The Correlation between Social Violence and the Comments of Nigerian Politicians during Electioneering Campaigns: A Political Marketing Study

This study undertook a critical appraisal of the utterances and speeches of some Nigerian leaders/politicians during electioneering campaigns and their correlations to the level of social and political crisis witnessed in the country so far. It was motivated by the high level of violence and social crisis that greeted the 2011 general elections and the intractable social crisis in the country since independence. The objectives of the study therefore included to: ascertain the degree of correlation between the negative comments and the violence that followed the 2011 presidential election in Nigerian; determine the degree of correlation between the negative comments and the heightened insurgency social crisis in the country; and examine the potency of political marketing tools as panacea for the problem. For the methodology, our primary data were sourced through opinion survey of Nigerian masses views on the comments/speeches by Nigerian politicians during the 2007 and 2011 electioneering campaigns. The data were statistically analyzed with Likert’s 5-points scale and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results obtained show a high degree of correlation between those negative comments and the political/social crises in the country since then, and that political marketing strategies packaged and professionally delivered by public relations experts would serve as effective panacea for such problems in future. Key words: Political violence, social violence, negative comments, electioneering, political marketing

Public Relations Strategies for Managing Religious, Ethnic and Social Conflicts For the Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Development In Nigeria

The rate of ethnic, religions, communal, social and political conflicts in Nigeria is unarguably very inimical not only to the unity of the Nigeria nation, but also to its socio-economic and political development. Foreigners are de-investing and running away to other countries, while foreign direct investment is running low. Today, there are fears whether the country’s unity and its fledgling democracy will survive, talkless of its avowed dream march into one of the developed nations of the world. This paper which is desk-research-based therefore delves into a critical appraisal of religious, ethnic and social conflicts in Nigeria, their effect on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow into the country and outflow from the country, and how the tide could be stemmed through effective public relations conflict resolution and crisis management strategies. The study objectives included: to determine the financial and economic implications of religious and ethnic crisis on foreign direct investment to Nigeria between 1980 – 2012 and to highlight the integrated public relations panacea for the problem. In the research methodology, secondary data were entirely used for the analysis. Results obtained indicate that foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Nigeria over the period under review have been adversely and significantly impacted by the problems. It is therefore recommended that integrated public relations strategies should be employed to dissuade the citizens from involving in religious, ethnic and social conflicts in order to reverse the negative economic trends. Keywords: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Conflict, Economic Developmen

Accountability Culture and Public Acceptability of Local Government System for Enhanced Grassroot Development in Nigeria: the Role of Public Relations

In this study the correlation between accountability culture in the administration of local governments in Nigeria and the recent public outcry for the proscription of that tier of government is examined, as it affects development in the country’s grassroot areas. It was motivated by the call for the abrogation of the local government system due to alleged poor performance. The objectives sought were to: ascertain the level of correlation accountability practices or lack of it has in the public demands for the proscription of local government system in Nigeria and determine the effect of the local governments’ accountability standards on project development at the grassroots’ levels. The research methodology adopted survey design technique, with structured questionnaire as the main instrument for primary data collection. The data were analyzed with the statistical tools of Likert’s 5-points scale and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The results obtained show that there is a strong correlation between poor accountability by local government administrations in Nigeria and the public outcry for the disbandment of that tier of government. There was also significant correlation between the lack of accountability culture in local government administrations in Nigeria and the poor development at the grassroots’ levels of the country. Based on this outcome, the applications of public relations attitudinal-change strategies from negative practices to positive practices in fund management by local government chairmen in Nigeria was proffered for enhanced development at the grassroots’ levels of the country. Keywords: Accountability, Local Government’s administration, grassroots’ development, public relations, public perceptions

Effect of Techno-Stress on the Performance of Accountants and Other Managers in Nigerian Banking and Brewery Industries

