FUTA FM 93.1

COMMUNITY RADIO;A CASE STUDY OF FUTA 93.1FM

Information is vital to the corporate existence of every organization, community, state , nation e. t. c as it is now information dissemination has spread globally with various modes of dishing out news and events. In recognition of the importance of information to growth and development these spurred the management of the federal university of technology, Akure to establish a community radio for the purpose of education, research, advancement of technology and dissemination of information to the student and the benefiting community. FUTA radio is a community radio based in Akure with location on the apex floor of the senate building at the heart of the Federal university of technology , Akure premises. The management of university received license of operation from the National broadcasting commission 2000 for a community based radio 93.1fm.

The management set the ball rolling by awarding the contract of purchasing equipments to be used in the broadcast of programmes while the contractor was prompt in delivering the work at the schedule date. The dream of the founding founders were realized with a test transmission on November 2010 and was commissioned by January 2011.

Futa fm radio started transmission on 93.1 frequency modulation and a slogan ....promoting technology through self reliance with a 10 kilowatt transmitter and an outreach of power radiating between 6.50kw and 6.31kw while the range is based on 35 kilometres radius and 70 to 90 kilometers range with signals to communities and towns in Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Kogi and Ogun state.

Programming in FUTA fm 93.1 is not based on the normal quarterly system rather its on a credence system and segmented as follows; FUTA- 40% for teaching, research and other programmes NEWS- 20%, Community, information, entertainment programmes- 40% Staff strengths Regular staff-30% , Freelance, Volunteers and Independent freelance broadcasters 70% Language English – 90%, Indigenous 10% Funding is provided by the university and local adverts. Challenges 1.The NBC postulated a non usage of corporate advert. 2.Bureacratic tendency 3.Inadequate professionals. 4.Funding is inadequate. Since the establishment of FUTA fm 93.1,there have been only two general managers namely ;The pioneer GM,Mr Tola Funmilayo and Mr Akinwunmi Abodunde who is currently the GM drafted from ondo state Radiovision corporation, Akure.