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Abstract

This paper takes into account the exceptionality of the socio-economic characteristics (age, income, education, marital status, occupation) of female participation in politics through the use of indigenous communication. The theory was laid on democratic-participant theory. Four communities were selected in Lagos and Ogun states. Survey design, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and in-depth interviews (IDI) were adopted to generate both quantitative and qualitative data for the study. Structured and semi structured copies of the questionnaire were administered on 800 purposively selected respondents but only 775 copies of the questionnaire were used for analysis. Four (4) focus group discussions, made up of 8 purposively selected discussants each took place in four communities. Four purposively selected participants took part in the in-depth interviews. The quantitative data were presented in tables and analysed, using percentage counts, and cross tabulation. Mean and standard deviation were used for ranking of the perception of women on the role of indigenous communication in politics. The qualitative data, on the other hand, were transcribed and analysed, adopting the constant comparative technique and thematic approach. From the findings, young women participate more in politics. On age distribution, respondents were analysed and the result reveals that 40%, were between 26-35 years, only 8.2%, were over 55 years. The age distribution reveals that over 70% of the respondents were young women. Most of the respondents in this research were between 18 and 35. Recommendation were made among others that since young female participate more in politics, leaders in the community should devise more activities to promote the participation of young women and involve them in the preparation, organisation and evaluation of such activities.

Author Biography

Dr. Kehinde Opeyemi Oyesomi is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Her responsibilities as a lecturer include teaching, advising, project supervision, research, and community development. She teaches Journalism and Public Relations courses. Her research interests are on Gender, media, ICT, political communication and development communication. She possesses a strong positive character and determination to contribute to scholarship in her area of discipline. She also possesses the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently, and to work smartly and resourcefully in a fast-paced environment. She has published in several local international journals.

Prof. Abiodun Salawu is Professor of Journalism, Communication and Media Studies and Director of the research entity, Indigenous Language Media in Africa (ILMA). He has taught and researched journalism for over two decades in Nigeria and South Africa. Prior to his academic career, he practiced journalism in a number of print media organisations in Nigeria. He has to his credit, scores of scholarly publications in academic journals and books. He has also edited three books and authored one. He is a regular presenter of papers at local and international conferences. He is a co-vice chair of the journalism section of IAMCR and a member of editorial/advisory boards of a number of journals. He is rated by the NRF as an established researcher and he is a member of the Codesria’s College of Senior Academic Mentors.

Dr. Bankole Olorunyomi is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State. He has published in several local and international journals. His research interests are on Nigerian Foreign Policy, development, terrorism, politics of post-cold war era and other political issues.

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