IMPERATIVES OF RADIO STATION AS A VEHICLE FOR MOBILIZATION TOWARDS RE-INDUSTRIALIZING FUNTUA

 

By

Ahmed Abdulkadir

National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)

ahmadakadir@yahoo.com

The medium of radio as a means of communication is essential in mobilizing audience. The vibrancy and efficiency of radio in sensitizing, informing, educating and entertaining people has already been established by various studies and researchers (Kuewumi, 2009; McQuail, 2010). Radio has been described as the cheapest, safest and the most effective medium of communication. In view of this, Onabajo (1999), says, radio is cheap; it does not cost much compared to television which is expensive.

In addition to this, radio has an important feature of portability, whereby, one can wander with it in a pocket easily from one place to another. Its credibility is always upheld in particularly northern part of Nigeria as it transmits messages that its listeners hold important and sometimes sacrosanct. Its instantaneous nature of information dissemination is an added advantage over other medium of communication like television. Baran and Davies (2009) say radio is a mobilizer and formidable factor in re-awakening people’s consciousness.

However, radio gives people the opportunity to express their views as guaranteed by section 39(1) of 1999 Constitution which provides that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference”.

This particular section was limited by Section 45 (1)(a&b) which says ‘Nothing in sections 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of this Constitution shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society;(a) in the interest of defense, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or (b) for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.

It is actually section 45 (1) (a&b) that empowers a regulatory body to carefully regulate broadcasting in Nigeria. Against this background, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was established in 1992 to set standard for broadcasting and to regulate the broadcast industry (Saidu, 2005).  Broadcast regulation in Nigeria, similar to other countries, covers three major areas: spectrum management, licensing and public order. The last area is essentially to do with content (Thierer, 2007).

Nigeria’s broadcast industry which the NBC regulates has over 600 radio and television stations. These comprise 43 Private Television Stations, 97 Private Radio Stations, 133 Federal Government owned Television Stations (some referred to as community stations spread across senatorial districts of Nigeria), 53 Federal Government owned Radio Stations, 68 State Government owned Television Stations, 112 State Government owned Radio Stations and 27 Campus Radio. This figure excludes other licensees such as 26 Direct to Home (DTH) licenses, 51 MMDS, 12 DBS, 2 DDT, 4 IPTV and some recently approved 17 Community radio licenses, making the total licensees 645 throughout Nigeria (NBC, 2014).

There are several functions of NBC as enunciated in the Nigeria Broadcasting Code:

1.        Advising Federal Government on the implementation of mass Communication policy.

2.        Receiving, processing and considering applications, for establishment, ownership, or operation of Radio and Television stations, like Cable Television Services, Direct Satellite Broadcast, radio and television stations owned by Federal, State and local Government as well as stations run under private ownership.

3.        Regulating and controlling the broadcast industry.

4.        Monitoring broadcasting for harmful emission, interference, and illegal broadcasting.

5.        Approving the transmitter power, location of stations, area of coverage as well as regulate types of broadcast equipment to be used.

6.        Intervening and arbitrating in conflicts in the broadcast industry.

7.        Regulating ethical standard and technical excellence in public, private and commercial broadcast station in Nigeria.

8.        Ensuring qualitative manpower development in the broadcasting industry, by accrediting curricula and programmes for all tertiary institutions that offer Mass Communication in relation to broadcasting.

9.        Undertaking research and development in the broadcast industry.

10.    Upholding the principles of equity and fairness in broadcasting.

Based on the above functions, a provision was made for NBC to license broadcast stations. Acquiring broadcast license has some rigorous proceedures as stipulated by the National Broadcasting Commission Act No. 38 of 1992 (as amended). Thus:

1.  A prospective applicant must have a limited liability company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. Its article or memorandum of association must include Broadcasting.

Note: Section 10 of the NBC Act disqualifies religious organizations and political parties from the grant of a broadcast license.

2.   The applying company will write to the Commission seeking approval to purchase a set of application forms, indicating the kind of service and location(s) intended.

