Community Leaders' Access to Channels of Communication: The Nigerian Experience


Keyword : Community Leaders, Communication Channels, Access, Leadership, Nigeria


Author(s) : Maria-Mandu David Ekpenyong, PhD

Abstract :   

This article examines community leaders' crucial roles in development in a developing nation; on assumption that their level of mobilization and participation in leadership programs in rural communities is dependent upon the extent to which they have access to communication channels (social, conventional, and traditional). Over the years, community leaders have aided the development of grassroots through, leadership, networking, shared vision, and decision-making. Despite the contributions of community leaders to rural development, it appears that they are only drafted into the development process in theory but there exists no practical liaison with them. Commencing with an examination of the parameters for assessing "access", the article argues that since the rural community is the larger part of the nation's population and is often known for neglect, community leaders remain alienated, marginalized, and denied the privilege of communicating through conventional mass media. The objective of this paper is to identify communication channels with the potential for generating leaders' participation. The researcher adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It is expected that "repackaging" of communication would ensure that leaders are no longer 'excommunicated'. The article concludes by advocating for more participatory people-based leaders and development-oriented communication channels as a way of integrating them into development efforts. The significance of the study is that community leaders will have access to important information through appropriate communication channels. It recommends making mass media more interactive and participatory with community leaders actively involved in the production of communication channels.

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