"Environment and health go together," she says. "For example, I can hold the attention of the public if I report on the consequences to their health when garbage is dumped near their homes: cholera, malaria and other diseases."

Programs on the environment have to tackle everyday life. This allows the direct involvement of Atlantic FM’s audience, she says. "Listeners suggest various subjects that can be approached in my broadcast. They spontaneously come forward to denounce certain behaviour and the carelessness of the authorities."

Getting the public involved in the program is the goal. "I wanted the program to be interactive and a program to help people develop an environmental consciousness," says Ms Odounlami.

"To increase public involvement, we also organise Q & A radio games by phone. As they have to answer questions on environment, they have to follow the program to answer properly," she says.

Involving the public has two major advantages. First, it makes people feel that their opinion is taken into account. Secondly, programs are built according to the public’s wishes, so that a part of the audience is already interested in listening to them.

The success of such a program is also tied to the involvement of the radio’s management, which is dedicated to environmental journalism, says Ms Odounlami. "For a long time, Atlantic FM has been interested in the environmental question and to help me improve the broadcasts." Among other things, the station sent her on a five-day training seminar on the environment.