In this study, the effect of techno-stress on accountants and managers in select critical economic sectors in Nigeria is x-rayed. This is motivated by the devastating consequences of this problem to organizations in many parts of the world. The objectives sought included to determine the effect of techno-stress on the performance and health of majority of middle-level and senior managers in the Nigerian banking and brewery sectors. Opinion survey techniques were employed in gathering data, which were analyzed with 5-points Likert’s scale. Area of study was Enugu metropolis and the 9th Mile corner of Enugu State of Nigeria. Results indicate that techno-stress has not significantly affected the performance of majority of middle-level and senior managers negatively in the Nigerian banking and brewery sectors. It has not also significantly increased the rate of ill-health of majority of managers in the Nigerian banking and brewery industries. However, mindful of the devastating effect of the problem, it is recommended that organizations should occasionally contract clinical psychologists and occupational therapists to organize health lectures for their staff on techno-stress, send them on frequent computer-trainings, reduce their work-loads and allow them more leisure and holidays. Keywords: Techno-Stress, Nigerian Banking, Brewery Industrie

Marketing Teachers Training and Retraining Programmes in Enugu State to Educational Policymakers & Administrators

In this study, the problem of inadequate attention by educational policymakers and administrators to teachers’ training and retraining, particularly in primary and secondary schools’ levels in Enugu State of Nigeria is critically examined. The objectives sought were to: Ascertain the level of funding of the training and retraining programmes of teachers in primary and secondary schools in Enugu State; determine the regularity or otherwise of the training and retraining programmes for the teachers, and ascertain the significance of some marketing communication tools for inculcating the importance of teachers’ training and retraining to educational policymakers/administrators in the State. Survey design was used in this study, where primary data were entirely used for the analysis. The population of the study comprised the entire primary and secondary schools’ teachers, plus the educational policymakers and administrators in the State. The data were analysed with Likert’s 5-points scale and measure of central tendencies. Results obtained show that majority of the teachers in Enugu State have not received funding for workshops, seminars, conferences or other continuous education training programmes in the past 5 years, and the few programmes were non-continuous and irregular. That majority of the teachers were not also computer-literate and could not teach same to their students. However, that marketing communication below-the-line and above-the-line tools will be highly effective in convincing the educational policymakers & administrators on the need for a continuous teachers training programmes in the State and was thus recommended for use by the relevant teachers associations and professional bodies. Keywords: Policymakers/Administrators, Teachers’ training, Marketing Strategies

Assessment of Public Relations Strategies Employed by Major International Oil Companies for Crisis Management in Nigeria

The study undertook a critical appraisal of the public relations strategies employed by major international oil companies for crisis management in Nigeria. It was occasioned by the incessant conflicts and crises between the oil companies and their host community publics. The specific objectives were to: appraise the effect of the public relations crisis management tools employed in maintaining mutual understanding between the IOCs and their host community publics; and evaluate the effect of the public relations crisis management tools of the IOCs on their corporate performance. Survey design was adopted in this study, where interview schedule was the main instrument for data collection. The population of the study embraced host community members of the international oil companies and select staff. Results indicate that: there is significant correlation between the public relations crisis management tools of the IOCs and the perceptions of their target publics; and the level of mutual understanding between them and their host communities. Also that the public relations crisis management tools of the IOCs have brought about significant positive press reports to them, all of which affected their corporate performance in the country in significant positive ways over the years. However, mindful of the room for improvement it was recommended among other things that: the IOCs in Nigeria must do everything possible to sustain and consolidate upon the significant positive perceptions of their target publics which they are currently enjoying through astute public relations strategies; should not allow the situation in the Niger Delta to relapse to the bad old days of kidnappings and hostage-taking of oil workers and ensure that the Niger Delta region remains a crisis-free environment, safe for oil productions, for consequent optimal revenue to the nation. Keywords: Public Relations, Oil Companies, Crisis Management, Host Communities, Nigeria

Assessment of Advertising as a Social Marketing Tool for Managing HIV/AIDS Spread Amongst the Rural Populace in Nigeria

The study undertook a critical assessment of advertising as a social marketing tool for managing HIV/AIDS spread amongst the rural populace in Nigeria. It was motivated by the fact that over 70 percent of the populace dwell and earn their living in the rural areas, while over the years, health promoters and marketers in Africa have emphasized the use of above-the-line advertising media, which do not significantly permeate the rural populace. The objectives of the study included to: appraise the effect of above-the-line advertising and below-the-line advertising as social marketing tools for the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS amongst the rural populace in Nigeria. Survey research design was employed in the study. The area of study was three rural communities in Nigeria. The population of the study was 3,000, comprising of farmers, market women, artisans, teachers and students in the areas. A sample size of 240 was judgmentally determined. The main instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire consisting of four-point Likert scale. Non-probability sampling technique of purposive sampling was used to distribute the questionnaire. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was employed for the data analysis. Results indicate that: above-the-line advertising media were not significantly effective as social marketing tools for the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS amongst the rural populace in Nigeria; while below-the-line advertising media were significantly effective as social marketing tools for the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS amongst the rural populace in Nigeria. It was then recommended among other things that health marketers and communicators should de-emphasize the use of mass media in their social marketing campaigns to the populace, especially the rural dwellers. Keywords: Advertising, Social Marketing, HIV/AIDS Prevention, Health-Marketing

