Influence of Broadcast Media in Sensitizing Residents of Ilorin Metropolis Towards Environmental Sanitation

ABSTRACT This study examined the influence of broadcast media in sensitizing residents of Ilorin metropolis towards environmental sanitation. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the degree of exposure to broadcast media sensitization messages on environmental sanitation among the residents of Ilorin metropolis, to know the influence of broadcast media sensitization messages on the attitude and behaviours of residents of Ilorin metropolis towards environmental sanitation, to determine the views of residents of Ilorin metropolis on the effectiveness of broadcast media in sensitizing residents of Ilorin metropolis towards environmental sanitation, to find out the level of adherence to environmental sanitation strategies advocacy on broadcast media, and to investigate the challenges hindering the effectiveness of broadcast media in sensitizing residents of Ilorin metropolis towards environmental sanitation. This study adopted Information Processing Theory and the Value Change Theory. Survey research method was adopted while questionnaire was used to collect data from the selected sample. This study found that the method of collecting refuse and handing it over to paid waste collectors as advocated by broadcast media programme is the most adopted among the respondents. In line with this finding, it concluded that broadcast media programme has been effective in mobilizing the residents of Ilorin metropolis for environmental sanitation programme. More so, most of the residents of the local government are favourably disposed to radio programme. The use of local languages in the dissemination of information on how to manage wastes properly is paramount in effective environmental so as to reach out to the citizens that do not understand English language. It therefore recommended that any environmental sanitation strategy being advocated should be clearly explained to avoid confusing the audience and radio programme on can be converted into a phone-in programme to give audience the opportunity of asking questions in areas that are not clear to them.