ABSTRACT

This study deals with public relations as a tool for conflict management in the Niger Delta (A Case Study of Niger Delta Development Commission). The specific area of study is Port- Harcourt Umuahia, Owerri and Yenogoa.

Some hypotheses were put up to guide during the research work.

Literature review and some reference were made to relate the contemporary conflict in the region by the researcher in chapter two of this work.

The researcher then used questionnaire oral interview and direct observation for collecting the necessary data and information required the Yaro Yamemi statistical tool was used to determine the sample size.  The validity and reliability of instruments were shown.

In chapter four, the researcher presented and analyzed the data gotten from the questionnaire by using simple tables and percentages.  Also the hypothesis put up were vividly fasted using the chi-square formula.

Finally at chapter five, findings of the study shown that ecological degradation is the major cause of the conflict in the Niger Delta and public relations plays a major role in the management of the conflict and its tools are very effective.

Some conclusions were drawn and recommendation made at last. Suggestions for further study was also given. 

 CHAPTER ONE

INTORDUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Public relations were not generally a full-time profession until after the first world war-1914-1918. The first practitioners were the press agents of the 1900’s. During that period, public relations was not recognized as  a public relations were restricted to publicity and commercial notices (Thompson 2003:39).  A change in the traditional public relations practices came first in the united states when IVY L. Lee, a journalist was hired in 1906 as a publicity adviser to a private industrial establishment (a group of anthracite operators) for image creation improved workers attitude and improved cooperate and competitive policy formulation with the aim of achieving the organization’s goals. (Benton 1974:285) Public relations become recognized as a management function. The emergence of public relations as a management function led to further improvement on public relations tolls like   public opinion, publicity, advertising propaganda press release conference etc.  government agencies began to hire experienced people for publicity function in the 1920’s during that period further development of public relation’s practices was achieve public relations is the art and science of achieving harmony with the environment through mutual understanding based on truth and full information (black 1989:210).  This means that public relations is a distinctive management function which helps in establishing and maintaining mutual lines of communication, understanding acceptance and cooperation between a organization and its public.   As a management function, public relations play  a vital role in formulation of  competitive business  strategies such as cooperate planning research marketing information and other from of business intelligence geared towards the realization of the organizations goals. (Gruing 1994:33) Organization public relations management and policy formulation came after the world war 11 (1938-1945) particularly in west Europe.  After the war organized public relations penetrated into Asia, Africa and latin America through colonialism.  The British west African public service for instance had the public relations department in 1945.(Omeokwe 1997:33).