3.     Upon receiving approval, the Company may then purchase a set of application forms including a copy of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and other publications that would provide an insight into broadcasting in Nigeria, at the cost of fifty thousand naira only (N50, 000.00) from any of the Commission's offices across the country.

4.    The set of forms purchased should then be completed and returned to the office of the Director General with the following:

A. Certificate of Incorporation

B. Certified copy of the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.

C. An Engineering design of systems including feasibility study

D. A letter of undertaking in accordance with section 9 (I) (d) of the NBC Act No. 38 of 1992 (as amended).

E. A letter of reference from the Company’s Bankers.

5.     The application is processed by the Commission, recommended through the Honorable Minister of Information, to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for further consideration.

6.    Upon approval, the successful applicant is expected to pay the prescribed license fee and sign a license agreement before being assigned an appropriate frequency.

7.     Currently, a license life span is five (5) years renewable. A license however lapses and stands revoked if not utilized within two (2) years of issuance.

With a licensed radio station, information on which brand of seed is suitable for farmers can be easily relayed. Funtua Textiles and various Ginneries can influence the opinion of farmers to embark on massive cotton production. The various companies that are situated within the Funtua axis can through corporate social responsibility sensitize people on what they are required to do in order to enjoy the companies’ social responsibility. Government is brought closer to the people through radio as real issues or concerns are communicated to the authority for redress.

In addition to the above and of equal importance is the chance to utilize the medium of radio for political awareness and enlightenment as well as mobilization especially as people in this area are well known for their great interest in politics.

CONCLUSION

It is time that one of the sons of the soil, rise and seek for a radio license for easy mobilization. Funtua local government and its neighboring LGAs have about one million people and majority of them are ardent listeners of radio. Feasibility study can help quantify the level of revenue that can be accrued from advertisements and sponsorships.

Most of the people of this area heavily rely on broadcast stations in Kaduna, while, we have all it takes to establish one in Funtua. There are several competent broadcasters from this axis, especially Funtua town, who work with local and International broadcast stations. 

REFERENCES

Baran, S. J & Davis, D. K. (2009). Mass Communication Theory: Foundation, Ferment and          Future. Boston, USA: Wadsworth.

Kuewumi, J.B. (2009). Radio: How it Impacts the Listener Personally. Babcock University Mass             Communication Journal, 2(1), 138-149.

McQuail, D. (2010). Mass Communication Theory. London: Sage Publications.

Minjibir, A. S. (2010). Radio and the Promotion of Agricultural Development in Northern            Nigeria: A Study of the Contribution of FRCN Kaduna. Bayero Journal of    Communication Studies, 1(1), 102-114.

Onabajo, S. (1999). Essentials of Broadcast Writing and Production. Lagos: Gabi Concept Ltd.

Saidu, R. (2005). Legal Status of the NBC. In Broadcast Monitoring: A Book of Basic Readings             for Internal Training in the Commission.

Thierer, A. D. (2007). Why Regulate Broadcasting? Toward A Consistent First Amendment         Standard for the Information Age. Journal of Communications Law and Policy         (Commlaw Conspectus), 15(2), 431-482.

NBC Handbook, 2014.

NBC News Vol. 7 No. 8, July-September, 2013.

Nigeria Broadcasting Code, (Fifth edition), 2012.

1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ahmed Abdulkadir is a Broadcast Regulator, working as the Zonal Director, National Broadcasting Commission, Maiduguri Zone, Nigeria.

He earned a Master's in Development Studies, from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria; a Bachelor's in Education (Language Arts), from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria and a Nigeria Certificate in Education from the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

In between, he also earned a Diploma in Journalism from the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, Nigeria; a Certificate in Radio Journalism and Management, from The Thomson Foundation; and a Certificate in Communication Research from NTA (TV) College, Jos, Nigeria.

He was at one time the General Manager, Katsina State Television (KTTV); Head, Public Affairs, National Broadcasting Commission, Abuja; Zonal Director, National Broadcasting Commission, Kaduna Zone, Zonal Director, NBC Sokoto Zone.