educational value of KSMC Radio “Oga Landlord” Pidgin English program among tenant listeners of Kabala West, Kaduna.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

Language is a form of communication which allows humans

to share their thoughts, beliefs, ideas, experiences, etc. and is

presumably known to the sender and receiver of such com-

munication [1]. Language can determine and influence the

thoughts of man and is needed for man’s daily communica-

tion. It is used for domestic, religious, and commercial pur-

Language is a form of communication which allows humans

to share their thoughts, beliefs, ideas, experiences, etc. and is

presumably known to the sender and receiver of such com-

munication [1]. Language can determine and influence the

thoughts of man and is needed for man’s daily communica-

tion. It is used for domestic, religious, and commercial pur-

Spoken language has been the means of communicating with radio listeners since radio was invented. The type of language that radio stations used in broadcasting however differs based on the radio station’s focus and intention for doing their programmes in certain languages. Radio stations also consider their listeners educational levels, class statues, their tribes, their orientation in life and career or jobs.

One of the basic elements of communication is feedback and this enhances effective communication. As such, for any presenter be it on radio or television, to achieve their purpose, he or she must communicate in a language that is generally understood by their audience members.

Pidgin is a language on its own and not just a supplementary tongue as some people claim it to be, since it serves as an unlimited instrument of social communication especially in a multi-lingual community like Calabar, Warri, Edo and other Niger Delta Region state in Nigeria.

Pidgin English is later re-enforced by the nation's high illiteracy level that vary from one section of the country to another and even within each section of the society. Language experts say that Pidgin English had for a longtime been viewed as an effective medium of unhindered self-expression in the Inter-expression, inter-personal communication especially in a Multilanguage environment like Nigeria (JOWITH, 2000).

The term Pidgin English or Nigeria Pidgin otherwise known as “Brokin English” is a term used to denote an English based on corrupted grammar infused with local/tribal words or slangs and colloquial expressions.  Pidgin English used to be a marginal language among Nigerians to facilitate communication needs in certain interaction contexts. Pidgin English in Nigeria is used like in any other multi-lingual society where people find common broken/corrupted English is easier means of communication with everyone.

Nigerian Pidgin English accommodates fun and creativity; therefore, it has been able to fill significant actual space of communication in the broadcast industry in Nigeria. All these must have been considered by Ihemere (2006) stating that the Pidgin English flourishes better being an inter-ethnic medium of communication. It is identified as being important to be adopted at some state or private broadcasting stations to give daily news in it and generally believed to be a very useful broadcasting language in the country. At recent times, job opportunities arise for those that are well spoken and fluent in the Pidgin English language. For instance there are job opportunities within the movies industry, newspapers published in Nigerian Pidgin, magazines and radio programs that are presented on Nigerian Pidgin entertainment. In the radio industry, Pidgin English is now commonly used

·                     As tool to disseminate information generally to the target audience or consumers of certain programs in the community

·                      by people that are less educated in Nigeria to grow and be aware of the recent occurrences in the country.

·                      To serves as an entertainment medium

·                     To serves as information forum for some radio and television broadcast stations in Nigeria For instance, Orisun 89.5 F.M Ile-Ife use only Yoruba language, Orisun Television, Lagos use only Yoruba Language, NTA Yoruba presents all its programmes only in Yoruba Language, NTA Igbo use only Igbo Language, NTA Hausa equally rely on only Hausa language, Wasobia FM/TV use only Pidgin English, Cool F.M/TV.

 

There are other television stations and radio stations that disseminate information to their target audience only in Pidgin English language and other local languages. There are also many radio and television stations that use more than one language because some programmes can be presented in Yoruba, Pidgin, English, Hausa and others to satisfy their multi-lingual audiences in heterogeneous cities like Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt or Enugu and so on. Etc

 

Generally, the Nigerian Pidgin is proposed as being a replacement to standard English broadcasting in Nigeria such that the uneducated people are able to survive the society, knowing very well that the language appeals to wider audience from all parts of the societies in the country (Deuber, 2005).

