CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The 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 Nigerian’s 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

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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 Problem

The 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

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.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The 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 Questions

The 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.

H

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: ESBS Radio programmes are effective in the economic empowerment of Agbani

community.

1.6. Scope of the Study

This 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.

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1.7. Significance of the Study

It is hoped that the study will be very important in many repects. 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 Terms

The 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

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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.

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