ABSTRACT: Mass media especially television has been a major agent of socialization and education in the society through edutainment programmes like Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Brain Test, Quiz T.V, Debate” and many more. Today, education is not limited within teacher and four wheels of the classroom because television has proved to be a relevant teacher and instructor. Therefore, the research examined the MTN Who Wants to be a Millionaire as tool of socialization among students in tertiary institutions. The study is anchored on three theories which are Perception Theory, Uses and Gratification Theory and The Entertainment-Education Theory. However, for the purpose of this paper, survey research method was employed while questionnaires were administered to 200 respondents who were drawn using a simple random sampling technique of which 190 copies of the questionnaire were completely filled and returned for analysis. The data collected were analyaed and interpreted using frequency and percentage tables method with SPSS version 20. It is recommended that television industry should as a matter of fact create many decent educative programmes that will continue to promote the educational values of Nigeria while specialized presenter should be groomed on educational programmes while regular training, seminars and workshops should also be organized for the presenter, this will boost the educational morale of students while they are been entertained as well.
Keywords: Who Wants to be a Millionaire
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Television being an audio-visual medium has the capacity to influence the attitude, behaviour, thinking and socialization of an individual from childhood to adult stage. The popular assertion “See is believing” makes television messages more accepted, persuasive and very influential unlike radio which is a blind medium and appeals to only sense of hearing and newspaper that meant for the literates.
Television is used for several reasons including information, education, entertainment, and persuasion. Unlike other media structures, television has the advantage of utilizing vision for mass communication. Programming remains a key instrument for attracting audience and determining the viability of a station. Koblowe and Oluchi (2010).
Television is a medium with the greatest socialization effect, surpassing almost all the other media (radio, newspaper, magazine, etc) by far in its influence on the young mind. Television has become a significant social phenomenon in Nigeria and all over the world.
Television viewing is generally believed to generate social force of undeniable influence on both the adult and the younger once. It is assume to be the most popular entertainment mass medium for children and women. It is this selection of daily programmes, which gets full attention of the viewers. One might say, whatever impacts television is able to inculcate, it is because of various plays, cartoons, films and musical shows, educational programmes, news e.t.c. which are telecasted everyday Muhammad, Bakht and Noman (2009) cited in Zubari, (1992).
Television is among the core agents of socialization apart from the parents (family), peer group, school, religion etc. television by its nature is able to bring people closer to the event, showcase past event, cultural festival, tales among others to the younger generation.
Bryson (2000) says socialization is a process whereby individuals are made aware of behaviours that are expected of them with regards to the norms, beliefs, attitudes, and values of the society in which they live. Also, Lawal, (2006) describe socialization as the process by which the human organism becomes a persons and functioning member of society and by which such person continually integrated into groups by acquiring as their own the norms, values and perspectives of such groups.
It should be recalled that television since it emergence in Nigeria in the 50s, it has continued to perform three basic role i.e educate, enlighten and entertaining inform of news, drama, musical, political update, economy update, state of the development etc.
Today, television has made learning and teaching gone beyond the four wall of the classroom by offering educational programmes that capable of enriching the students. It could be on Mathematics, English language, history, politics, talent and skill showcase, civic responsibilities, tales, culture etc. Some of the educational programme include but not limited to: Who wants to be a millionaire , Take a step, Brain tussle, MTN Project Fame, Nigeria got Talent, Gulder Ultimate Search, Star quest e.t.c
It should be noted that most of this shows are called reality television show because of it perceived reality rather than being acted or edited and making people believe that they also learn it, do it and achieve it as seen on the screen.
However, one of the most popular among the reality and education show in Nigeria is “who wants to be a millionaire show”. This is a general knowledge television quiz programme which is based on the simple concept of one contestant winning cash prizes as he/she answers questions correctly. The cash prize to be won gets bigger with every question answered correctly, with 15 consecutive correct answers winning the contestant Ten Million Naira (N10, 000, 000)! The program was first aired in Nigeria as the 104th country, on 8th October 2004. The N10, 000, 000 top prize money is the highest prize of any game show in Nigeria and the show itself ranks amongst the most watched shows in Nigeria with close to 50 million viewers Odunuga, (2013).
In 2004 as the show unfolded with 12 episodes and 29 winners. The very first millionaire on the show was Quadric Arasi in January, 2005. As of August 2009, a poet Osahon Osazuwa won the highest amount of 5 million naira but in February 2010 Aroma Ufodike of Lagos won 10 million naira and is the first person to win the highest amount placed on the show. MillionaireNigeria (n.d).
Also, statistics show that about 83% male as against 17% females participate in the game. Any intelligent person can play the game as the show cuts across all professions with no exception. The show is sponsored by MTN Telecommunication Company and the show is hosted by Frank Edoho.
Who wants to be a millionaire is one of the reality television shows that have many Nigerians undergraduates and talented youth as participants and fans. To this end, the research investigates MTN who wants to be a millionaire as tool of socialization among undergraduates in Nigeria particularly among the Redeemer University students and University of Lagos with a view to know their perception and effect of the programme on their education, socialisation and others.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Television programmes-educational broadcasting platforms have not succeeded in sharing new ideas to its audience. The diverse functions of television programmes, such as entertainment, information provision, among others have gained more prominence than the educational role (socialization procedure) television programmes play or can possibly play.
Of all literature examined, there is an unsatisfactory state of empirical evidence of affairs concerning the effectiveness of television programme bring about socialization among adults in Nigeria. This is the gap in the literature that this paper intends to attend to.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- To what extent do Redeemers University and UNILAG undergraduates watch who wants to be a millionaire programme?
- To what extent has who wants to be a millionaire programme influence the Redeemers University and UNILAG undergraduates’ social behaviour?
1.4 RATIONALE OF THE STUDY
- To examine whether Redeemers University and UNILAG undergraduates watch who wants to be a millionaire programme.
- To ascertain the extent at which who wants to be a millionaire programme influence the Redeemers University and UNILAG undergraduates’ social behavior.
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The research has been narrowed in scope to Redeemers University and University of Lagos students. The institutions are selected because of its proximity to the researcher as it will be difficult if not impossible to study all tertiary institutions in Nigerian due to time available for this study. Other considerable factors were geographical locations, age, sex and social status of the respondents will be considered before the administration of the research instrument.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The research is significant because is beneficial to students, business firm, school, government, individuals and researchers.
Company: Difference companies particularly MTN will find this research very interesting as it will help them review the contribution of the programme in terms of social responsibility and promoting educational socialization among undergraduates.
Researchers: It forms part of the academic materials that students, lecturers, researchers and company can turn to when carrying out research on how reality television shows particularly Who Wants to be a Millionaire influencing undergraduates.
Knowledge: The core significance of the study is to add to the body of knowledge in mass communication and fill the gap in the area of reality television on the audience in Nigeria particularly undergraduates.
1.7 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF THE TERMS
MTN: This is one of the telecommunication companies in Nigeria sponsoring “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” reality show on NTA, STV and other channels.
Socialization: It refers to television programme such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire in educating, teaching and impacting on adult social development
Who wants to be a Millionaire: This is a programme sponsored by MTN showcase on NTA, STV, AIT.
Television : Is an audio-visual medium, it has the capacity to reach a mass audience with both sound and motion which help enhancing people socialization.
Adult: Adult in this regards refers to all final year students of the Redeemers University.
UNILAG: University of Lagos, Akoka
WHAT TO EXPECT: (Format: MS WORD, Chapter 1-5, Abstract, Table of Contents, Questionnaire and References)
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