However, Pidgin English is a language spoken by a majority of people, especially in the major Nigerian cities having mixed tribes but one major tribe is the lingua franca. Pidgin English otherwise known as broken English is now gaining popularity in Nigeria society particularly in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Aba, Onisha, Enugu, Owerri, Uyo, Edo and most of the cities in Nigeria. Although, Pidgin English is still considered a language of the uneducated, it has remained common among even university or polytechnic students and students of other institutions of higher learning. It should be noted however that where pidgin English speaking dominates, there will be decline in pure English language if Pidgin English continues to thrill in broadcast media.

In consonance with the above position, Temitope (2012) quoting Rickford (1998) stated that a pidgin language usually combines elements of the native language of its users and is typically simpler than those native languages in so far as it has fewer words, less morphology, and a more restricted range of phonological and syntactic options.

Rickford’s (1998) statement above  to some extent is contextually applicable to Nigerian pidgin English in the sense that its phonological, morphological and grammatical structures are basically restricted compared to any other standard language.

In addition to this, according to Rickford (1998) the social communicative functions of Nigeria Pidgin English are usually limited to verbal and informal settings. Though scholars like Rickford (1998) are of the view that “a pidgin is sharply restricted in social role, used for limited communication between speakers of two or more languages who have repeated or extended contacts with each other, for instance through trade, enslavement or migration,” such position on pidgin is not generally applicable to all pidgins.

 

The second view above applies to Pidgin English usage in Nigeria Radio and television stations. This popularity of the pidgin English in Nigeria underscores the need for this research in contexts of Oga landlord, a pidgin English radio  program.

The Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC) is a state-owned media organization in Nigeria, operating both a TV station and radio stations. The Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC) was established in 1991. It was originally known as the Kaduna State Broadcasting Corporation (KSBC). It focuses on news, entertainment, and educational programming. The corporation aims to be a world-class media organization with a mission to provide compelling broadcasting services in a fully digitized environment, driven by a skilled and motivated staff.

The KSMC Radio therefore started the Oga Landlord programme in 1995 with the main objectives on how to resolve problem between land lord and tenant, tenant to tenant and neighbours.

The major focus of the Oga Landlord is believe to be educating listeners across Kaduna and neighbouring communities  about the experiences of tenants living in the same compound as their landlord, exploring the dynamics of such living arrangements.

The programme is also on various aspects such as

1)                  Tenancy law, including rental agreements, eviction procedures, and dispute resolution mechanisms.  

2)                  Educates the public about their rights and responsibilities in landlord-tenant relationships

3)                  Provide a platform for addressing common issues. 

4)                  Educates the public on how to live in a peaceful habitable environment

The program since inception has helped in solving issues between landlord and tenants, it also looks at the behavior of tenant and landlord to ensure unity and coexistence among people together irrespective of their religion and social background. The program is aired on KSMC Radio Kaduna for one hour every Mondays , Wednesdays and Fridays by 4-5 p.m.

 

The radio station chosen for this research known as Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC Radio) is like all other radio stations. The KSMC Radio station Kaduna is similar with all other radio stations in all multi-lingual societies across the world where English, pidgin and local languages are the languages of radio broadcasting to the people in those societies.

It is for the above reasons that this research considers it important to hear from the radio station (interview with the presenter), the tenants and landlords themselves what educational values are there in continuously airing and listening to the programme “Oga landlord”.  Since spoken language on radio is the focus of this study, this study seeks to examine the educational value of KSMC Radio “Oga Landlord” Pidgin English program among tenant listeners of Kabala West, Kaduna.

 

1.2       Statement Of The Problem

The problem is that “Oga Landlord” radio programs in Pidgin English, while potentially effective in reaching a wider audience, may inadvertently cause misunderstandings or exacerbate existing tensions between landlords and tenants. This is because Pidgin, while a lingua franca, may not always accurately convey legal or contractual information related to tenancy agreements, potentially leading to disputes. 