Social Conflicts and Public Private Partnership (PPP) Inertia In Nigeria: X-Ray Of Social Marketing And Conflict Resolutions’ Antidote

The rate of ethnic, religions, communal, social and political conflicts in Nigeria is unarguably very inimical not only to the unity of the Nigeria nation, but also to its socio-economic and political development. Thus, arguments are rife that this trend is adversely affecting the upward drive of public private partnership initiatives in the country, notwithstanding that in its economic policy thrust, the Nigerian government has made public private partnership (PPP) a cardinal base for the achievement of the much needed economic upstart for the nation. But observers are critical that if nothing is done to checkmate the spates of bombings by the Boko Haram sect and other intractable conflicts and crises across the country, that might turn out another pipe dream. This paper examined the correlation between the social conflicts and PPP growth rate in the country, and the efficacy of social marketing and conflict resolution tools as antidote. Survey design was used and area of study was three commercial nerve centres in Nigeria: Lagos, Aba and PortHarcourt. Keywords: Social conflicts, public private partnership (PPP), public relations, social marketing, conflict resolution.

Appraisal of Marketing Communication Tools for Effective Country Rebranding Campaign of Nigeria

The study was on appraisal of marketing communication tools for effective country rebranding campaign of Nigeria. It was an offshoot of the perennial erroneous perceptions of Nigerians and the consequent negative image equation in the international circles. This is in spite of the various federal government’s Rebranding Nigeria project. The objectives of this study were to: ascertain if the right marketing communications messages, right marketing communications media, and right marketing communications personnel were used in the rebranding Nigeria projects. Survey technique was employed in the study, which targeted a cross section of Nigerians of varied social, economic and political classes. The area of coverage was limited to two cities: PortHarcourt and Lagos, where Nigerians of all ethnic persuasions live and work there in large numbers. From a working population of 1,200,000, a sample size of 350 was determined. Data were analyzed with the Chi-square (X2) statistical tool, at a confidence level of 95% and a 5% margin of error. Results reveal that: the wrong marketing communications messages were used in the execution of the rebranding Nigeria project; the wrong choice of media channels were used in the rebranding Nigeria exercises and majority of the personnel used in the rebranding Nigeria programmed did not have the requisite marketing communications skills. Based on this, it was recommended that trained marketing communications’ practitioners and appropriate media should be used in future rebranding Nigeria exercises. Keywords: Marketing Communications, Country Rebranding, Media, Personnel

Appraisal of Youths’ Involvement in Social Conflicts and the Implications on Nigeria’s Image and Tourism Development

This study undertook a critical appraisal of the correlation between the intractable social conflicts like the Boko-Haram and the Niger Delta crises, where youths are the key players, on the international image of Nigeria and tourism development in the country. It is motivated by the avalanche of media reports that the country’s image is being seriously battered abroad by these internal social problems. The specific objectives sought were to: ascertain the correlation between the Boko-Haram crisis and the nation’s image ratings abroad; the Niger Delta crisis and the nation’s image ratings abroad and their impacts on tourism development in the country. Survey design was adopted in the study, where electronic questionnaires (E-questionnaire) via the Internet were used to gather the primary data. The data so sourced were statistically presented/analyzed with Likert’s 5-points scale, Spearman’s correlation coefficient and Friedman chi-square. Results obtained show that both the Boko Haram crisis and the Niger Delta crisis have adverse impact on the country’s international image and tourism development, consequently on youths’ unemployment rate. It was then recommended that proactive public relations crisis management strategies should be used in nipping such crisis in their buds in future. Keywords: Boko Haram crisis, Niger Delta crisis, National Image, Tourism Development