Abstract
The research study was aimed at
radio broadcast programmes and rural development in Nigeria; A study of
residents of Awgu local government area. The study addressed four research
questions. The study adopted the survey research design method using the
questionnaire as the research instrument. The findings revealed among others
that there are factors that hinder development of rural areas and its dwellers
through the broadcast media (radio). The study recommended amongst others that
the government should put up more and effective developmental programmes on
radio ranging from educational programmes to enlightenment programmes and
instructional programmes to foster development in rural areas and its dwellers.
The study also suggested that further studies should be carried on radio
broadcast programmes and rural development to eradicate the possible challenges
emerging from rural development.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the
Study
From time immemorial, information has
always played a prominent role in human life but the emergence of social
progress and the vigorous development in science and technology has
immeasurably increased the role of information in every facet of human endeavor. Information means different things to
different people, some it may be in form of news on radio or television, and
the print media, to some it may be a medical report which may be used for
taking health decision, to an investor, financial report of an organization as
a vital information to decide whether to stake ones investment in such or to
divest, to some is the stock analysis and daily trading in the stock market
(David, 2012).
However, one of the recent means of
information dissemination and communication is the radio gadget. Radio came to
be as a result of the invention of technology, therefore the history of radio
in Nigeria started way back with British Broadcasting Corporation. Radio
broadcasting was introduced into Nigeria in 1933 by the then colonial
government; it relayed the overseas service of the British Broadcasting
Corporation through wired system with loudspeakers at the listening end
(Harrison, 2011).
It is asserted that information aids and
facilitates development at all levels. Information is now accepted as an
important factor in the sustained development of any society because it reduces
uncertainty, and enhances awareness of possible actions to take to solve
problems. Lack of information is argued to act as a barrier to economic development
because of importance of information provision in “capacity building” and
“empowering communities” (Apata and Ogunrewo, 2015)
One of the vital sections of an economy
that hungers for sustainable development is the rural areas. Hence, rural
development remains one of the priorities of every present administration. Rural development is used to describe a strategy that is
designed to improve the economic and social life of the people in the rural
areas. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) sees rural development
as a process of socio-economic change, involving the transformation of agrarian
society, in order to reach a common set of development goals, based on the
capacities and the needs of the people. Rural development is a strategy that is
designed to improve the economic and social conditions of a specific group of
people, that is, the rural people. It involves extending the benefits of
development to the poorest, among those who seek a livelihood in the rural
areas. Rural development generally, is used to denote the actions and
initiatives taken to improve the standard of living in non-urban neighborhoods,
countryside and remote villages (Johnson, 2013).
Through various
developmentally oriented programs disseminated by various radio stations, it is
expected that development will be triggered in rural areas. The three radio
stations considered in this study are Radio Nigeria, Dream FM and Urban Radio.
These radio stations broadcast various programmes ranging from entertainment
programmes, political programmes and economic development programmes. However,
the major programmes broadcasted by these radio stations that has the prospects
of enhancing rural development are Economic Table, Political Voices and Talk
Parlour hosted by Radio Nigeria Enugu, Dream FM Enugu and Urban Radio Enugu. In
line with this, this study aims at carrying out empirically radio broadcast
programmes and rural development in Nigeria (A study of residents of Awgu).
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The importance of Radio in promoting
development at both the rural and urban areas cannot be overemphasized. This is
because the advent of radio and their associated programs have tremendously
transformed the way information is disseminated, prior to its invention, people
most especially in primitive Africa society had their peculiar way of
disseminating information such as the use of town criers and assembling people
in strategic locations in the village such as market square to disseminate
information to them. However, the massive and rapid growth and expansion of
radio stations has raised concerns over whether they are contributing to the
development of their designated states or the interests of advertisers and
their profit minded owners (In the case of private stations).
There are schools of thought who argue
that radio is a conduit of Western cultural products like music and
advertisements, which are suppressing rural development-oriented local content.
On the other hand, there are those who believe that radio has taken the government
and its policies closer to the rural people than in the days back, and
therefore helped to raise the level of awareness among the rural people, on
government policies, national and international events, etc.
It is not however certain if the Radio stations
and their associated programmes in Enugu state promote the development of Awgu
local government. This becomes the rationale behind this study.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
In a general form, the study
seeks to find out if radio broadcast programs influence rural development in
Awgu local government area of Enugu state. Therefore the major focus of the
study will be to:
- Find out the extent to which residents of Awgu listen to radio
programmes on development.
- Find out how often the
residents of Awgu listen to radio programms.
- Ascertain whether the residents of Agwu have experienced
development through listening to the programs.
- Ascertain the challenges preventing the development of Awgu local
government through local broadcast developmental programmes.
1.4 Research Questions
In the course of this study, the
following research will pilot the study
- To what extent do residents of Awgu local government listen to
radio programmes?
- How often do the residents of Awgu local government listen to radio
programmes?
- What
is the influence of these radio development programmes on residents of Awgu
local government?
- What
are the existing challenges preventing the development of Awgu local
government?
1.5 The Scope of Study
This study will be limited to Awgu local government area of Enugu state and also to find out the radio broadcast programmes the residents of this community listen to. Reasons are the researcher has to be thorough with the investigation to produce realistic results on how radio broadcast programs influence rural development.The population will include all adults irrespective of gender, educational status and religion as well as income level in these communities.
1.6 Significance
of study
The study will be significant to the community socially, morally and economically, especially in terms of development in the communities. It will also help the broadcast media to shape their programming pattern and content in order to suit and appeal to the viewing and listening abilities of the audience making it possible for the government to always be aware of the pressing issues of the communities. It will be significant to the government in terms of provision of information and training especially in the areas that are imperative for development.
The
academic significance of this study is that it will
be of great significance to students and researchers who might embark on a
related study. It will serve as a point of reference and literature
enhancement.
1.7 Operational
definition of terms
RADIO- Radio is a medium that can be used to mobilize the rural dwellers
and even urban dwellers for development purposes if effectively used.
BROADCAST PROGRAMMES–
this is the practice of organizing and ordering of broadcast media programmes (internet,
television, radio, e.t.c) in a weekly, monthly, quarterly or season-long
schedule
RURAL DEVELOPMENT –Rural development is a strategy that is designed to improve the economic and social conditions of a specific group of people, that is, the rural people. It involves extending the benefits of development to the poorest, among those who seek a livelihood in the rural areas.
DEVELOPMENT: This is seen as the multidimensional and radical changes and improvements at the social, economic, psychological and related dimensions.
RADIO BROADCAST PROGRAMMES AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA; A STUDY OF RESIDENTS IN AGWU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ENUGU STATE