While Pidgin is widely understood, it may not be precise enough to explain complex legal terms related to landlord-tenant law. This can lead to tenants misunderstanding their obligations or landlords misinterpreting their rights. In the absence of clear and accurate legal information, tenants and landlords may rely on Pidgin-based interpretations, which could be inaccurate or incomplete, leading to disputes over rent, repairs, eviction notices, and other tenancy issues.

The widespread use of Pidgin on radio, while helpful for communication, may also discourage the use of Standard English, which is often the language used in legal documents and formal communication related to tenancy agreements. Landlords or tenants who are less knowledgeable about the law may be more vulnerable to exploitation if they rely on Pidgin-based interpretations that are not legally sound. Hence, this study seeks to examine the educational value of KSMC Radio “Oga Landlord” Pidgin English program among tenant listeners of Kabala West, Kaduna.

This study therefore contributes to knowledge by interviewing tenants and landlord over rent price hikes and finding ways to close the existing gap in tenant/landlord relations in Kabala West Kaduna and in the whole Kaduna city. Already, tenants are complaining that house and shop rents are too high in Kaduna metropolis compared to other cities in northern Nigeria except Abuja.  The landlord are equally complaining that they need to raise the rents of their properties to meet with increasing costs of essential commodities as a result of naira devaluation and inflation.

There are also complains that the tenant law reforms are not working well. Many tenants also feel that the tenant/landlord programmes on radio and other media cannot solve the problems. This research therefore contributes to knowledge toward promoting more understanding of the ways to bring consensus.

 

1.3       Objectives of the study

1)                  Determine if “Oga Landlord” KSMC Radio Pidgin English program effectively teaches landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities, relevant laws, and best practices for managing the landlord-tenant relationship.

2)                  Assess whether “Oga Landlord” KSMC Radio Pidgin English program influences the attitudes of both landlords and tenants towards each other, potentially fostering more positive and respectful interactions.

3)                  Assess the reach of “Oga Landlord” KSMC Radio Pidgin English program within the target audience (landlords and tenants) and whether it is accessible to them.

4)                  Investigate educational value of “Oga Landlord” KSMC Radio Pidgin English within the target audience (landlords and tenants)  residents of Kabala West

 

1.4       Research Questions

1)                  Has “Oga Landlord” KSMC Radio Pidgin English program leads to changes in landlord-tenant interactions, such as improved communication, conflict resolution, or adherence to rental agreements?

2)                  Has “Oga Landlord” KSMC Radio Pidgin English program changed perceptions about the fairness of existing housing laws and regulations?

3)                  How effective is “Oga Landlord” KSMC Radio Pidgin English program in reaching the target audience of landlords and tenants in Kabala West?

4)                  What are the educational value of “Oga Landlord” KSMC Radio Pidgin English within the target audience (landlords and tenants)  residents of Kabala West

 

1.5       Significance of the study

This study is significant contribution to assessing whether a Pidgin radio program can effectively solve the problems tenants face over increase in rents.  It is also significant for the study to hear from the landlords to see if there is possibility of bringing the two parties together for discussion over reducing rents or stabilizing the rents, without yearly increments.

Significance of the study is also in the knowledge that Radio programs in Pidgin promote wider reach and inclusiveness to common people who did not go higher in western education for them to understand correct, standard English.

 

The research also contributes to knowledge through highlighting the usefulness of pidgin English through showing the need for it among the masses who do not understand the local language of the communities they are living in Kaduna state. The study’s focus on KSMC Radio Kaduna  and its pidgin English programme is also significant to facilitating better understanding and communication, as the program could potentially reduce conflicts and promote a more harmonious relationship between landlords and tenants, leading to a more stable and peaceful community. By empowering both landlords and tenants with knowledge and promoting better communication, the program could contribute to overall community development and social progress.

 

1.6       Scope of the study

The scope of a study on the educational value and impact of a Radio Pidgin program on landlords and tenants could encompass several key areas: assessing the program's effectiveness in disseminating information, examining its influence on the relationship between landlords and tenants, and exploring its role in promoting community development and social change. This could involve analyzing the program's content, reach, and audience engagement, as well as investigating how it affects knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to housing, tenancy, and community relations