The Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Rural Development of Nigeria

Information and Communication Technology  (ICT), the world over, has gained prominence,  especially in the area of communication, to the extent that the level of understanding of several tenets in every sphere of life has also been better understood, arising from the gains of communication empowered by technology.  It is common knowledge to aver that communication that is imbued with digital ingredients know no boundaries.  It means, therefore, that information and communication technology cut across all shades of people, irrespective of culture, location among others, provided that the accessibility is ultimately guaranteed.  Thus, in Africa, rural dwellers are kept abreast with happenings globally with the instrumentality of information and communication technologies, their location notwithstanding. However, there are myriad of gains accruable from the existence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Africa, especially in the realm of rural development.  It is also evident that there are challenges inherent in their use. This article x-rays the role of ICTs in rural development in Nigeria, juxtaposing it with their challenges. Keywords: ICT, Rural, Development, Nigeria, Afric

The Role of the Media in Tourism Development in Nigeria: The Rivers State Experience

The media are potent tools in mass mobilization, information dissemination, entertainment, socialization, integration, cultural promotion amongst others. The media plays a major role in cultural promotion and preservation at all levels. Cultural promotion entails that the media transmit and showcase the cultural heritage of a people to others such that those who are not aware of it become fully aware and also acquaint the incoming generation with their culture. Most of these cultures have gone into extinction or tilting towards going into extinction as a result of non-transmission to incoming generation. This paper x-rays the role of the media in tourism development in Nigeria with focus on Rivers State. The work is anchored on the Agenda-Setting theory which explains the effects of mass communication on culture and society. The work recommends that the media should do more in terms of advocacy reportage on cultural activities of Rivers State to keep the people alert and informed of such cultural activities as well as afford others the opportunity to leverage on the opportunities that such avenues provides thereby leading to tourism development in the state which will transcend to Nigeria as a whole. Key words: Media, Culture, Tourism, Promotion, Nigeria.