Monday, 6 June 2016

Impact of FRCN's Radio Link on Nation-Building


IMPACT OF THE FRCN ‘RADIO LINK’ ON NATION BUILDING
        
       Apparently, the three basic departments or sections in any broadcasting firm, either radio or television, remain News, Programmes and Engineering. The news section is usually concerned with current affairs which could be local, national or international.
        On its part, the programmes department is involved in transmission of various programmes which could be educative, informative and/or entertaining, as the case may be. Whilst, the engineering section, which may not be directly felt by the audience or the general public but remains the backbone of any media outfit, is the section that deals with the technical aspect of the transmission.
         Though the news section required the most critical attention owing to its sensitive and delicate nature but it is noteworthy that, the programmes department if taken for granted, stands the chance of ruining the healthy state of the broadcasting company. This is the reason the role of the latter, which acts as a recipe in any radio or television station, cannot be overemphasized.
         In line with the quest of its teeming listeners as well as the acknowledgement of the fact that a good programme has the tendency of attracting millions of audience, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) – the largest Radio Network in Africa instituted a programme tagged ‘Radio Link’ five years ago. Radio Link, a Radio Nigeria topical and audience participatory programme, which its debut was aired in January 2010, is an educative cum informative programme that is yet to have a rival in the entire Nigerian radio broadcasting industry.
         Radio Link, which is aired invariably between 8 to 10 a.m every Saturday, touches every area of human endeavour such as social, health, politics, economy, entertainment, arts and culture, infrastructure, governance, power supply, education, media, security, youth affairs, and what have you. The most fascinating aspect of the programme is that it has maintained a tradition of featuring esteemed personalities who have distinguished themselves in their respective field of endeavours as its guests.
        Due to its unique and overwhelming features, anyone who happens to be a regular listener or contributor to the programme would never afford to miss any of its editions irrespective of what the person in question is engaged with. This is why often times, Nigerians residing outside the country had endeavoured to contribute meaningfully to the programme.
         Several analysts as well as civil society activists are of the view that Radio Link has the tendency of restructuring and uplifting the socio-political and economic status of the Nigerian state, if sustained. Recently during a seminar organized by Docfred Continental Social Clinic – a Centre for counselling and career development based in Owerri, Imo State, one of the speakers in the event recognized Radio Link as ‘the Pathfinder of our time’; an accolade that was welcomed by all the informed minds present at the occasion.
         In view of the above remarks, it is needless to reiterate the fact that Radio Link has succeeded in awakening the socio-political consciousness of an average Nigerian, thereby increasing the rate of participation of most Nigerian citizens in electoral matters unlike before when on the average, a Nigerian youth pays less attention to issues affecting the Nigerian polity.
         Suffice it to say; the audience participatory programme – Radio Link, likewise other related ones aired on Radio Nigeria including Issues of the Moment, Police Diary, Bush House Nigeria, Politics Nationwide, among others, has contributed tremendously in nation building. Without mixing words, the remarkable impact of Radio Link on youth affairs and governance since its inception has helped to reshape the thinking faculty of most Nigerian politicians or prospective leaders as the case might be who were formally incautious in nature or in reasoning.
         Having noted the exemplary role of the renowned wave-making programme, there is a compelling need for any right thinking Nigerian who thinks good of this country to be concerned over its sustenance. Against this backdrop, I call on all the corporate organizations, both indigenous and foreign, operating in the country to in their individual capacities endeavour to sponsor the ongoing airing of the programme with a view that it has the potential of creating an enabling environment for their operations.
         In the same vein, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) ought to conscientize other broadcasting firms in Nigeria to ensure that they implement as well as maintain the airing of various edifying programmes like Radio Link at their respective stations.    
         No doubt, sustaining the topical and audience participatory programme – Radio Link, which has gained ground in the nation’s broadcasting industry, will not only assist in reawakening the Nigerian citizenry, but also help Radio Nigeria to actualize its reputable vision which remains ‘To be an impartial, credible, creative and digitized medium in the forefront of Nigeria’s national development, unity and progress’.
          Most importantly, it will help in proving to its fans across the African continent and beyond that its mission, which is ‘To create and maintain broadcast outfits that will serve as models in Nigeria and Africa at large in terms of standards, professionalism and character’, remains sacrosanct.
          Hence, the management and staff of the corporation (FRCN) should not in any way compromise the sustenance of this programme that speaks volumes globally, so that, the corporation will continue to uplift the people and unite the entire nation. Think about it!
 

COMR FRED DOC NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)
Public Affairs Analyst & Civil Rights Activist
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @mediambassador   
         

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