PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL, BAYELA STATE, NIGERIA – International Journal of Social Sciences and Management Review

PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS OF PUBLIC RELATIONS TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL, BAYELA STATE, NIGERIA

Authors: Zenebobradikumor Arebai & Patrick Nkemdilim Ijeh (Ph.D.)

ABSTRACT

PR practice has been present in every community where people have lived since the dawn of time but its level of presence in LGCs in Nigeria is not certain. This study therefore examined the level of PR practice in Ekeremor LGC, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and public perceptions on its role in crises management. The study combined observation and survey and adopted multistage sampling to selected 384 participants from the local government area who responded to a questionnaire. The study used explanation building technique, simple percentages and mean scores for data analysis. Findings show that the level of PR practice in Ekeremor LGC is predominantly carried out by political appointees and external consultants and not by professional internal PR employees. However, the public perceive PR as relevant in crises management and report that it significantly contributed to the management of crises in the LGC The outcome of the study supports the postulation of the Public Relations Transfer Process Model that communication specialists can explore PR methods and strategies to turn antagonistic situations in government into favourable attitudes. The study recommends that LGCs should appoint professional full-time PR officers into their PR departments and give them a free hand to carry out their duties without attempting to turn them into propaganda machinery.

Keywords: Communication; Conflict; Government; Management; Professionals; Publics; Public Relations Transfer Process Model

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