Examining perceptions of Kwande residents on traditional songs aired on Ashiwaves radio station for curbing the COVID-19 pandemic in Benue State

Terwanger Daniel  Aliough; Iliya Jeremiah  Ovey; Eric Msughter  Aondover

doi:10.59400/ephr.v1i1.1448

Terwanger Daniel Aliough Mass Communication Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi 950001, Nigeria
Iliya Jeremiah Ovey Mass Communication Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffi 950001, Nigeria
Eric Msughter Aondover Department of Mass Communication, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos 100001, Nigeria

Ariticle ID: 1448

32 Views, 10 PDF Downloads

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/ephr.v1i1.1448

Keywords: traditional songs; COVID-19; information; education; Kwande

Abstract

Traditional songs are useful in mobilising natives for genuine causes that promote the wellbeing of society, especially when the issue is life-threatening. This research was carried out to ascertain how traditional songs were used on Ashiwaves FM to curb the COVID-19 pandemic among Kwande residents in Benue State. The research adopted a survey method that relied on a questionnaire that was administered to 400 respondents using the Taro Yamane statistical formula. The theories used to anchor the research were Uses and Gratification and Agenda Setting, which explained how Kwande residents satisfied their need for deriving information and education on how to avoid contracting COVID-19 and how Ashiwaves Radio station repeatedly played traditional songs specifically meant for sensitising the public on the coronavirus prompting people to think about it. Findings of the study revealed that Ashiwaves Radio station played traditional songs on their station (100%), which was useful in sensitizing Kwande residents to curb the spread of the pandemic. It was also discovered from the findings that the song by Rapizo (98%) was the most instrumental in educating Kwande residents to stay at home and avoid crowded areas (40%), wash their hands (24%), and maintain social distance (14%). The research concluded that traditional songs are essential to every ethnic group in carrying out sensitisation on health issues. Therefore, it is recommended that other ethnic groups in Nigeria also encourage their indigenous artists to compose songs that can be used for educating their locals in the wake of future health challenges to avert casualties.

References

[1] Asemah ES, Kente JS, Nkwam-Uwaoma AO. Handbook on African Communication Systems. Matkol Press; 2021.

[2] Santas T, Inobemhe K, Udeh NTS. Knowledge, perception & response to new media messages on COVID-19 among residents of a rural community in Nigeria. Health & New Media Research. 2022; 6(1): 103–138. doi: 10.22720/hnmr.2022.6.1.103

[3] Aondover PO, Aondover EM, Babele AM. Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review. 2022; 1(1): 1–8.

[4] Adam S, Akote YA. Journalists and challenges of covering COVID-19 Pandemic; An appraisal of Prestige FM radio, Minna. Nasarawa Journal of Multimedia and Communication Studies (Special issue on media and communication in the Era of COVID-19). 2020; 3(1): 161–172.

[5] David AM, Oyindamola T, Morenike MH. Face-to-face versus virtual communication; the Role of digital technology in Coronavirus Pandemic era. Nasarawa Journal of Multimedia and Communication Studies (Special issue on media and communication in the Era of COVID-19). 2020; 3(1): 57–65.

[6] Sule RN. Effect of Covid-19 on print media industry in Nigeria. Nasarawa Journal of Multimedia and Communication Studies (Special issue on media and communication in the era of COVID-19). 2020; 3(1): 81–93.

[7] Ogbonna S. Conspiracy theory and misinformation in the age of COVID-19 pandemic: An assessment of online newspapers: Nasarawa Journal of Multimedia and Communication Studies (Special issue on media and communication in the era of COVID-19). 2020; 3(1): 94–107.

[8] Sobowale R. Benue State records first case of Coronavirus. Available online: http://www.vanguard.ngr.com/2020/03/benue-state-record-first-case-of-coronavirus/amp/(accessed on 28 March 2020).

[9] Obada AA, Msughter AE, Namadi HM, Nongubee T. Hyper prevalence of malnutrition in Nigerian context. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research. 2021; 39(1): 30916–30925.

[10] Ahmed MO, Msughter AE. Assessment of the spread of fake news of Covid-19 amongst social media users in Kano State, Nigeria. Computers in Human Behavior Reports. 2022; 6: 100189. doi: 10.1016/j.chbr.2022.100189

[11] Msughter AE, Phillips D. Media framing of COVID-19 pandemic: A study of daily trust and vanguard newspapers in Nigeria. International Journal of Health, Safety and Environment (IJHSE). 2020; 6(5): 588–596.

