PROGRAMME PROPOSAL

PRESENTED TO

THE FEDERAL RADIO CORPORATION

NIGERIA

FOR PROGRAMME BROADCAST

BY

MARTHA GOWON

15TH JULY, 2013

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INTRODUCTION

It is an established fact that every nation is made up of children, youths and the

aged. This is attested to by Nigeria’s Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who

says that the cycle of life comprises the newborn, the old, the dead, and the

newborn. So the cycle continues. Soyinka believes that if there is a disturbance

along the line, the cycle will be broken and there will be disorder in the flow of

life. In other words, for any nation to progress, all stages of existence must be

carried along on equal basis. And if emphasis must be placed on one or some of

them, then it should the one that connects all the phases of life which in this case,

is the youth. The question now is, “Why the youth?”

For a long time now, the intense need to involve the youth in programming on the

Network Service of Radio Nigeria has climbed to its peak. Countless efforts have

been made but all, so far, have proved abortive. The youths are the strength of the

nation, acting as role models for the upcoming generation and taking the place of

the outgoing generation. Being the centre that must hold so that things will not fall

apart, there is every justifiable need to broadcast a weekly edition of a programme

targeted at the youths of the nation.

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PROGRAMME TITLE

A close look at the introductory part of this proposal will reveal that the youth are

the spinal cord, the strength, hope and backbone of every nation, Nigeria inclusive.

It is in view of this undeniable truth that the title THE NATIONAL BACKBONE

is suggested. The management of FRCN may wish to modify the title as it deems

fit.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Research shows that many of the robbery incidents, activities associated with

commercial sex work, terrorism, examination malpractice and other vices are

perpetrated by youths. If this class of people can be reached and positively turned

around, then the nation is on its way to achieving its desired heights. Therefore,

considering the enormous power that youths wield in a nation and the undeniable

effect that their actions could have on the wellbeing of their societies and the

country at large, it is pertinent to clearly define the reasons behind proposing a

programme on them. This programme, if approved by the management of the

Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, is targeted at achieving the following:

Expose dangerous habits and how to get out of, or avoid, them;

Curb youthful delinquency;

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Manage peer group pressure;

Place youths and leaders on a friendly level;

Show the way to greatness;

Act as the loving national parent and advisor of our youths.

JUSTIFICATION

It is an indisputable fact that youths are the active force of any nation. A clearly

defined and well produced weekly programme on youth will in no small measure

achieve the following:

Define the importance of the youth force in all phases and stages of

development;

Highlight problems militating against the productivity of youths in Nigeria;

Suggest ways of tackling problems associated with youths;

Suggest possible avenues of exploring the usefulness of youths;

Instill confidence in our youths;

Act as the voice of youths in the country {even in the Diaspora}

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Create a link (synergy) between the future leaders (youths) and the present

ones;

OUR AUDIENCE

Our audience consists of Nigerians between the ages of twelve and forty and

covers diverse socio-economic class. They include students, corps members and

workers in government and private sectors. It is interesting to know that each

edition will be dedicated to a particular section of the youth world depending on

the class that is more susceptible to the problem highlighted or more concerned

with the issue under discussion. Even parents and guardians could be injected into

the sphere of audience if the programme is well handled.

METHODOLOGY

This sub-heading describes how the programme should be executed.

Format

The Magazine Programme Format will be more appropriate for a programme of

this nature. This will not only incorporate more than one segment to accommodate

more than is expected but will also create variety which is the spice of life and in

tune with the nature of youths.

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Time of Broadcast

Considering the disposition of youths to be relaxed and attentive in the evenings,

the programme will gain satisfactory listenership and participation if it hits the

airwaves at 8.00pm on Saturdays or Sundays. These are the days (and time) when

youths have wined and dined and are resting from the hurdles of the week,

preparing for a new week. From research, it has been noted that youths are closer

to their radio sets at this time listening to music and other “cool”, “gyrating” and

relaxing programmes.

Duration

Taking into cognizance the restlessness of youths, which of course, is their nature,

a thirty-minute programme will be most appropriate. In the course of time, a need

to increase the duration may arise. This, of course, will be at the mercy of the

audience. This is where, among other things, the need for feedback is

indispensable.

Jingles

There will also be jingles related to youth, encouraging them to contribute their

quota to the development of the nation.

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Feedback Mechanism

There is great need to hear from our audience if progress is to be made. Emails,

text messages, phone calls, street interactions and other feedback mechanisms shall

be highly explored.

RESOURCES REQUIRED

Two categories of resources are required in the production of this programme;

material and human resources.

1. Material Resources

Stationery

Compact discs

Recorder(s)

Sound effects

Transportation

2. Human Resources

Producer

Artistes/personnel to be paid

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Guests who are not likely to be paid (specifications should be made if the

need arises)

Presenter

Studio manager

BUDGET

This will be considered as the need arises.

PROSPECT FOR SPONSORSHIP

Being a youth programme that has the capabilities to cause a drastic turnaround

among the youths, the hope of the nation, there is every possibility that any hint

towards sponsorship will be accepted by bodies like the Ministry of Women and

Youth Development, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and well meaning

Nigerians.

CONCLUSION

The need to recognize and include youth and related issues is long overdue. This

proposal is therefore meant to nudge the Corporation towards proving to Nigerian

youths that the FRCN is for everybody and can be used by everybody to reach

everybody.

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