INTRODUCTION

From the findings and analysis in the previous chapter, it is rational to confidently conclude that despite some weaknesses which call for adjustments, the radio stations are playing some significant roles in the promotion of development in the rural areas. From the data analysis, specific conclusions can be drawn that the radio stations have promoted development in the rural area of Onitsha north local government when 361(70.4%) indicated that communication through radio programmes has made positive impact towards the development of Onitsha north local government; as regards to research question three. By development we should not only think of agricultural, health or nutritional programmes. Even the fact that the radio stations have broadened the people’s horizon of access to information is in itself an aspect of development. The diversity of information channels in the different radio, brings with it different types of information sources to the rural people, almost free of charge.

Therefore, it is good for people to be exposed to different kinds of information. The closer radio and the opinion leaders are to the audience, the easier it is for the social and environmental needs of the masses to be considered during programme production and feedback – hence dialogical communication which is crucial for development. Some people go with their portable radio to the farm, offices, or even when riding bicycles from the villages to the town. This shows that the rural people, who cannot afford TV sets or newspapers, love to listen to their radio set. In this case, the more people have radio; the more the views and demands of the rural dwellers will be considered, as well as giving prominence to local content.

Background of the Study

Radio came to be as a result of the invention of technology, therefore the history of radio in Nigeria started way back with British Broadcasting Corporation. Radio broadcasting was introduced into Nigeria in 1933 by the then colonial government, it relayed the overseas service of the British Broadcasting Corporation through wired system with loudspeakers at the listening end. The service was called Radio Diffusion System (RDS). From the RDS emerged the Nigeria Broadcasting Service (NBS) in April 1951.Mr T.W Chamlers, a Briton and controller of the BBC Light Entertainment programme was the first Director –General of the NBS. The Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, NBC came into being in April 1957 through an act of parliament No.39 of 1956 and the Director General was Mr J.A.C Knott Obe. In 1978, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation was re-organized to become the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN (http://ww2.radionigeria.gov.ng. April 24,2012. page one).

To Uwakwe (2005:165) the third world countries today is being overwhelmed by the western communication structures. With satellites on the space, the CNN and BBC for instance, continue to invade the third world countries effortlessly. Therefore broadcasting both radio and television, started simultaneously in Eastern Nigeria, Enugu regional capital on the 1st of October,1960. During the civil war, the Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (ENBC) was known as Radio Biafra. After the war, it was named the East Central State Broadcasting Service (ECBS) stationed at Enugu. With the creation of old Anambra and Imo states in 1976, it changed to Anambra Broadcasting Service. With the creation of the new Anambra and Enugu States in 1991 and the subsequent disengagement of the staff on March 16,1992 ,the Anambra Broadcasting Service, Enugu gave birth to Anambra Broadcasting Service (R/TV) Awka and Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. After the state creation, the first movement was to Onitsha- the location of the AM Station. From Onitsha, the headquarters moved to Awka in January 1993 and ABS latter moved to its permanent site on the Enugu/Onitsha Express Way in Awka in January,2002.Today ABS Radio transmits on the frequency 88.5 FM with the four stations(2 television and 2 radio) both at Onitsha and Awka,(http://www.absr-tvawka.com April 24, 2012,page one).

The founding fathers of Onitsha migrated from Benin between 1630 and 1680 and settled immediately after the River Niger. Onitsha in effect started its growth as a waterside settlement often known as the “waterside town” (Udo 1981:8). In 1857, when the trade expedition led by McGregor Laird on the Niger arrived at Onitsha, it had a small market like other neighbouring Ibo markets, which was being held then every four days. In the company of the expedition, was Reverend Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a freed slave who led the Church Missionary Society (CMS) team. The CMS Group first arrived at Onitsha before the Roman Catholic Mission (RCM) which came later. These two Christian religious groups were responsible for the establishment of schoolsand colleges in Onitsha, dating from the 19th Century. Historically, Onitsha has exercised a great deal of political, economic, and social influence over the surrounding regions. The neighbouring towns of Obosi, Nkpor, Oba, Ogidi,Nkwelle – Ezunaka, and Umunya constitute parts of the region of the city’s influence.

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