The Role of Mass Media in Crisis Management in Nigeria (Published)
The role played by the media in the resolution of conflicts and crises cannot be overemphasized. The media has been a vital channel for resolving crises in society. The media has been construed as a two-edged sword that can either instigate a crisis or provide an avenue for resolving it. In other words, the influence of the mass media can be both positive and/or negative, depending on the mode and direction of use. Apparently, media influence has increased tremendously in the last decades, but there is no agreement among scholars and researchers on the degree and tenacity of its influence in managing and resolving conflicts and crises in society. The media, by right and duty, must provide citizens with accurate, comprehensive, unbiased, and high-quality information on the causes, effects, and possible resolutions to avert a further deepening of the crisis, which could lead to the destruction of lives, properties, and the economy. Put differently, the media are always known to set agendas for the public to follow; they do this by raising salient and critical issues as they unfold in society and bringing them to the public. The media set an agenda of peace, love, unity, etc. In recent times, Plateau State, especially Jos, has been characterized by one form of crisis or another, which in turn leads to the loss of lives and properties. This research work therefore attempts to examine the relevant role played by the media in resolving the lingering crises in Northern states, particularly Plateau State. In addition, the research examines the way and manner in which the media have been used to manage the crises in Nigeria. The aim of this study is to analyse the role of the media in crisis management in Nigeria. The specific objectives were to establish the media accessibility level and the various types of media coverage; to establish the extent to which media escalated and/or de-escalated violence; and to determine how media could influence selected human factors towards crises. The research utilized both primary and secondary source materials. Other reference materials, such as newspapers, the internet, and journals, were used to gather information about the activities carried out by the media in times of crisis. The research concludes that the media have a crucial role to play in de-escalating crises.
Keywords: Crisis, Crisis Management, Mass Media, Nigeria, Plateau State
Examining the Boko Haram Insurgency in Northern Nigeria and the Quest for A Permanent Resolution Of The Crisis (Published)
The state of insecurity engendered by Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria, especially in the North-Eastern part of the country is quiet worrisome, disheartening and alarming. Terrorist attacks of the Boko Haram sect have resulted in the killing of countless number of innocent people and wanton destruction of properties that worth billions of naira through bombings. More worrisome however, is the fact that all the efforts of the Nigerian government to curtail the activities of the sect have not yielded any meaningful positive result. Thus, the Boko Haram scourge remains intractable to the government who appears helpless in curtailing/curbing their activities. The dynamics and sophistication of the Boko Haram operations have raised fundamental questions about national security, governance issue and Nigeria’s corporate existence. The major thrust of this paper is to investigate the Boko Haram insurgency in Northern Nigeria and to underscore the urgent need for a permanent resolution of the crisis. The paper argues that most of the circumstances that led to this insurgency are not unconnected with frustration caused by high rate of poverty, unemployment, weak governance, religious fanaticism among others. It also addresses the effects of the insurgency which among others include serious threat to national interest, peace and security, internal population displacement, violation of fundamental human rights, debilitating effects on the entrenchment of democratic principles in Nigeria among others. The paper recommends among others, the necessity to address poverty reduction, religious secularism and political re-orientation. The need for adequate collaboration and partnership between the government, non governmental organizations, civil society organization as well as the individuals is also advocated. Finally, the need for the re-evaluation of the country’s domestic and foreign policies as a means of combating the menace of this domestic terrorism is also stressed.
Keywords: Boko Haram, Crisis, Domestic Terrorism, Insurgency, National Security, Permanent Resolution
MEDIA REPORTAGE OF THE EBOLA CRISIS: LESSONS FROM NIGERIA (Published)
This paper focuses on the media reportage of the Ebola Virus Disease which has ravaged parts of West Africa, particularly Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Although the disease found its way into Nigeria through the Late Patrick Sawyer, Nigerian authorities quickly arrested the situation, for which they are getting well deserved commendations across the globe. The presentation derives its theoretical relevance from the agenda setting perspective which says that even though the media may not succeed in telling people what to think, they are stunningly successful in telling people what to think about. Information and perspectives were obtained from secondary sources of books, newspapers, magazines, and the electronic media. Interestingly, the research found a high success rate of communication efforts as it concerns the Ebola scourge, across cultural and geographical boundaries. The paper recommends among others, the immortalization of Late Dr. Stella Adadevoh for her sacrifice while ensuring that the war against Ebola is sustained through a further enhancement of public enlightenment.
Keywords: Credibility, Crisis, Mass Media, Public Opinion.
POLITICAL LEADERSHIP CRISIS AND FAILED STATES: THE FUNCTION OF FAMILY IMAGINATION (Published)
The penury in the midst of plenty that pervade the walls of many African states is a perplexing paradox that begs for a critical evaluation. That most African failed states are richly endowed is a common cliché albeit a truthful one. But that penury is highest in Africa is indicative of the impact of corruption on the plenty present within the state- ‘with an average per capital income of roughly US one dollar a day, part of Africa remains the poorest in the world.’ Cursory survey reveals that the tempo of corruption in Africa is becoming a cultural phenomenon. In a country like Nigeria, it holds true that the spread of corruption extends to even the little infants in primary school. This paper postulates that even the most primary agent of socialization the family is not speared the marauding finger of corruption. Could Nigerian family system socialize the infant into a corrupt mentality? This paper therefore, interrogates the relationship between the family pattern of behavior especially with regard to sharing of resources and communication to pattern of leadership in some African countries (especially Nigeria) and how this debilitating framework has often been transposed as paradigms for the state leadership. More often than not, the breadwinner enjoys the best part of the share; could such pattern translate to a leadership pattern of demagogues? Operating through the prism of George Larkoff, Albert Bandura and Jean Piaget, the paper proposes that the family pattern of sharing and communication prepares the child for a pattern of leadership that is highly self-serving. Therefore, the fight against corruption in Africa must go back to addressing pattern of family sharing and communication
Keywords: Crisis, Family Imagination, Political Leadership
UNITED STATES SECURITY STRATEGY AND THE MANAGEMENT OF BOKO HARAM CRISIS IN NIGERIA (Published)
The Nigerian Government has enjoyed cordial relationship with the government of the United States over the years especially given the former’s quantum of oil deposit and the latter’s access to exploiting same. However, the emergence of Boko Haram insurgence has been a source of concern to both countries especially as it portends danger to their interests. Despite the efforts of both countries in finding a lasting solution to the problem, the desired result is yet to be attained. In view of this, the study examined the effectiveness of the US security strategies in assisting Nigeria overcome the crisis of Boko Haram. Intractable conflict theory was adopted in arguing that it would be difficult to resolve the crisis of Boko Haram but it can, at least, be managed if proper strategies are put in place. Finally, the work discovered that in line with American foreign policy of zero tolerance to international terrorism, its strategies in assisting Nigeria overcome Boko Haram crisis have not been very effective.
Keywords: Boko Haram, Crisis, Management, Security, Strategy, Terrorism