Nigeria

An Assessment of the Broadcast Media Campaign against Drugs Abuse in Nigeria (Published)

The use of drugs to cure and heal the body system has been of irreplaceable value to humanity. In other words, it is practically impossible, if not impossible, to dispose of drugs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drug means any substance or product that is used or intended to be used to modify the physiological system or pathological state for the benefit of the recipient or user. Different scholarly studies have shown that drugs are useful to boost the immune and metabolic systems of a living being. However, the misuse and abuse of drugs have been problematic issues for the wellbeing of society. As a matter of fact, the abuse of drugs has been on the rise among youths in Nigeria. On a daily basis, many youths in Nigeria consume and abuse different drugs and substances such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, codeine, amphetamines, narcotics, and the like that produce high dependence. This undoubtedly exposed many Nigerian youths to different harmful health conditions, such as deterioration and weak physical appearance, and irresponsible attitudes like stealing and fighting, among others. Hence, the aim of this paper is to critically examine the use and impacts of drug abuse or addiction among youths in Nigeria and the effectiveness of broadcast media campaigns against drug abuse in Nigeria. The paper will employ different research methods, such as conceptual analysis, to delineate the meaning of major concepts like drugs, drug abuse, and media; the method of critical assessment will also be used to critically evaluate and assess the impacts of media in the campaign against drug abuse among youths in Nigeria. The paper concludes with an affirmation that the intake of illegal drugs among youths in Nigeria is alarming and, as such, dangerous and harmful to their health. Hence, the paper recommends that the government and Non-government organizations should engage more in media campaigns against drug abuse and also be firm and unbiased in enforcing the laws against lawbreakers, especially youths engaging in the consumption of illegal drugs.

Keywords: Drug Abuse, Drugs, Nigeria, WHO, Youths, broadcast media

Assessment of Print Media Contribution to the Political Development of Nigeria (Published)

The print media played an important role in Nigeria’s independence struggle in the 1950s. It remained a beacon of hope during the dark days of the military dictatorship. However, amid the turbulent waters of Nigerian politics, the fingers of accusation are being pointed at the media (print) for dividing the country along political lines. The press’s constitutional right to hold the country’s rulers accountable to the people would seem to be the most seriously affected. Thus, the argument that the print media is a destabilizing influence in Nigeria’s political evolution is examined in this article. The outcomes of this study are crucial to Nigeria’s democracy’s long-term sustainability. This inquiry uses a content analysis approach. Publications from Nigeria’s leading newspapers were examined to see if the assertion of the press being a source of political instability is valid, and whether the claim should be accepted or rejected. According to the survey, the media published numerous political reports, as evidenced by the experimental hypothesis, indicating that P> 0.05, which means that media coverage has nothing to do with political instability in the country, regardless of the size of the news. According to the study, regulatory agencies should address all concerns related to ethical and professional practices affecting the practice of journalism in the media in order to prevent the dissemination of published material in the media that may cause intolerance.

Keywords: Democracy, Nigeria, Political Instability, Political Stability, Print Media

A Survey on Mortality of Selected Newspapers During Covid-19 Era in Nigeria (Published)

This study was carried out to investigate the mortality of Newspapers during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. Findings revealed that COVID-19 lockdown measures, poor readership, low patronage, low advertising patronage, dwindling economic factor, limited circulation and high production cost were the major factors that threatened the survival of Newspaper in Nigeria. The study concluded that during pandemics like the COVID-19, Newspaper industry faces a number of challenges that threaten its survival but strategies that can prevent it from total collapse if properly adopted also exist. It recommended therefore that Newspaper operators and managers should recognize the fact that during pandemic outbreaks such as COVID-19, lockdown measures, poor readership, low patronage, low advertising patronage, dwindling economic factor, limited circulation and high production cost may pose challenges to the survival of Newspapers. Consequently, the recognition of this fact is a first step towards overcoming the challenges when need arises

Citation:  Tsebee  K.A., and  Bojuto  G. (2022) A Survey on Mortality of Selected Newspapers During Covid-19 Era in Nigeria, International Journal of International Relations, Media and Mass Communication Studies, Vol.8, No.3, pp.48-61

