The Media and Challenges of National Identity in Nigeria
[1]
Okafor Godson Okwuchukwu, Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
[2]
Emmanuel Ngozi, Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
[3]
Uzuegbunam Chikezie Emmanuel, Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Many Nigerians have almost lost faith in the idea of National unity and National identity because of the incessant crises situations pervading the Nigerian state. The multi ethnic, multi cultural, multi lingual and multi religious composition of the country with profound diversity and plurality further exacerbates the situation. Presently, it is unclear whether the overall effects of the Nigerian media are constructive or injurious to national identity amongst Nigerians. However, many communication scholars in Nigeria are convinced that the Nigerian media has the potential to reconcile the different groups in the country. It is argued that the media can in fact play a key role in national reconciliation, as well as in creating and entrenching a sense of national identity for Nigerians. This paper therefore examines the potentials of the Nigerian media in championing the much anticipated reconciliation of the different interest groups in the country. The paper also identifies the challenges facing the Nigerian media in the promotion of national identity. It concludes that asides the pivotal role of the media, Nigerian citizens have to rise up and be counted if true national identity will be realised and actuated.
Communication, Media, National Identity, Nationalism Theory, Social Identity Theory
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