***As Nigerian Radio Awards debuts
On-Air- Personalities in Nigeria who have been acting as catalyst for socio-economic development deserved to be recognized and appreciated over their role in providing unsolicited support and focus to many Nigerians who listen to their programmes and get direction in life.
Co-founder Nigeria Radio Awards, Mr. Williams Archibong told journalists in Abuja at a Press conference aimed at bringing to the consciousness of Nigerian radio listeners, the need to make deliberate efforts to appreciate their favourite OAPs.
He spoke on Friday at the official unveiling of the Nigerian Radio Awards in Abuja.
Archibong indicated that their contribution to national development cannot be quantified as it cannot be dismissed because they render invaluable service to the socio-economic development.
According to him, their role in preparing the psychological balance for many radio listeners serves the Nigerian social sphere and wellbeing of the public and provide them direction on daily basis to face their day.
He said “These OAPs at all times of the day during their programmes are with you inside your sitting room, bedrooms and many other times while at work are providing entertainment and beyond that they share some life experiences that you relate with and gives you the kick to get going.
“Importantly, is their role to take you off depression and provide hope to many Nigerian listeners who may be depressed but need some words of encouragement and an OAP is on air talking on how to overcome life’s challenge. How can you quantify that kind of support? Archibong asked.
“Such counsel that encourages persons who have been beaten down and almost given up in life with no one available to listen to his or her challenges but has been met in an unsolicited radio counsellor whose advices re-energize one to face life again and become conquerors deserved to be recognized for their impactful role in the society.”
He said that radio presenters “work night and day, although it is their job but they have become part of our lives and they reach us in the most secret places touching on our lives and turning us around for the better, the least we can do for them is to tell them well done and gifting them a house, car or cash gift is not in any way comparable to their effort at making the Nigerian society better.
“I set up to reward the radio media of the talents and their efforts to entertain the public with their unique talents, we know that for the radio work day and night and we know that they do not get recognition and we are here to birth that recognition for them because they are silent catalyst for national development through their positive social influences that permeates the society.”
On the awards, he said the initiative was aimed to reward the radio media for their tireless efforts to entertain, educate, inform and inspire the people via their unique media.
“So this initiative is here to reward them for what they do. The reward is the plac, not just the Plac there are also cash prices, gift items that accrue to them excluding the Plac itself.
“The reason for the awards is because we believe that they are not well remunerated as they are supposed to. So, by doing this, it is going to help them work even better and of course it is going to help motivate a lot of potential on-air-personalities to want to do what they are doing
“I feel these personalities need to be rewarded more than they are currently getting.
On the selection process, he said, “So far there is a lot of registration across the country for the NRA and the selection process is basically by merit. “And of course these OAPs after the registration, there is going to be a voting process where their listeners would vote for their favourite OAPs and how we intend to reward them.
“Also the radio stations are also registering currently. After registration there is going to be 2 months period for voting which will give them the desired reward
When asked about similar existing bodies like BON and Nigeria Media Merit Awards and reason for replication, he said, “It is not a replication, Nigeria Radio Award is targeted only for the radio media
The nomination process according to him, will last for about a month adding that so far over a 100 registration have been secured.
“After this we will give another one month for more registration.”
On the Categories of award he said on their website which is the nigerianradioawards.com, “We have like, the best musical program, the best documentary program, we have best morning program, best night time programe, best news presenter for male and female, most played male song, most played female song, most played religious song.
Others are, the most educative Radio Station, most innovative and informative Radio Station among others.
“There are thirty categories in total RMA Radio management awards.”