World Radio Day: Community Radio, & the tasks before NBC

Globally, today, February 13, 2024, is World Radio Day and stakeholders at the Department of Mass Communication, College of Humanities, Social & Management Sciences (COHSMAS), McPherson University, Ogun State, like other dons in ‘sister’ institutions reflected on the impact of Radio as a mean of information dissemination in Nigeria in the last 81 years! The in-house faculty members were very much concerned about the need for government to increase the rate at which broadcast licenses are granted to educational institutions.  

For instance, The Communicator is aware of the effort of the Departmental leadership and by extension, efforts of the University Management to facilitate the issuance of license of McU Radio for the purpose of Community broadcasting and training. The students of Mass Communication are seriously waiting to ‘speak’ loudly and professionally to the people in the community. 

This is because Radio is an essential medium of communication, and its attending power of simultaneity is indispensable. Since radio debuted in Nigeria in 1933, it's unique ability to reach a wide heterogenous audience with prompt information have revolutionize listeners’ minds, develop intellectual acumen of listeners and enhance former and informal education. 

Succinctly put, the Government no doubt is aware of the importance of radio broadcasting but why are the agencies of government afraid of issuing licences to universities?

Across the United State of America, there's at least 600 college radio stations on different Campus. Universities in the United Kingdom equally have significant Campus radio stations. 

As we celebrate the World Radio Day today, the government needs to urgently review the processes put in place by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in order to speed up all internal processes so as to facilitate the issuance of license for community radio operations. 

Campus Radio is important in universities offering Mass Communication. It is a sin quan non! In this information superhighway era, Campus Radio station is not just a mere addition. It is a must-have in the training of the next generation of Communicators. It would inspire students to learn more as they prepare for the world of work. 

The Communicator believes today is the perfect day for NBC to reflect and even grant the long deserving approval to McPherson University’s request.

Edited by:

Demilade Adeleye

Editor-in-Chief