Counter-narrative communication versus dominant hegemonies: An analysis of the Niger Delta problem in a Nigerian play.
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Date
2017-04
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Department of Mass Communication, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
Abstract
Since oil exploitation started in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria, soon after the discovery of the same at Oloibiri, in 1956, the area has known no peace. The violent dimension to the crisis and persistence of the same over the years is an indication of some problem with its management by the government, but, what’s the problem? This is what this paper seeks to investigate, using Tess Onwueme’s play, Then She Said It as paradigm. The paper adopts the descriptive and content analysis methods; and Miller’s theory of Justice as a framework. Our findings show that the failure of the state in the discharge of its social responsibilities to the citizens accounts largely for the spate of violence. Being the dominant hegemony, the government presents only the official narrative that stigmatises the militants and sees no justification for agitation, but Onwueme adopts a counter narrative that exposes the insincerity of the government. The paper, therefore, concludes that nothing short of a concrete demonstration of sincere political will by the government to address the Niger Delta problem will extirpate the insurgency. The paper’s relevance lies in its attempt to seek solution to national problems; and recommends the counter narrative communication to creative writers.
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Agboola, M. O. (2017). Counter-narrative communication versus dominant hegemonies: An analysis of the Niger Delta problem in a Nigerian play. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 9(1): 73– 84. Abraka, Nigeria: Department of Mass Communication, Delta State University.