ABSTRACT
This study investigated the role of public relations in the operations of Nigeria Navy. The study adopted the social responsibility theory of mass communication. Using the interview research methodology, the study elicits information from key Navy officers. Nigeria Navy public relations officers, in the course of representing the interest of the organization, also ensure that they earn the trust and confidence of the public. it is certain that Nigeria Navy public relations officers play vital role in ensuring mutual relationship between the force and the governed, despite the huge challenges they faced. Improve the lab performance of Nigeria Navy public relations officers adequate funds used to be provided to meet up with the public relations department budget. Considering the enormous role of public relations there is the used for adequate number of staff to be provided for the department successful operation. Public relations officers used to be assessed from time to time in order to ascertain their functionality.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study
Ogunsanya (1991:17) “public relations is a scientific management function which involves the creation, building and maintenances of mutual understanding and respect between an organization or government and its publics, based on truth, using and effective two-way communication process within the framework of a credible strategic management agenda with a view to improving the performance of corporate institution or government and enhancing the social and economic development of a society”
Public relations is concerned with creating good image. The international Public Relation Association in Hague, in May 1960 defined Public relations as “a management function, of a continuing and planned character through which public and private organization and institutions seek to win and retain the understanding sympathy and support of those with whom they are or may be concerned by evaluating public opinion about themselves, in order to correlate, as for as possible their own policies and procedures, to achieve by planned and widespread information more productive cooperation and more efficient fulfillment of their common interest.
Every organization is established to serve a purpose to the publics. The very way the public perceive the organization is the very way the organization will be patronized by the public. Management of organizations keeps their publics so close through public relations.
Olalekan (2003:40) “Publics generally signify the different groups of people, associations and organizations that can be influenced by or affected in one way or the other by the existence and activities of another organization and vice versa. The effects on them can be good and desirable or bad, offensive and unwanted. They are the forces to reckon with in the assessment of its corporate image too”
The Nigeria navy (NV) is a branch of the Nigerian Army force. It owns its origin to the Nigeria marine. Formed in 1914 after the amalgamation of the then Northern and southern protectorates of Nigeria Marine (as it became known after 1914) was a quasi-military organization its origin lay with the Lagos Marine, a unit established in 1887 by the British. colonial Government. This force expanded to become the southern Nigeria marine in 1893. A Northern Nigeria equivalent was formed in 1990. The two marines were merged in 1914, after Nigeria came under a single colonial administration. The responsibilities of the marine included administration of the ports and harbours, dredging of channels, buoyage and highlighting it also operated ferry services, touring launches and other small craft that led the various creeks and other inland waterways. The Royal Navy provided the necessary military comment as part of its overall defense of the British empire. Through it performed mostly coast guard functions, the Nigeria Marine saw action in the first World War as part of the British military offensive against Germany held Cameroon. This organization remained the only maritime outfit in Nigeria until 1955, when the British colonial authorities carried out a major reorganization of Nigeria’s maritime administration in order to improve efficiency. This reorganization led to the establishment of three new bodies to undertake the various function hitherto carried out by the marine Department.
The first of these new organizations was charged with the running of ports and ensuring safe navigation. The second organization was the inland waterways Department, which took over, the running of ferries and touring launches. The third organization was the Nigeria Navy force made up mostly of reserve Royer Navy office and ex-service personnel who had been transferred to the Nigerian ports Authority from the defunct Nigerian marine. These officer and men had never liked the transfer and pressed the colonial authorities to re-constitute them as the nucleus of a future Nigeria Navy under pressure from them, the Nigeria Navy force was established on 1st June 1956 its primary responsibility was to train the personnel and set up the appropriate information necessary for the planned Navy. The first basic training establishment for the fortune Navy- the HNNS QUORRA was started on 1st November 1957 with 60 Junior ratings, who underwent a 6 months basic seamanship course.
In June 1959, the Nigeria Navy force was, transformed into a full- fledge Navy when Queen Elizabeth granted persuasion for the force to use the title Royal Nigeria became a republic. The constitutional task of the Navy was expanded to 1964 after the repeal of the 1958 ordinance. The new law, known as the Navy. Act of 1964, for the first time tasked the Navy with the ‘naval defense Nigeria” Other tasks assigned the Navy by the 1964 Act were essentially coast guard duties, namely: assisting in enforcement of custom laws making hydrographic surveys and draining officers and men in naval duties.
These tasks were essentially routine functions of any Navy consequently, the naval leadership begin to mount pressure on the political leadership to re-define the constitutional role of the Navy. In 1993, this pressure yielded the desired result and under a new law, Armed force Decree. 105 (now known as the Armed force Act), was incorporated as part of the 1999 constitution. The Navy was given expanded military and constabulary roles, especially in the Oil and Gas sectors of the Nigeria maritime.
The chief of Naval staff is the highest ranked military officer of the Nigeria Navy. The CNV have seven staff branches which are policy and plans, Training and operation, Administration, Naval Engineering, Logistics, Account and budget and standards and Evaluation. This present chief of Navy staff in vice Admiral Ibok- Ete Ekwe Ibas.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The success of any organization depend on the imgae it carries in the eyes of the publics, properly the host community. The relationship should transcent into good image. The same is applicable to arm forces. The gully between the civilians and forces is not cordial as each parties has view each other as cat and mouse. Thereby, having difficulty in relating with each others. The civilians have accused the Nigeria Navy of using force in implementing some laws of the government without considering the sympathy of the hopeless civilians. Therefore, believing that, the Navy is not a friend of the common man in the society. However, the Nigeria Navy accused the civilian of faulting the constitution.
The research work will investigate the role of public relations in building formidable relationship with the people and the Nigeria Navy.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
This study has the followings as objectives.
- Determine public’s perceptions of the organization in rending social responsibility services.
- Find out if Nigeria Navy public relations unit has strategies .
- Discover the tools Nigeria Navy adopted I public relations.
- To find out how effective are the tools of public relations of Nigeria Navy.
- To ascertain the channels used by public relations of unit in the operations Nigeria Navy.
1.4 Research Questions
- What is the role of public relation in the operations of Nigeria Navy Oghara logistic base?
- What are the public relations strategies adopted by the public relations unit of Nigeria Navy Oghara logistic base?
- What are the public relations tools adopted by? Nigeria Navy Oghara logistic base?
- How effective were public relations tools and strategies adopted by Nigeria Navy Oghara logistic base?
- What are the channels used in public relations in the operations of Nigeria Navy Oghara logistic base?
- The theoretical framework is Social responsibility
1.5 Significance of the Study
The exploration of the research on host communities of Nigeria Navy in Ethiope West Local Government Area and the role of public relations played in enhancing image and efficiency of Nigeria Navy is for a corporate image making and smooth operations in terms of cordial relationship with the publics. This research project will also enable local populace to have more knowledge about public relations activities without apathy. Furthermore, it will enable the students of mass communication and those wishing to conduct research on this sphere to understand the role public relations in Nigeria Navy operations.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study is limited to the activities of the public relations of Nigeria Navy in maintaining good corporate image in Nigerian and the scope covers the public relations unit of Nigeria Navy.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Public Relation: This is the function of management of any corporate organization to establish mutual relationship between the organization and its publics.
Management: It refers to the policy making body of an organization.
Public: This is the people who have relationship with an organization.
Public Relation Strategy: this is a tactics adopt by an organization to project its public relation operations.
Channels of Communication: This is the means of communication adopt for effective relationship.
Public Relation Tool: This is the activities used by public relation officer to foster public relation engagement.
