I am very happy with this new transformer!
Oluchi Atu runs a 'provision shop' in AMAC market, selling everyday items like soft drinks, biscuits and soap. She鈥檚 one of about 500 traders in the noisy, colourful market that鈥檚 packed every day with people buying clothes, shoes, meat and vegetables.
But the future of the market and Oluchi鈥檚 livelihood were threatened when traders began leaving because of the unreliable electricity supply.
A platform for accountability
As chair of the market鈥檚 union, Oluchi took the situation in her own hands and went on an episode of radio programme Talk Your Own 鈥� Make Naija Better (Make Nigeria Better).
The 30-minute weekly show uses a combination of interviews, walkabouts and discussions so people can hold authorities to account on the issues that matter to them 鈥� their water supply, roads or education, for example. The programme is broadcast on more than 100 partner radio stations across Nigeria.
In this episode, people from across the city and neighbouring states gathered in central Abuja to directly question a panel of officials on electricity issues and demand answers. Nigeria鈥檚 minister of power was one of the panellists.
During the recording, Oluchi raised her hand, stood up, and directly addressed the minister: 鈥淎 lot of people are suffering in my market because we don鈥檛 have light at all. I want to know if we can get a bigger transformer to help us, because we, the traders, generate the money in this country.鈥�
Quick response
Just a week after the programme鈥檚 recording, the transformer was replaced 鈥� much to the delight of the market traders.
One butcher said 鈥淚t鈥檚 made a great change to my business because I used to lose about two or three cartons of my produce [due to lack of electricity].鈥�
Oluchi, meanwhile, says she鈥檇 encourage anyone to take the opportunity to take part on Talk Your Own. 鈥淚 was not afraid to ask the minister my question,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd I am very very happy with the new transformer!鈥�
Stories of change
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Abdul Bari Bawar, Afghanistan
After taking part in national debate show Open Jirga, community elder Abdul took the format home with him and persuaded his local radio station to make their own version for southern Afghanistan. -
Kan At village, Myanmar
After hearing an episode about water conservation, young listeners of radio show Lan Lat Kyiar Sin (Bright Young Stars) were inspired to take action 鈥� rebuilding their village pond so that now it's ready to provide a reliable water supply all year round. -
Dugo Boru and Aye Bejiga, Ethiopia
Dugo Boru wouldn't allow his pregnant wife Aye Bejiga to visit a health centre. But the radio programme Biiftuu Jireenyaa helped him change his mind. -
Oluchi Atu, Nigeria
Due to a poor electricity supply, trader after trader was leaving Lugbe AMAC market in Nigeria鈥檚 capital city Abuja. But then the chair of the market appeared on an episode of radio show Talk Your Own 鈥� Make Naijia Better. She asked the minister of power to help and a week later a new transformer was installed. -
Yahaya and Salamatu, Nigeria
Yahaya Abdul-Rahman and his wife Salamatu never miss an episode of radio health programme Ya Take Ne Arewa. Thanks to the Nigerian show, they've learned the importance of antenatal care, birth spacing and how to treat their water to make it safe to drink. -
Asadullah Kamawi, Afghanistan
32-year-old disabled man Asadullah held President Hamid Karzai to account on TV debate show Open Jirga 鈥� and was invited to discuss his views on disability issues with Afghanistan鈥檚 entire cabinet. -
Dr Kedar Budhathokii, Nepal
Farmer Dr Kedar Budhathoki shared his pioneering techniques on Nepal鈥檚 TV and radio debate show Sajha Sawal 鈥� and transformed people鈥檚 livelihoods across the country. -
Mwera village, Tanzania
When their water supply was cut off due to a local dispute, the villagers of Mwera on the coast of Tanzania contacted their local radio station to ask for help. Journalist Mohammed Hammie tells how his report helped to resolve the problem - and turned the water back on.