The Role Of Radio In The Development Of Onitsha North Local Government

Furthermore, Okorie (2006:67) pointed out that the major aim of such communication is to make better the lives of people in a given society economically by encouraging them to understand the development agent, accept to participate by developing their capacity and skill that will enable them change from unprogressive and under developmental conditions of the past to a better condition.

However, Ekwelie (1992:2) explains that a remarkable feature of development communication is that, it is only concerned with peoples  welfare  as defined by them.  Thus radio, places the self determined needs of the masses  at the centre of development communication. In this study, rural development implies progressive economic change for the betterment of the conditions of the rural area and consequently of the society. Therefore, development is not necessary without communication in that, the whole mediated programmes of  the radio stations are packaged bearing in mind the development needs of the rural dwellers, ranging from information on agriculture, health education,  cultural awareness, environment alert etc. And as such, there would be no need for the media (radio) if there was even development. This goes to say that development and communication are complementary.

Moreover, Nigeria is a developing country which has 250 different ethnic groups with Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba as the three major tribes. All things being equal, radio in developing the rural area is expected to facilitate, even development in a given country by playing the following societal roles.

(1) Participatory information/communication of the masses towards economic advancement.

(2) Promotion of economic knowledge, understanding and wisdom in the society.

(3) Promotion of employment opportunities for the people.

(4) Accelerate the accomplishment of the economic development programmes or policies of the Nigerian government.

(5) Help in the national integration for national economic progress, which must be in line with the policies or constitution of the government.

(6) Help in marketing government development programmes or policies  to the masses in the society in order to encourage their adequate participation for collaborative societal development.

(7) Teaching and encouraging the use of modern strategies and technology in agriculture.

(8) Encouraging the establishment of small industries.

(9) Help in mass business/multi skill development.

(10) Encouragement of self development and self reliance of individuals than on the society and government.

(11) Social motivation/ mobilization of citizenry for proper participation in the nation’s economic development process.

(12) Promotion of right attitudinal and behavioural changes in citizens especially in the economic development process.

(13) Setting role models for the masses to emulate.

(14) Ensuring responsiveness, responsibility and accountability of the government to the electorates.

(15) Enhancing effective resource management, etc.