Keywords: COVID-19, Mortality, Newspapers, Nigeria, selected

The Growth of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Less Developed Countries: Issues and Problems (Published)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been a major topic around the globe since its inception. The realization that it has the capacity to change cultures, influence thoughts and usher in a world devoid of distance and barriers makes it more interesting. The concern today is that the West (developed countries) is conversant with the terrain while the South (developing countries) is on a sight-seeing mission. This paper discusses the importance of ICT and impediments of its growth in less developed countries. Data were obtained through review of relevant literature and global statistical records. The result of which shows that fewer people in less developed countries especially Africa have access to the internet and its usage is grossly low compared to the Western world.

Citation: Akagu, Joseph Ifeanyichukwu(2022) The Growth of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Less Developed Countries: Issues and Problems,     International Journal of International Relations, Media and Mass Communication Studies,  Vol.8, No.2, pp.62-67

 

Keywords: Africa, ICT, Internet, Nigeria, developed countries, global village, less developed countries

Utility value of radio for national security and sustainable development in Nigeria: appraisal of radio Nigeria “watch 360” programme (Published)

This paper examined the utility value of radio in addressing the twin issues of national security and sustainable development in Nigeria. The study focused on “Watch 360”, a Radio Nigeria neighbor-hood watch programme created by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) to promote national security and sustainable development. The objectives of the study were to identify the salient parts of the WATCH 360 radio programme that promote national security and sustainable development; as well as proffer solutions that will enhance the utility value of radio for national security and sustainable development. The researcher utilized the qualitative method of inquiry to appraise the potentials of the programme in fostering national security and sustainable development in the country. The Agenda setting theory provided the theoretical foundation for the study. The study found that the conceptualization, articulation, design and delivery of the programme imbues it with the knack for achieving the desired results. Therefore, it was strongly recommended that in order to achieve optimal benefits of the programme, the management of FRCN should, among others, ensure that its stations all over the country air the programme in their respective stations as well as introduce live streaming and vernacular editions in Nigeria’s three major languages (Housa, Ibo and Yoruba) for better reach and greater impact.

Citation: Odishika, Emmanuel Chukuka  (2021) Utility Value of Radio for National Security and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Appraisal of Radio Nigeria “Watch 360” Programme, International Journal of International Relations, Media and Mass Communication Studies, Vol.7, No.2, pp.46-54

Keywords: Nigeria, Sustainable Development, Value, radio Nigeria, radio national security, utility, watch 360” programme

Global News Agencies: Economic, Political and Socio-Cultural Implications of Their Negative Reportage of Developing Nations like Nigeria (Published)

Global news agencies have played vital roles in the growth and development of mass communication, they provided on -the spot reports of events from around the globe, in-depth investigations and analysis of events that have shaped the world. But the imbalance of their reportage has not gone down well with developing countries who have alleged that their part of the world is been under reported and unfairly treated in terms of content. According to studies, this negative reportage has led to some implications on the economic, political and socio-cultural aspects of their lives. These allegations were x-rayed to verify its authenticity. Having realized the implications and examined it, some recommendations were made and they include: The stereotypes on Nigeria, Africa and other developing countries caused by the negative reports by the global news agencies especially Western media must be deconstructed using scientific and educational tools. The media’s approach towards Africa must be revised and their informative strategies realigned to consider the trends, contexts and positive events occurring in the continent. Sensitization and educational programmes involving the Western public are required at various levels to promote the desire to have better in-depth and qualified information on the African reality. Gate keeping theory of mass communication served as the theoretical framework for this research while the internet served as source of data collection.