[12] Msughter AE, Iman ML. Internet meme as a campaign tool to the fight against Covid-19 in Nigeria. Global Journal of Human-Social Science. 2020; 20(A6): 27–38.

[13] Msughter AE, AduaAdua SM, Aondover PO. Information Seeking Behavior on Covid-19 Vaccine among Residents of Fagge Local Government Area of Kano, Nigeria. Journal of Positive School Psychology. 2022; 6(9): 2526–2541. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1898209/v1

[14] Ebeze UC. Traditional communication systems. In: Okunna CS (editor). Teaching Mass Communication: A multi- dimensional approach. New Generation Books; 2002. pp. 27–38.

[15] Kurfi MY, Msughter ME, Mohamed I. Digital Images on Social Media and Proliferation of Fake News on Covid-19 in Kano, Nigeria. Galactica Media: Journal of Media Studies. 2021; 3(1): 103–124. doi: 10.46539/gmd.v3i1.111

[16] Usman B, Eric Msughter A, Olaitan Ridwanullah A. Social media literacy: fake news consumption and perception of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Cogent Arts & Humanities. 2022; 9(1). doi: 10.1080/23311983.2022.2138011

[17] Pate UA, Yar’Adua SM, Msughter AE. Public awareness, knowledge and perception of Covid-19 in tarauni LGA and kano metropolitan area of Kano State, Nigeria. Media & Communication Currents. 2020; 4(2): 52–69.

[18] Aondover EM. Analysis of Iconographic Effect of Visual Communication Genre on Covid-19 in Nigeria. Journal of Gynecology and Women’s Health. 2022; 24(3). doi: 10.19080/jgwh.2022.24.556136

[19] Hile MM, Msughter AE, Babale AM. A Public Health Communication: Towards Effective Use of Social Marketing for Public Health Campaigns in Nigeria. Ann Community Med Prim Health Care. 2022; 5(1): 1002.

[20] Msughter AE, Yar’Adua SM, Maradun LU. Influence of Cultural Practices on Maternal Morbidity and Complications in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. International Journal of Health, Safety and Environment. 2020; 6(9): 670–681.

[21] Mbazie SCJ, Njanubok SO. Awareness and response of Rivers State residents to COVID-19 enlightenment. Nasarawa Journal of Multimedia and Communication Studies (Special issue on media and communication in the Era of COVID-19). 2020; 3(1): 189–201.

[22] Nwaolikpe ON. Communicating Covid-19 Campaign Messages among market women in rural communities in Ogun State Nigeria. Nasarawa Journal of Multimedia and Communication Studies (Special issue on media and communication in the Era of COVID-19). 2020; 3(1): 33–44.

[23] Musa AS, Azmi MNL, Ismail NS. Exploring the Uses and Gratifications Theory in the Use of Social Media among the Students of Mass Communication in Nigeria. Malaysian Journal of Distance Education. 2016; 17(2): 83–95. doi: 10.21315/mjde2015.17.2.6

[24] Asemah ES. Selected Mass Media Themes. Jos University Press; 2011.

[25] Jere MG, DavisSV. An application of uses and gratifications theory to compare consumer motivations for magazine and Internet usage among South African women’s magazine readers. Southern African Business Review. 2011; 15(1): 1–27.

[26] Anaeto SG, Onabajo OS, Osifeso JB. Models and Theories of Communication. African Renaissance Books Incorporated; 2008.

[27] Ijeoma OA. The socio-cultural implications of African music. Creative Artist: A Journal of Theatre and Media Studies. 2009; 3(1): 171–185.

[28] Obasi MC, Msughter AE. Assessment of media coverage of environmental hazards in mining communities in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Environmental Challenges. 2023; 13: 100758.

[29] Naser MA. Relevance and Challenges of the Agenda-Setting Theory in the Changed Media Landscape. American Communication Association Journal. 2020; 1: 1–15.

[30] Maikaba B, Msughter AE. Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System. Humanities and Social Sciences. 2019; 12(1): 214–220.

[31] Folarin B. Theories of Mass Communication. An Introductory Text. In: Horden S (editor). Stirling Horden; 2002.

[32] Matsaganis MD, Payne JG. Agenda Setting in a Culture of Fear the Lasting Effects of September 11 on American Politics and Journalism. Mbazie American Behavioral Scientist. 2005; 49(3): 379–392. doi: 10.1177/0002764205282049

[33] Kente JS. Evaluation of selected Nigerian newspapers reportage of COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on newspaper readership. Nasarawa Journal of Multimedia and Communication Studies (Special issue on media and communication in the Era of COVID-19). 2020; 3(1): 1–19.