PUBLIC RELATIONS AS A TOOL FOR CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION(A CASE STUDY OF NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION)

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