ABSTRACT

This research focuses on the use of public relation strategies in conflict resolution at the grassroot in Nigeria. A study of Kor and Kpong, in Khana L.G.A of Rivers state. Conflict or crisis is a necessary evil, a sin quo non. This was so because in the process to satisfy needs, people and organizations engaged in different activities as a result of that conflict arises. Which was the case of Kor and Kpong communities. The researcher found structural conflict theory appropriate for the study. The objective of this study was to investigate the use of public relation strategies in conflict management. This research used both primary and secondary sources of data collection and population of the study was 3,471 and the actual sample size was 1,380. The simple average method was used to analyze the respondent responses to the questionnaire. For the findings of this research, it was discovered that land disputes, improper demarcation of land boundaries, unemployment, and intolerance among ethnic nationalities were the major causes of conflict. The researcher recommends that government should as a matter of priority make use of public relation programmes like public enlightenment campaigns, awareness programme among others to emphasis the need for tolerance and discipline among different communities.

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Conflict emerged in the universe right from the beginning of man and has remain a reoccurring variable or decimal but not without effects.

Man’s interaction with the environment coupled with the sophistication of the present age, survival of the fittest has become a since-quo-non. Thus, people get involved in many activities with the prime objective to satisfy their basic or primary needs (psychological and safety) and secondary needs (social, esteem and self-fulfillment).

In the process to achieve these need, conflicts or crisis always emerge either between on the other organization and group to win a bigger share of the market as to make profit than rivals which will result in intensive competition and finally conflict in communities due to interest will engage in conflict. Conflict is a necessary evil with us.

Origin of Public Relations in Nigeria

In Nigeria the history of public relations is associated with politics.

The colonial government in 1940 established the first information office in Lagos to disseminate war information. An agency came into the main stream two years later. In January 1944, public relations made recognized entry with the changing of the information agency name to public relations office. The office was necessary so as to present a picture of Nigeria to the outside world, to present and analyze information about progress in the war front, to explain Britain’s involvement in the war and to let people understand why certain essential commodities were scarce in the country, as well as to encourage the youth to join the war.

Moreover, Orraca-Ttteh (1985) noted that “public relations at that time wad embarrassingly linked with propaganda as the office mainly presented a picture of Nigeria to the outside world”.

By 1948, each region in Nigeria (that is West, East, and North) had a functional public relations office with the regional public relations officers communicating directly with the public relations office in Lagos.

However, after the Nigerian independence, public relations recorded and appreciable development in government public relations activities.

The NIPR (1988) anniversary publication (cited in Ajala 1993:) reveals that government took the advantage of the information ministry and utilized maximally and effectively the machinery at the federal level to promote its image. With the autonomous control of information channel at each state in the country, the government in power effectively used the public relations machinery to shore up its image. Even the military government couldn’t resist the urge as the khaki boys embraced the power of public relations in the running of the government affairs.

In 1960, Adekunle Ojora was appointed public relations adviser to UAC board, a development which helped stimulate the growth of public relation.

Sr. Samuel Epelle headed the public relations department of

Nigeria Railway. He is regarded as Nigeria’s Ivy Lee, in other words, father of public relations in Nigeria. He is credited to have founded Public Relations’ Association of Nigeria (PRAN) which later metamorphosed into Nigeria Institute of Publics Relations (NIPR) for his contribution to the profession, the NIPR has Sam Epelle memorial lecture which has now become an annual programme. Others who were acknowledge to have co-labored with Epelle included: Ambassador (Mrs.) Adekunle Moore Hospidares, Kunle Ojora, Adigwe and some other foreign nationals such as Britons.

Presently, hardly is there any day without news of conflict from our media whether religion, political or industrial conflict. Of a truth, conflict has been with us for centuries but the spate of current violent crisis in organization, government and communities portent great anger and threaten the growth and stability of the mention areas and the society in general.

This situation requires appropriate measures and structures to manage properly these evil called conflicts.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

From the above background, its obvious that confict is a negative element that is highly unwelcomed. Conflict decelerate growth and brings instability in the polity, it bring about unhealthy competition, destruction of life and property as well as lost of life. This development is crucial as foreign and domestic investors will be skeptical that theirs huge investment would be safe, fear and insecure as well as lack of trust and confidence will prevail.

This study therefore, is sought to investigate the different strategies public relation practitioner used in conflict resolution.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The nucleus objective of this research is to investigate how to manage and possibly reduce the frequency and channel of conflict to a more productive activity, to promote development in the society.

Specifically the research objectives include:

1. To examine if public relations strategies play a significant role in conflict management.
2. To x-ray if land dispute causes conflict among communities.

iii. Analysis on how intolerance among ethnic groups causes conflict.

1. To study the effect of conflict among ethnic group on foreign direct investment.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will benefit many co-operate organization, communities and government officials in conflict resolution. Also it will serves as a starting point for other researchers who will be interested in the subject of this research, it will also be beneficial to communities and public relations experts as more knowledge has been gained from the research.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTION

The researcher has mapped out vital research questions which need to be answered as follows:

1. Does public relations strategies play a significant role in conflict management?
2. Do land disputes causes crisis among communities?
3. Do intolerance among ethnic group causes crisis?
4. Do crisis among ethnic groups in the country discourage foreign direct investment?

1.6 SCOPE/DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study covers Kor and Kpong, in Khana Local Government Area Rivers State and specifically discuss causes of crisis and the activities of corporate organization on crisis issues and the use of public relation strategies in conflict resolution or management.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This researcher faced some obstacles in the course of gathering data, among the barriers were that few works have been done on the subject matter.

Also, the unwillingness of some respondents and government officials to provide information was another problem. Finally the financial constraints made it difficult for the researcher to reach a wider public.

Time constraint.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

The meaning of key words that constitute the research problem and some key words that may be used frequently in course of this research work will be defined as sub-headings to ensure proper and easy understanding of the study.

The following salient concepts have been conceptually defined for the study.

PUBLIC RELATIONS-Black (1989) defines public relations as the art and science of achieving harmony with the environment through mutual understanding, based on truth and information.

ANALYSIS: The detailed study or examination of something in order to understand more about it; the result of the study:

CONFLICT: A situation in which people, groups or countries are involved in a serious disagreement or argument.

RESOLUTION: The act of solving or setting a problem, disagreement.

GRASSROOTS: Ordinary people in society or in an organization, rather than the leaders or people who make decision.