DISSEMINATING DEVELOPMENT MESSAGES THROUGH OPINION LEADERS- CASE STUDY OF ANIOCHA-SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL AREA OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

It has been argued that since opinion leaders directly affect the tipping of an innovation, a powerful way for change agents to affect the diffusion of an innovation is to affect opinion leaders' attitudes. This paper, therefore, I examined the extent to which opinion leaders in Aniocha-South Local Government Area of Dealt State have influenced the dissemination and 1 adoption of development messages. The survey research method was utilized and the questionnaire used as instrument to elicit information from respondents. The simple tables construct and percentages were used for 'j data analysis. Findings showed that opinion leaders have facilitated the.: dissemination and adoption of developmental messages in the areas studied. It was also found, that change agents communicate convincing messages about development to opinion leaders who in turn use these arguments to resonate with the masses to support their own adoption decision. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the 1 influential role of opinion leaders be exploited by government in spreading. development information.