Five years ago, the Communication Office of IITA–CGIAR developed a radio station to broadcast valuable information directly to the “last mile,” particularly smallholder farmers, consumers, and policymakers. Starting as an online outlet, RadioIITA has been a groundbreaking initiative that has disseminated the institute’s research output and information to those who need it.
On 8 August, IITA celebrated the fifth anniversary of the initiative, now a community radio station broadcasting on 88.5 FM in Ibadan, Nigeria. The occasion also served as a platform to launch a new initiative—IITA TV—to provide visual broadcast services about agricultural advancements and research activities from IITA.
In her opening remarks, IITA Communication Head Katherine Lopez acknowledged the support of all past and present colleagues who have contributed to the success of RadioIITA. In her speech read by the Head of IITA People and Culture, Lilian Medoza, she excitedly announced IITA TV as the implementation of the second phase of the plan to extend the institute’s positive impact in the world. “We hope to continue to use this mass medium and strategic communication channel to reach more of our beneficiary farmers and farming communities, educate them, and share our innovations, ultimately impacting the lives of our farmer-beneficiaries and their families,” she said.
RadioIITA Lead Dajie Odok highlighted the journey from its early days, challenges, and feats the station has achieved in the past years, as well as the statistical analysis of the radio’s listenership.
In his Keynote address, IITA Director General and CGIAR Regional Director for Continental Africa, Simeon Ehui, excitedly lauded the radio and TV milestones achieved by the Communication Office. He sees these as outreach tools to facilitate engagement with “our broader audiences”—farmers, researchers, policymakers, and the general public. “IITA, through the communication office, needs to partner with other media outlets to continually spread awareness and information to interested stakeholders, partners, and donors,” he added.
In his speech, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated that radio is an all-permissive channel for information dissemination across the globe. In his words, “When RadioIITA station started years ago, we believed that it was long overdue; however, with the commissioning of the TV station, it appears that there is an alignment between IITA and those of us who are experts in the field of communication.” He further urged the team to do more to improve interactions between farmers, researchers, and consumers, who are the primary target of the institute.
Afterward, the IITA DG commissioned IITA TV by officially unveiling the station logo and the different TV shows on the roster. He then joined the IITA TV team to record the maiden episode of the flagship TV program, Hello IITA—a breakfast show highlighting issues and updates around IITA centers.
Following the broadcast, Hello IITA co-host and IITA TV Lead Tolulope Olabode, in her closing remarks with RadioIITA Lead Odok, thanked everybody for supporting the Communication Office in spreading awareness and relevant knowledge for agriculture.
Contributed by Tolulope Akinola
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