CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1Background of the study

Rural development as a concept embraces a highly complex chain of process that involves

both physical expansion and structural changes. As a concept rural development goes

beyond the provision of portable water electricity healthcare centres recreational

activities etc. it goes higher to talk on the reorientation and development of social values

(Ajegi 2005 p.17). In the pursuit of rural development we aim at improving the productivity

of rural poverty as well as meeting the basic needs of the people (Ajegi 2005 p.36). Thus

concern for rural development is concern for the majority of the nation’s population. The

other reason is our share abhorrence of the features that go with under development

(Ajegi 2005 p.36). In recent times most discussions on rural development have focused on

the role of the local government in the development process. The belief is that given the

resources available to this third tier of government it is in a position to co-ordinate and

ensures meaningful development at the grass root level. While this is a popular belief the

situation on ground tends to be contrary the government and rural dwellers therefore

need a means to communicate with each other for further development and this where

programme ‘ Benue this week’’. Which is aired on Radio Benue comes in. the rural dwellers

in katsina-Ala local government area are mostly farmers fishermen traders students and

tailors so it is obvious that this local government has a long way to go because their income

is low therefore development is needed to improve their living conditions.

Brief History Of Radio Benue

Radio Benue was established in 1978 two years after Benue state was created the

government saw that radio Benue could be used for so many functions like promoting their

culture informing the people of new things both in and out of the country educating the

people especially for development. Radio Benue was established for the following reasons.

Firstly to be the mouth piece of the government. Secondly to interpret the government

laws and thirdly to improve the peoples believe in their culture. Development programmes

are aired for rural dwellers to be able to know what is happening and even interact. ‘Benue

this week’’ is one of those programmes ‘Benue this Week’’ is aired weekly with different

segments that includes phone in where the rural dwellers call to complain and advise the

government on what to do Another segment is called ‘what is the latest development’ this

is where the presenter ask the rural dwellers to phone in and say the latest development

they have seen. With this programme communication on development through radio Benue

is done effectively.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

This research is meant to study Katsina-Ala local government area which can likely be neglected

by the scheme of things especially in the development plan. The problem with African’s is the

ability to keep rural development policies. The basic concern of this research is to ascertain the

extent to which the activities of ‘Benue this week’’ a Radio Benue programme on the rural

development have affected the lives of rural dwellers in katsina- ala local government area. The

study is therefore is aimed at addressing the following questions:

What effects have radio Benue put in place to achieve the aim of improving the standard of living

of rural dwellers in katsina-Ala local government?

i. Are the rural dwellers of Katsina-Ala local government listening to ‘Benue this week’’ a

rural development programme?

ii. Are the rural dwellers participating in the rural development policies introduced to them?

iii. Is the government taking rural development serious?

These and other questions will be addressed later in the course of study.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

i. To find out whether rural dwellers of katsina-ala local government listen to ‘Benue the

Week’’.

ii. To find out what limitations Radio Benue face with regards to rural development in katsina-

Ala local government.

iii. To find out the impact of ‘Benue this week’’ a rural development radio programme has on

the rural dwellers of Katsina –Ala local government.

1.4 Research Questions

i. To what extent do the dwellers of Katsina-ala local government listen to ‘Benue this

Week’’?

ii. What limitation does Radio Benue face with regards to development in katsina-Ala local

government?

iii. What impact does “Benue this week’’ have on rural dwellers of Katsina-Ala local

government.

1.5 Scope of the Study

This research is limited to katsina-Ala local government area. The choice of the place has to do

with the fact that its population is predominantly rural based with farming as a major

occupation. Radio Benue operates in this area therefore a conclusion made from the findings

on the impact of ‘Benue this Week’’- A radio Benue programme on the rural development: a

study of katsina-ala local government area’’ would be applicable to the rural communities since

rural communities passes similar characteristics that are easily identifiable in all rural areas of

the country.

1.6 Significance of the Study

It is hoped that the findings of the study will

-Provide the rural dwellers of katsina-Ala local government area with rural development.

-Help Benue this week’’ a rural development programme to discover more ways of

communicating from the government to the people and the people to the government.

-Provide more funds for radio Benue.

-Helps draw more listeners to the programme Benue this week’’.

1.7 Definition of Terms.

Impact: The powerful effect that something has on somebody or something.

Rural: Connected with or like the country side.

Radio: The activity of broadcasting programmes for people to listen.

Broadcasting: The business of making and sending out radio and television programmes.

Resident: A person who lives in a particular place or who has their home there.

Community: All the people who live in a particular area country etc. when talked about as a

group.