PROGRESS AND COMMUNICATION APPROACHES TOWARD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated communication approaches used by the interventionist agencies (NDDC and NDBDA) in driving sustainable development goals in South South region of Nigeria. The objectives of the study are to; evaluate the discernible milestones of these communication approaches in light of SDG’s actualization in South South Nigeria, evaluate the disposition of NDDC and NDBDA towards the actualization of the SDGs. The study is predicated on stakeholder theory. Survey research design was adopted in the study. The population of the study were staff of NDDC Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers State and also the three staff of NDBDA, Rivers State, totaled 801. The questionnaires were purposively administered to the respondents. Findings of the study revealed that the sustainable development goals that are notably carried out by NDDC and NDBDA in the three states in South South Nigeria include; education, provision of water, sanitation, education, free medical care but of low and moderate extent except education. Findings also revealed that the communication channels used by the NDDC and NDBDA in driving sustainable development goals include; radio, television, social media platforms. The study concluded that the visibility of these goals are blurring such that the communities in South South Nigeria where these investigations are carried out cannot make boast of sustainable development programs. Therefore, for the fact that communication approaches have assisted the NDDC and NDBDA in recording some milestones in the light of SDGs in South South Nigeria, those approaches in used should not only be continuously implemented rather strengthen them by employing informal communication approaches to enhance for more actualization, although the

NDDC and NDBDA ‘disposition  with respect to SDGs in South South Nigeria is that there are performing well, this study recommends that the NDDC and NDBDA should work in conformity with the Publics so as to know the pressing needs of individuals. For instance, workshop, seminars and conferences should be regularly convened to discuss challenges bordering on people in the region.