A Perceptual Analysis of Communication and Natural Disasters Awareness across Communities in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State

Obaze Abraham ,Wilfred Oritsesan Olley ,Samson Ighiegba Omosotomhe ,Anthony Ubaka Ofunne

doi:10.7176/dcs/10-11-02

Abstract

This study is designed to access communication and natural disasters awareness in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State with emphasis on erosion and flooding issues in communities in the senatorial district. The study examined the information channels available to the people, especially on erosion and flooding control, and to know their perception towards these natural or man-made disasters. This objective of the study stems from the dangerous effects of erosion and flooding in Edo North and the perceived nonchalant attitude of the people towards their environment. Anchored on the survey method, the population of the study includes three hundred and thirty (330) residents spread across the local governments in Edo North Senatorial district of Edo State. The respondents were selected based on their residential status and without recourse to any particular demographic variable. The study recommends that even though the study found out that there is a good knowledge of what natural disaster means among the residents studied, it is important to recommend that the media in collaboration with various government agencies, especially the metrological agency to issue early warnings to residents in flood-prone areas as this will enable them to prepare ahead. It is also recommended that the mass media help in packaging messages on disaster awareness in the local dialect of the people, especially on the radio as this will help the people to understand the situations better and react where necessary. Even in print, some of the posters and handbills should be written in the local language of the people and pictures taken from their immediate environment used as a reminder to them of the reality of the danger their environment faces. Keywords: Natural Disasters, Awareness, Erosion, Flooding, Communication DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-11-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2020

Highlights

All over the world, countries are daily faced with almost an existential threat from flooding and erosion
There is no gainsaying the fact that the Nigerian environment is fraught with numerous environmental challenges which has caused so many pains to the peoples and given the government concern
The study can conclude with some level of certainty that there is a high level of awareness as regarding the existence and occurrences of disasters like flooding and erosion

Summary

Introduction

Countries are daily faced with almost an existential threat from flooding and erosion. Be it Japan, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Nigeria, the devastating effects of flooding are quite evident. In the United States of America, the Mississippi River caused damages put at several millions of dollars when it overflew its banks, flooding some cities, towns, farmlands and major industrial installations over a distance of about 250km and ravaging Iowa before it heaped downstream. Apart from the Mississippi-Missouri River Systems of 1993, and that of 1995, world records of the flood have it that recently severe floods were experienced in Norway, China, Bangladesh, Ghana, The Netherlands and South Florida (p.16).”

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