*Says BBC Hausa Service attracts 18m listeners per week
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service was reported weekend as being attracting over 18 million listeners per week.
According to a report sighted by The DEFENDER, it was said that, “For those, who are conversant with the North, this might not be surprising, as majority of the Northerners are good listeners and they dont joke with news hours, most especially on Hausa Service of most international radio stations like BBC Hausa, VOA Hausa, VON Hausa, Radio Germany and the rest.
“That is more than the number of Nigerians on Twitter. A lot of you live in this social media echo chamber and think there is no life outside Twitter. On February 25, 2023, you will see how wrong you are.
“Northern political class, religious and traditional leaders often find it expedient relating with their subjects and supporters through this medium of communication.
“Almost every working class Northerner and non educated in the North West has a small portable transistor radio. It is their essential life tool. They get their news from BBC Hausa.
“They may not show up on social media, but they will definitely show up at the polling unit on February 25, 2023 –
Recall that Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, stunned Nigerians when he distributed 100,000 radio sets to communities in seven local government areas under his zone.
“The radio sets were shared in 2016 to members of communities in Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Giwa, Igabi and Kajuru local government areas.
“While the picture of the distribution trended on social media, with mixed reactions trailing the decision, Sani said he gave out the radio sets to contribute towards the political consciousness of his people.
“Radio is the major source of information dissemination in the region with or without electricity. So, I am sharing this radio to contribute towards political consciousness within the people of my own senatorial district,” he said.
“Also when the health issue of late President Umaru Yar’Adua generated heated argument and rumoured to have passed on, there was no information. The ailing President spoke to Nigerians via BBC Hausa service.
“Northerners not largely being on social media does not mean they are not educated. You can be educated and have access to the Internet, without being on social media. They are not mutually exclusive. Take time to understand Northerners, because they understand you!” The report said.
