Southwest Echoes Launches Media Initiative for Underserved Rural Areas
Southwest Echoes Launches Media Initiative for Underserved Rural Areas
By Kaosara Olayemi Oladimeji
In a bid to enhance the quality and timely reporting of events in rural communities across the South-west region, Southwest Echoes, a prominent media organisation, has introduced the “Southwest Rural Media Monitoring Initiative.”
The primary objective of this initiative, as revealed by Toki Olugbenga, the editor of Southwest Echoes, during a news conference in Odeda, is to focus on the underreported and underserved areas in the South-western part of the nation.
Toki emphasised that rural communities are seldom acknowledged except in instances of large-scale violence or high-profile politicians’ visits during election campaigns.
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He expressed concern over the fact that while election materials can reach these rural communities, essential developmental projects hardly do.
“A significant portion of our agricultural produce originates from these rural communities, yet due to inadequate road networks, a considerable amount of it goes to waste on the roads, leading to a reduction in farmers’ income,” Toki stated.
“Unfortunately, mainstream media seldom highlights these issues.”
In addition to this, Peter Oyewole, the initiative’s program manager, has disclosed plans to collaborate with various Community Development Associations (CDA), Community Development Councils (CDCs), traditional rulers, and concerned residents of the rural areas.
Through the Southwest Rural Media Monitoring Initiative, Southwest Echoes is dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of these remote communities, giving them a voice, and ensuring their concerns are brought to the forefront of public discourse.