VOA Hausa Service@45
BY: Nurudeen Dauda
Permit me to congratulate the management of Voice of America, VOA, Hausa Service for its 45years anniversary. I wish you many more years of diligent service to humanity. The service was established on the 21st of January, 1979. It is worthy of note that out of the 47 languages the VOA broadcasts its contents Hausa language is one of them.
Hausa, Swahili and Arabic are the three main African languages that most western broadcasting media stations often consider in Africa for broadcasting. The selection of Hausa, Swahili and Arabic in Africa is aimed at reaching the vast majority of African audiences. Hausa language is largely spoken in West Africa, Swahili in East Africa, and Arabic in North Africa.
From the 1950s “Africa” witness the proliferations of foreign media stations broadcasting news in African languages. Some “analysts” alleged that the two major western blocs of the “capitalist” led by the US and the “socialist” led by the then USSR were behind the setting up of the services in order to extent their politico- economic ideological campaigns across Africa. The 1950s coincided with the cold war era which sharply divided the world into two major politico -economic ideologies of the capitalist west led by the United States of America and the socialists east led by Russia of the then United Soviet Socialist Republic.
However, for whatever “purpose” the media houses were set up one could unarguably say that the ordinary “Hausa” man has become more politically, economically, educationally, and socially “enlightenment” and “exposed” than his peers through the influence of foreign media.
International Radio stations as a source of information has undoubtedly made the Hausa-Fulanis and or Northern Nigerian masses politically conscious as well as educated. The foreign media services often use the “inputs” of professors, PhD holders, experienced public servants, experts, and religious, traditional leaders through their interviews on several issues which benefits their listeners.
There were and or still are Radio Moscow world service, Hausa (Russia) established in 1961. Radio Sin (China) International Hausa service established in 1941. Deutech welle Radio (Germany) Hausa service established in 1963. British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Hausa service established in 1957. Voice Of America,VOA, Hausa service established in 1979. Radio Libya, Hausa service; Radio Tehran (Iran) IRIB, Hausa Service; and Radio Muryan Alkahira, Egypt, and Radio France International (RFI) established in 2007 etc.
In my observation, in recent years there are sharp drops in news “accuracy” and “reliability” by a section of the international media. It is sad to note that most media houses are now eager to be the first to break news without paying attention to critical details. Investigative journalism is becoming weak. Most media houses do not longer ensure balance on reportage. I have known VOA Hausa for accuracy and reliability. I call on you to continue to uphold the true practice of journalism without fear or favour. Let’s avoid junk or gomzo and or sensational journalism.
However, the Hausa people are the kanawas, Hadejawas, Katsinawas, Daurawas, Sakkwatawas, Gobirawas, Kebbawas, Zamfarawas, Zazzagawas, and Jasawas etc. Hausa Language is being spoken in Nigeria, Niger, Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Chad, Togo, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Gambia, Central Africa Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Congo, Ethiopia, Eretria, Sudan, Libya and Egypt etc.
The Hausas are blessed with their language being taught as a course of study in universities in Germany, England, United States of America, Belgium, Netherland, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and many other African Universities. A lot of european researchers study Hausa language in order to make their research work easier in terms of data gathering, especially in West Africa and other parts of Africa. There are many europeans who are professors in Hausa Language.
There are a lot of newspapers which published in Hausa language; such as: Leadership Hausa, Aminiya, Premium Times Hausa and Rariya etc. Hausa language could be adopted as a lingua Franca in West Africa with little or no hitches.
Finally, permit me to speak some home truth. Just like every ethnic group, the Hausa people have their “weaknesses” and or shortcomings which should and or must be addressed. There are too many beggars, divorcees, out of school children among Hausas. The ancient Al-majiri system has been bastardized, weak leadership, and lack of agenda, among others.
Once again congratulations VOA! Please accept my congratulations.
Nurudeen, a public affairs analyst can be reached via nurudeendauda24@yahoo.com.
