1998). Rural Community Resources Center. London: Macmillan Education Limited.Karl, M. (1995). Women and Empowerment Participation and Decision Making. London: Zed Books Limited.MacQuail, D., & Windahl, S. (1986). Communication Model for the Study of Mass Communication. Singapore. Longman Singapore Publishers Plc.Mbah, F. U. (2005). The Social Sciences and Social Economic Transformation in Africa. Nsukka: Great AP Express Publishers Limited.Moemeka, A. A. (1981). Local Radio Community Education for Development. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press Ltd.Moemeka, A. A. (1997). “Broadcast Deregulation and Society: the Challenges of Masses, Participation and Utilization for Ordinary Citizens” in NBC, Deregulation of Broadcast in Africa. Lagos: National Broadcast Commission.Moemeka, A. A. (1998). “Development, Social Change and Development Communication” in Moemeka, A.A (ed). Development communication in Action. New Jersey: McGraw Hill Inc.Moemeka, A. A. (1998). “Development and Mass Media: Effective Use of Mass Media in
Rural or Inner-city Development.” In Moemeka, A. A (ed), Development Communication in Action. New Jersey: Mc-Graw Hill Inc.National Planning Commission (2004). National Economic Empowerment Development
Strategy (needs) Document. Abuja: International Printing Technique Limited.Nwosu, I. E. (1997). “The Rural Press as a Tool for Rural Development Mobilization: in Ebo, S. J. (ed), Broadcasting Mobilization for Rural Development. Ebonyi: Scan Press.Nwuneli, O. E. (1986). “Development News and Broadcasting in Nigeria: A Book of Reading. Enugu: Fourth Dimension Publishers.Nsi, K. (1993). “Using the Radio for Rural Development” in Akeredolu – Ale, E.O (ed), Mass Media and Rural Development in Nigeria. Oyo : Spectrum Books.Omotayo, A. (2002). “Perspectives on Rural Development in Nigeria” in Oso, l. (ed), Communication for Development: a Reader Abeokuta: Jedidiah Publishers Nig. Ltd.Onu,F. (1998). Journal of Contemporary Issues on Poverty. Nasarawa: Nas Publishers Limited.Rodney, W. (1976). How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. Dar-es-Salaam: Tanzania. Publishing house.Sachs, J. (2005). The End of Poverty: How we can make it happen in one lifetime. New York: the penguin press.Sani, H. (2001). Women and National Development, The Way Forward. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Limited.Udoakah, N. (1998). Development Communication. Ibadan: Stirling- Horden Publishers (Nig.) Ltd.Ume, I. (1975). The Design of Rural Development. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press.Young, K. (1993). The Women Empowerment Framework, Women and Girls Advance. Vol. 1 August.Bolorunduro, O. (2002). Nigerian Women and Their Contribution to National Development. Ibadan: Moonlight Publishers.