Abstract
This research work focused on role of FRCN in propagating culture in Nigeria (A study
of Abatete Idemili South L.G.A in Anambra State). It aims at finding out whether FRCN
as a channel of mass media recognize it’s obligation to the society, especially in Abatete.
survey method was adopted and the instrument used for data collection was the
questionnaire and personal interview. The population of the study is 20,000 out of which
200 were sampled purposively. Data collected was analyzed in tables and simple
percentages. The researcher used chi-square (x2
) for the statistics measure of the study.
The researcher recommends that FRCN should be up and doing in the area of cultural
propagation because, it helps to give Nigeria a wider coverage, especially in the rural
areas. Therefore, government should establish media outfits, such as magazines,
newspapers, more radio stations in other rural areas of Nigeria. The result of this study
showed that FRCN through it’s various propaga
1.1 Background of the Study
The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) was originally founded in 1933 by the
British colonial government named the Radio Diffusion Service (RDS), it allows the
public to hear the British Broadcasting Corporations, foreign radio service broadcast
placed on strategic public location with loudspeakers.
In April 1950, the Radio Diffusion Services (RDS) became the Nigeria Broadcasting
Service and introduced radio station in Lagos, Kadunna, Enugu, Ibadon and Kano. This
service was recognized into the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) on April 1st
1957, by the act of parliament. Its mission was to provide as a public service,
independent, impartial broadcasting services. By 1962, the Nigeria Broadcasting
Corporation (NBC) had expanded its broadcast station into Sokoto, Maiduguri, llorin,
Zaria, Jos and Kastina in the north, Portharcourt, Calabar and Onitsha, in the east and
Abeokuta , Warri and Ijebu ode in the west. Each of these stations were considered a
subsidiary stations of a regional station.
Before this, the federal parliament approved the creation of the voice of Nigeria (VON)
external shortwave service in 1961. Its initials operations were limited to two hours a day
to west Africa, but by 1963 the voice of Nigeria (VON) had expanded both its coverage
and transmission times with the addition of five additional transmitters. In 1978, the
Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation and the Broadcasting corporation of Northern Nigeria
(BCNN) merged together to become the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)
medium wave transmitters previously owned by the Nigeria Broadcasting corporation
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(NBC) were transferred to the individual state government were the transmitters were
located. Today, Radio Nigeria has 25 stations located throughout the country and
together with the voice of Nigeria, consider itself to have the largest radio network in
Africa.
In Nigeria today, FRCN has really enhance culture in Nigeria especially in Anambra
state. Culture can be define as the total way of life of the people or the identify through
which a particular set of people can be identified. Every society, no matter how civilized
or uncivilized has its totality and way of life. This way of life is carried on from one
generation to the other, it is naturally impacted on to the young one’s through various
channels of communication of which one of the outstanding is the electronic media which
is the FRCN. FRCN plays the role of disseminating information or message to its
targeted audience. Through this media which is the FRCN, information is been passed to
the people.
Communication according to Nwuneli (1985: 187), Is the sharing of experience, which
may involve two or more people.
Nwosu (2007), see communication as the process whereby we attempt to transmit our
thoughts, ideas or emotion to other.
Goldevin (1991), Opted communication has the sharing of information on a established
dialogue between planners and project, participants beginning at the design stages and
extending through implementation and evaluation.
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Hedebro (1985), is of the view that communication is a situation where messages are
transmitted between institutions, people and media, irrespective of whether there is feed
back or not.
From the above definitions, it is clear that communication means to share information,
ideas, opinions, feelings and experience between people. For communication to get to its
targeted audience it must pass through a channel which FRCN is one of the channels.
The media is a compound of many things rolled into one, the media is divided into two
parts, the broadcast and the print media. The media helps in disseminating information,
cultural transmission and bring about news entertainment.
According to O’shaughnessy (1999:4), the mass media are technologically developed and
economically profitable forms of human communication, held in public or private
ownership which can transmit information, ideas, entertainment across time and space to
a diverse group of people.
Therefore, through the broadcast media which is the FRCN, crucial roles are played in
educating members of the society and enlightening the people on the need to uphold their
culture.
The federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) is believed to have the capacity which
can cut through the barrier of illiteracy and is the overall development of the society. This
perspective has been accepted by different authorities in mass communication, from the
long standing traditional change, this suggest that FRCN is relevant in power distribution
and watching over the extent at which the power is negatively or positively being
impacted on the people.
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FRCN, transmits ideas information, to the targeted audience, this shows that they are
responsible for most adjustments in the behavioural patterns of the people in the society.
As a channel of mass media, FRCN recognizes their obligation to the society especially
in the area of culture and promoting same value, Abatete is inclusive.
Imperatively research has it that the mode of dressing among the people of Abatete is of
responsible standard. This is due to the influence of FRCN as an agent of communication
and socialization in the community. The women of Abatete wear gorge wrappers or lace
with huge head gear and also decorate their necks with bids. While the men put on
expensive shirt called jogi on top of their wrappers along with ozo red cap and neck bids.
The youth also dress in their traditional attire to suit the culture.
The traditional and local music of the people are also evident to prove Abatete
community and culture. FRCN does their best in making sure the culture music of the
old does not go into extinction. Example of such music are, Egwe, Olisilu,Oku ,Egwe
Ijele, Agbogo Mmuo, Egwu Oyilu Oga, that go with this culture at this time.
Radio programmes are aired every now and then to promote language understanding
among the people. Such programmes include, news programmes, current Affairs, public
enlightenment, entertainment.
Despite these, there are still ways that FRCN lacks in propagating culture among the
people of Abatete, For example: The youths don’t really know their own dialect and is
not used to the kind of cloths that is supposed to be worn and also the kind of music
played and this has been problem seen with these youths. This culture is built,
maintained, uplifted and sustained through communication via the FRCN, because
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cultural power and promotion reside in communication. It is based on these established
facts that the role of FRCN in propagation culture in Nigeria came up.
1.2 Statement of the Problem.
Since every research study aims at solving a problem, therefore, the problem of this study
is to investigate how has FRCN propagate culture in Abatete Idemili South Local
Government in Anambra State, again to find out how the propagation of culture by
FRCN affect the Abatete people.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objectives for this research include the following
1 To know if FRCN do propagate culture in Abatete.
2 To know if the propagation of culture by FRCN affect the Abatete people.
3 To know the impact of FRCN in propagating culture in Abatete, Idemili South in
Anambra state.
1.4 Research Questions
In the course of this research work, the following questions were raised as it is
relevant to the study.
1 To what extent does FRCN propagate culture in Abatete ?
2 How does the propagation of FRCN affect the people of Abatete?
3 How does FRCN impact culture in their propagation on the people of Abatete?
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1.5 Research hypotheses
Two Hypotheses will be used to effectively reach meaningful conclusion in this
study and they are:
H1: FRCN propagate culture in Abatete.
H0: FRCN does not propagate culture in Abatete.
H2: FRCN propagation of culture affect the people of Abatete.
H0: FRCN propagation of culture does not affect the people of Abatete.
1.6 Scope/ Delimitation of the Study
This study is centered on the role of FRCN in propagating culture In Nigeria
especially in Abatete Idemili local government in Anambra state.
1.7 Significance of the Study
From this result of the study, which is to identify the role played by FRCN in
propagating culture in Nigeria especially in Abatete, Anambra state? This study also
intend to help in determining wheather the programmes of FRCN has any effect on the
Abatete people of Anambra state. It will be of immerse benefit to the Federal Ministry of
Culture and Tourism in the identification development and marketing of diverse cultural
potentials which will help in promoting culture. The journalist will also benefit from
promoting culture and it will also act as material for student.
This documentation will also help the people of Abatete in knowing what lapses that
should be covered in regard to their cultural heritage.
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Finally, this study will be useful to intending researchers as it will act as reference to
guide others.
1.8 Definitions of Term.
The researcher used operational definitions.
Role: The duty of FRCN in promoting and spreading the culture of Abatete.
Radio: The channel through which the culture of Abatete is communicated through
FRCN programmes.
Propagating: Spreading and promoting the culture of Abatete via FRCN.
Culture: Total way of life of the people of Abatete, which include their festivals such as
the Ofala festival.
Abatete: A community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state, and
also the area of study of the researcher.