Itumo, Ndubuisi
Mass media is an umbrella name for both the print and electronic means of transmitting information to a large audience. Its importance to any society can never be overemphasized as it facilitated the actualisation of Nigerian independence. With the help of Iwe Iroyin the first newspaper published during the era of nationalists movement by Rev. Townsend in 1859 in Abeokuta, Ogun state followed by the likes of Herbert Marculay’s, “The Comet” Nnamdi Azikiwe’s, “West African Pilot” which came with the motto, “Show the Light and the people will follow”. Some other newspapers followed suit like Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo’s, ” The Tribune “, Nigeria successfully attained its independence.
Radio broadcast came much later in Nigeria. Its history is traceable to 1932 when BBC(British Broadcasting Corporation) introduced radio distribution system in Nigeria(RBS).The first radio station in Nigeria was established in the Western part of the country, followed by that of southern region, got to the then Midwestern and finally to the northern region.
In 1992, NBC(National Broadcasting Commission was established in Nigeria and such gave rise to the formulation of policies for the establishment of private radio stations via an act promulgated by the commission. Same act saw to the establishment of private radio and TV stations, examples of which include Raypower, AIT, Channels TV etc.
Today we have hundreds of private radio and TV stations operating on Nigerian soil.
In Enugu state we have Dream FM owned by Prof. Ike Ekweremmadu, solid FM established by Late Prof. Dora Akunyili, Urban radio, Lion FM(a community radio) etc. Also in Benue state, there exist Joy FM, Oturkpo established by Sen. David A.B. Mark, Choice FM, Oju, Smile FM etc. And the growth of these private radio and TV stations has ensured the reduction of unemployment to its barest minimum besides the tripartite role of education, entertainment and information of the mass media.
Heartwarming it’s to note that community radio is considerably cheap to operate.
Also, radio and television broadcast have an advantage of immediacy as they engage in outside broadcast as needs arise.
Worthy of note is the fact that a Campus Radio(University Radio) known as EBSU radio 88.7 FM has been established in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
Though, it shouldn’t be considered a private radio as it is a mock radio setup that would serve the university community. Its signals I have only gotten once, I know not whether it’s still in operation.
It’s hightime politicians and financially well-to-do citizens of Ebonyi state diversified their investment potentials into this all-important avenue of job creation as the available electronic media outfits in the state can hardly absorb the army of prospective media practitioners which the state has in stock instead of littering the state with hotels and eateries.
