NIGERIA’S IMAGE AND THE PLACE OF THE PUBLIC RELATION IN ITS RECONSTRUCTION
ABSTRACT
Nigeria’s image to foreign countries over the years does not hold water, hence the choice of the topic.
This work is emphasizing on how the public relations can help in reconstructing Nigeria’s image abroad.
Nigeria got her independence for over forty tow years and ever theory had been battling with the problems of reconstructing its image both internally and externally.
The good moral disposition of any citizen of a country depends on the good image of her country.
The objectives of this study was to find out how the public relations could be of help in reconstructing the poor image of the country in other to change their attitude and motion about Nigeria
And for this countries to have value in the sight of other countries depend on how good public relations practitioners in this country can formulate ways in which it can best be done.
The strategies used were sample questionnaires and interviews. This research was carried out among the educated people in the society and pubic relation practitioners in Enugu urban.
It was made clear that the poor image of the country resulted to the attitude of our people who engage in all sort of atrocities like drug trafficking credit card fraud, stealing etc.
The work was divided into five chapter with conclusion that the government should embark on campaign with a view to promoting its image to the out side countries.
The work further urged the government to initiate and encourage programme among countries for bilateral relations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Table of contents
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 background of the study
1.2 Historical survey
1.3 Political
1.4 Economic
1.5 Social
1.6 Significant of study
1.7 Statement of the research
1.8 Research questions
1.9 Objective of the study
1.10 Research hypothesis
1.11 Definition of terms
1.12 Assumption
1.13 Limitation of the study
CHAPTER TWO
Literature review
2.1 Sources of literature
2.2 The review
2.3 Summary of literature review
2.4 Theoretical frame work
CHAPTER THREE
Methodology
3.1 Research method
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Research Sample
3.4 Measuring instrument
3.5 Data collection
3.6 Data analysis
3.7 Expected result
CHAPTER FOUR
Data analysis and finding
CHAPTER FIVE
Conclusion
5.1 Summary
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Nigeria is one of the famous and great countries that is surrounded with an extremely large number of problem
This ugly situation had created a bridge in their relationship with other countries. In addition to over the problems of political instability inflation, unemployment, immorality and wide spread corruption, there is still the issue of Nigeria’s unfavorable image both internally and externally.
Therefore, the good moral disposition of any citizen of a country proves the image of that country thus Charles Okigbo (1986) maintains that the image of a nation arises from its actions, utterances position, polices and media coverage.
In discussing Nigeria’s image abroad, the three tiers of government and the entire citizens of the country were borne in mind. To achieve this set of objectives, we should, look at historical survey of what may be considered as Nigeria’s image in the eyes of both the national and international communities
1.2 HISTORICAL SURVEY
The colonial era bought about political domination, economic exploitation, social discrimination and religious indoctrination which gave.
Nigeria the image of a potentially rich, exploitable dependable with an insatiable taste for foreign culture education dress and food then came the days of nationalism, which averted Nigeria’s to the possibilities of political freedom with all its concomitants.
Nationalist movement shocked the imperial authorities who regarded it as impendent and ingratitude that frightened those Nigerians who believed that the nationalist had lost their head. The image projected during the days of the fight from freedom was that people who knew what they wanted are determined to achieve their objectives. This explained why such leaders as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, chief Obafemi Awolow, Mallam amino Kano, Mazi Mbonu Ojike and others were the objects of hero worship t a scale unknown before.
The nationalist struggle which led to attainment of political independence nation placed on the threshold of development.
This was immediately followed by the first republic with all the hopes it inspired.
But was it was characterized by failures and mistakes catalogued by Dennis Osadebay in his book “building the nation”
He accused the country’s leadership of tribal and regional intolerance unwillingness to observe political party discipline.
The flamboyant life – style nurtured and nourished by bribery and corruption and painlessness’. The fist mittary interregnum which initially raised the peoples hope and aspirations was later characterized by tribal and prejudices and bitterness which led to wide scale mass killings and antagonism and ended in painful civic war which nearly tore Nigeria report.
The image created could be summed up as susceptible to the temptations of corruption and graft as the politician.
The image of the country they left behind was one of thrift and chaos, which put in other words simply meaning, “we do not know what we want”.
Speaking on the wrong doing of the former regime, of General Murtala Mohammed who emerged as the leader of the third head said that event of the part, despite our human and material resources was in bad and chaotic shape.
This showed that government has not been able to fulfill the legitimate expectations of the people.
Nigeria had continued to drift it must be cleared to all concerning that the indiscipline in our national life is a symptom of services malaise at all levels of government.
The time has come when we should make it clear that we can decide for ourselves, that we know our interest and how to protect that interest.
This is an excerpts from the policy formulated by a corrective regime. This policy accounted for its popularity. This policy continued to be dutifully implemented by the Obasanjo’s regime following the unfortunate assassination of General murtala Mohammed on 13th February 1976.
The regime which witnessed the cleaning of the public services, the setting up of new goals and effective tackling of many of the drastic problems facing the country created the image of a nation back on the path of sanity and heading in the right direction.
The many charges against the regime included political brigandry, bribery and corruption, and economic mismanagement.
The regime created for the country an unfavorable image.
In an article entitled “the and of an” a columnist in the new swatch of markers of second republic as “law breakers”.
The late Dele Giwa put it more succinctly when writing under the heading “death of innocence” said, that it had brought with the death of follow whip.
Deception had become the new order, stealing is no big deal almost every one had turned to a thief you can hardly have anything done without some one expecting you to bribe him and everyone discusses it openly”
Then followed by the Babanigida’s Administration with it far reaching policies on structural adjustment, mass transportation, rural development, better life programme, privatization and commercialization of government owned companies. On several occasions when he was speaking to different groups, he made the following pertinent remarks.
For too often I have talked in the past, of a new nation while continue to burn, leaving big scars on our image as a people”
At home it encountered industry, promoted merit, cracy and mapped out a clear cut policy of transition to civilian rule which is being implemented faithfully through various organs such as the national electoral commission (NEC). The smooth transition programme which has being dutifully followed came to a hall with the annulment of June 12 presidential election won by chief moshud Abiola amidst this explosive political situation emerged the interim in national government (ING) headed by Enerst Shenekam which was later toppled by the Abacha Junta. It was in the wake of this confusion following the annulment of June 12 presidential election that chief moshood Abiola was arrested and detained by the abacha junta for proclaiming himself president of Nigeria- an offence regarded by general Sani abacha’s military tribunal as “treasonable felony” in his broadcast to the nation on October 1,995, general Sani Abacha announced a new transition time – table which was to terminate on October 1st 1998 with the swearing – in of a new civilian president who will be elected under a mult – party system.
The story still remains the same political instability.
However, the image projected as that despite tremendous odds, economic, political and social, the country is back on the rails and that is a nations, we know where we are going and what is good for us.
There are obvious doubts sceptiasm and trepidation of heart as to what the future hold for the country as it March es on towards the fourth republic .
The question being asked is whether the new breed of politicians will let the country down again, in other words /
“Will we fail yet again” for this reason, it is necessary to recount what will be considered as Nigeria’s image from three major angles, namely: political economic, and social.
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