Keywords: Developing Nations, Economic, Nigeria, Political, global news agencies, negative reportage, socio-cultural implications

Economic gains of whistle-blowing policy in Nigeria: prospects and challenges (Published)

It is no doubt that corruption is a global plague ravaging world’s economy. Corruption is depleting the scarce economic resources of developed and developing nations though, at varying intensities.  Corruption has also been described as the black hole which must be thoroughly covered. In a bid to fighting corruption in the world, the whistle blowing mechanism was adopted by several countries including the USA, UK, South Africa and Nigeria. To complement the efforts of ICPC and EFCC, the whistle-blowing machinery was adopted in Nigeria by the Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo administration in 2016. This paper examined the economic gains, prospects and challenges of the whistle blowing policy in Nigeria. The Role and Framing Theories were adopted in the study to explain the question of morality and persuasiveness through specific communication strategies to the citizens. The methodology used in the study was qualitative deductions from secondary data. The study discovered that the policy has attracted 5,000 tips which led to recovery of several billions of naira. Also discovered, was that there was no law protecting whistle-blowers from victimizations and recriminations. The paper therefore recommends that, the long overdue whistle-blower protection bill of 2011 should be passed into law as an emergency law amongst others

Keywords: Challenges, Corruption, Nigeria, Prospects, Whistle-Blowing, economic gain

Use of Social Media in Mobilising Support for Abductees in Nigeria: A Study of Epe School Kidnap (Published)

This work examines social media usage to support abductees in Nigeria, beaming its searchlight on the case of the 6 Epe school boys, who were kidnapped at The Lagos State Model College on May 24, 2017. This study seeks to know various ways the social media contribute to the freedom of abductees in Nigeria and how potent the social media could be in mobilising support for them.  The survey method was adopted, and questionnaire was used to collect data. For this study, 528 questionnaires were given to respondents in the 66 streets on Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), in Epe Local Government of Lagos State. 521 of the questionnaire were returned. Eredo has a population of 18,590, and 3% of the population was used. Purposive sampling method was chosen for this study. This is adopted in order to select the members of the population that are fit to give the correct answers to the research questions. The findings of this study reveal that the contributions of Nigerians and social media outcry made the government and its agencies to take speedy action on the abduction of the Epe school boys. This study finds out that the social media has the power to reach a large number of Nigerians faster than other media of communication.       This study therefore recommends that the Civil Society organisations in Nigeria and Human Right Groups should explore the advantages of the social media to reach the people and the government alike. The study also recommends that Nigerians still need orientations on how to maximize the power of the social media.

Keywords: Mobilizing, Nigeria, Social media, Usage, abductees

Violent Conflicts and Challenges of Peace Building in Contemporary Nigeria (Published)

The period we are in Nigeria is a unique time in history as a nation. The country has in recent times, witnessed an unprecedented magnitude of violence that has shaken the unity of Nigeria. The study therefore examined the challenges   to peace building in Nigeria. . The study had adopted descriptive perspective in its analysis of the secondary data obtained for the study. The data obtained indicated that violent conflict from the ramous region and tribes of Nigeria is rooted in the conflict diversity of the citizens and bad governance structure. The study concluded that gives the present political and economic structure, the prospects of achieving peace are less probable, unless, the government of Nigeria would generate political will  to address huge human capital  development afflict, invest In infrastructure, and re-engineer political consensus on socio-economic and  political development in the country.

Keywords: Challenges, Nigeria, Peace – Building, Violent, conflicts.

Communications Feedback Mechanism: A Public Sphere Perspective of a State House of Assembly (Published)

Given its attendant implication to democracy, governments and their agencies are coming to terms with the need for increased citizen’s participation in governance. Yet this quest is impaired because government institutions and their publics under-utilize feedback mechanism. It is in the light of this notion that this study examined communications feedback mechanism and how its publics leverage on this feedback mechanism to foster public sphere discourse in a single state’s House of Assembly in Southern Nigeria. The study adopted the survey research method and its sample size was 400. Data were gathered using a questionnaire and analyzed with percentages and frequency distribution tables. Findings are among others revealed that respondents are not aware of any feedback mechanism and that constituents’ level of participation in public sphere discourses remains low. Against this backdrop, this study recommends that the House enact a legislation that will make it mandatory for the public to participate in all phases of law making, while submitting that public hearing be democratized to accommodate more constituents. Also recommended is that the House should synergize with Non-Governmental Organizations cultural/traditional and religious organizations to engage constituents in regular town hall meetings on issues that concern them. Conclusion and recommendations are reached.

Keywords: Communication Feedback Mechanism, Legislative Public Relations, Marketing Political Services, Nigeria, Public Sphere Discourse