‘Sports programmes, a getaway from youth restiveness’

Sharif A. Abdullahi is the editor and head of the sport section of Cool, Wazobia and Arewa FM stations, all in Kano State. Also known as Babs, his programme has greatly shaped sport broadcasting in the state.   What makes your sport programme different from others? In broadcasting, what really matters is the content of […]

Sharif A. Abdullahi is the editor and head of the sport section of Cool, Wazobia and Arewa FM stations, all in Kano State. Also known as Babs, his programme has greatly shaped sport broadcasting in the state.

 

What makes your sport programme different from others?

In broadcasting, what really matters is the content of the programmes on air. We have rich and meaningful contents that satisfy the yearnings of majority of the sporting community in Kano State. We offer the fans what they want, and all indications have shown that they really like what we have been giving them.

 

What in particular is your programme’s strength?

We localized the programme in a manner that about 90 per cent of what we discuss is connected to the Nigeria Premier League and also we have introduced an avenue through which our listeners are given opportunities to discuss issues and make suggestions on issues. These have made our listening community to increase tremendously. They keep increasing because we carry them along. In a nutshell I can say what really makes us unique are three things; the state of the art equipment, audience-centred contents and localization of the programme that ensures that sports broadcasting of about four hours daily is spread across the three stations.

 

What is your view on youth restiveness?

The adage ‘an idle mind is a devil’s workshop’ has been manifesting in our youths. However, through sports, it is believed that such could be tackled. According to a recent research and 0survey conducted on listenership of our sport programme, it was discovered that the programme has over three million audiences and that has made me one of the best sport broadcasters in the region.

These people are mostly youths and I strongly believe that through sport, youths restiveness can be addressed. The sports programme is considered the most followed because Kano has the largest radio audience base in Africa. The station gets to Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, some parts of Zamfara and Plateau states.  It may interest you to know that there is always a live streaming all over the world via the internet.

 

How do you perceive sporting activities?

To me, it is life. My passion for sports broadcasting has been noticed. I must state here that I was amazed when my name was mentioned as the winner of the media personality of the year award in 2016 by the Sports writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

Sport is a strong weapon that can be used to solve a lot of social vices in our communities. It is a medium through which all issues affecting youths in the country could be addressed. It is important for all of us to know that sport speaks a universal language that is understood by virtually everyone. That is why in Wazobia/Cool FM and Arewa radio stations, we also have slots for sport programmes in Hausa and Pidgin English.