ABSTRACT

This research work was on “Effectiveness of public Relations in Eradicating cultism in Higher institution, a study of Akwa Ibom State polytechnic” was guided with these objectives to fine out the strategy employed by Akwa Ibom state polytechnic in eradicating cultism, to ascertain the extent Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic employ public relations in solving problem in the institutions to find the extent public relations can be effective in eradicating cultism in the polytechnic. A total of 7,075 people constituted the population of the study which include students and staffs of Akwa Ibom State polytechnic, while 370 respondents were drawn from the population as sample size through simple random sampling procedure survey design was the methodology adopted. It was found out that public relations is effective in eradicating cultism in Akwa Ibom state polytechnic, and that possible ways is being employed by   the institution to eradicate cultism as a result of higher percentage of the respondents who agreed. However, they further recommended that in the light of the findings that pro-active measurers and regular seminar should always be carried out by Akwa Ibom State polytechnic to sensitize students on the dangers of cultism and that Akwa Ibom State Government and lovers of the institution should assist the institution fully so as to be effective on its anti-cultism campaign.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER TITLE                                                                    PAGES

Title Page              —       —       —       —       —       i

Certification          —       —       —       —       —       ii

Dedication             —       —       —       —       —       iii

Acknowledgment —       —       —       —       —       iv-v

Table of Contents  —       —       —       —       —       vi-xiii

List of Tables         —       —       —       —       —       x-xi

List of Appendices           —       —       —       —        xii

Abstract       —       —       —       —       —       —       xiii

1.0                         INTRODUCTION         –         –         –         –                  

1.1                         Background of the study –         –         –         –         1-2

1.2                         Statement of the problem –         –         –         –         3

1.3                         Objectives of the study    –         –         –         –         4

1.4                         Research questions –         –         –         –         –         4-5

1.5                         Scope of the study –         –         –         –         –         5

1.6                         Significance of the study –         –         –         –         5

1.7                          Limitation of the study    –         –         –         –         6

1.8                          Definition of terms          –         –         –         –         6-7

2.0                         REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE          

2.1                         Meaning/Concept of public relations             –         8

2.2                         History of Public Relation in Nigeria   –         –         9-12

2.3                         Origin of cultism in tertiary institution –         –         12-14

2.4                         Effect of cultism    –         –         –         –         –         14-16

2.5                         Possible solution of cultism       –         –         –         17-18

2.6                         The role of public relation in eradicating Cultism    18-20

2,7                         Public relations strategies in Eradicating Cultism    2-22

2.8                         A brief History of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic     22-23

2.9                         Theoretical framework    –         –         –         –         24

2.9                         Review of study     –         –         –         –         –         25-26

3.0                         RESEARCH METHODOLOGY    

3.1                         Research Design    –         –         –         –         –         27

3.2                         Population of the study    –         –         –         –         28

3.3                         Sample and sampling procedure          –         –         28-29

3.4                         Instrument of data collection     –         –         –         29-30

3.5                         Method of data collection          –         –         –         30

3.6                         Validity and Reliability of instrument  –         –         30

3,7                         Method of data presentation and analysis      –         31

4.0                         DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION     

4.1                         Data presentation and analysis   –         –         –         31-41

4.2                         Discussion of findings     –         –         –         –         41-43

5.0          SUMMARY,        CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS        

5.1                         Summary     –         –         –         –         –         –         44-45

5.2                         Conclusion –         –         –         –         –         –         45

5.3                         Recommendations –         –         –         –         –         45-46

References

Appendix/Appendices

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

According to Seitel, p (2004), public relations is a planned process to influence public opinion, through sound character and proper performance based on mutually, satisfactory two way communication.

According to Dr. Rex Harlow a veteran public Relation practitioner of San Francisco, who examined 427 different definitions of Public Relations  practice and distilled them into the following definition.

He says that “Public Relations is a distinctive management function which helps establish and maintain mutual lines of communication, understanding acceptance and co-operation between. Management of an organization is able to understand and identify the key issue and problems by  keeping intact with the public and respond through certain changes in the business.

Sam Black (2004.4) Introduced public relations as a pre-meditated attempt  to destroying a competitors reputation. The goal of this public relations practice is not to highlight or lie about competitors shortcomings.

Frank (1992), States that public relations consists of all forms of planned communication, outwards and inwards, between an organization an its public for the purpose of achieving specific objectives concerning mutual understanding.

Several public relations practitioners from different countries around the world met in Mexico and come out with what has been regarded as the most modern and acceptable definition of public relations. The Mexican statement (1978), sees, public relations practice as an art and social science of analyzing trend, predicting their consequences, counseling organization leaders and implementing planned programmes of action which will serve both the organization and the publics interest. There is no doubt that public relation is an important element in business, government and  in all aspect of everyday life.

However, it is not clear whether most tertiary in institutions in Nigeria fully understand this fact. Therefore this study is embarked upon to access the effectiveness of public relations in eradicating cultism in higher institution using Akwa Ibom State polytechnic as a reference point.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Cultism an anti-social practice peculiar among a particular group of people, has remained a worrisome phenomenon in most tertiary institutions across the globe. Studies have shown that series of crises often experienced in most high institutions across the states of the federation have always been caused by different cult groups. Inspire of the fact that federal government have promulgated different forms of laws against cultism, illegal behaviours such as rape, vandalism, infliction, of injuries, killing of non-cult members armed robber among other offences often associated in most tertiary institution are still rampart.

In 2010 records have it that three students of Akwa Ibom State polytechnic were killed, following a reprisal attack for the killing of a viral non-cultist inside the examination hall. However between 2010 till date, there has been no serious case of cult related issue in the institution. It is not known what brought the issue to an end. On the other hand it may be assumed that public relations was the instrument used to stem the tide of the problem.  The intention of this project is to investigate whether public Relation was used or is being used to check the incursion and hazards of cultism in the institution.

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. To ascertain the extent Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic employs public relations in problem solving in the institutions.
2. To find out strategy employed by Akwa Ibom State polytechnic in eradicating cultism.
3. To find out the effect of public relation in eradicating cultism in the polytechnic.
4. To find out the extents to which public relations can be effectives in eradicating cultism in the polytechnic.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTION

1. To what extent does Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic employ public Relations in problem solving in the institution?
2. What strategy is being employed by Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic to eradicate cultism?
3. What is the effect of public relations in eradicating cultism on the polytechnic?
4. To what extent can public relation be effective in eradicating cultism in the polytechnic?

1.5     SCOPE OF STUDY      

This work is on Public Relations as an effective means of eradicating cultism in tertiary institution using Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua as a study. It could not go beyond this.

1.6     SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY.

This research will be of no value if it would not contribute immensely or have impact on the society at large, especially in the citadels of learning where this phenomenon is more predominant. The management of tertiary institution within and outside AKwa Ibom  State  will discover this research  useful as it will present then with factual and practical steps need in eradicating cultism in their respective school.  Also student of other tertiary institutions will benefit and gain adequate knowledge from the study as it will expose them to the dangers of cultism./ the result of this study will add to literature and contribute to the discipline of Mass communication.

1.7     LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Several challenges came up during the cause of carrying out this study. The most important challenges were lack of access to enough materials to fast tract the study. This was however, not insurmountable as more efforts were put in gathering relevant materials.

1.8     DEFINITION OF TERMS

Some term used in the studies are defined thus:

• Cultism: This refers to anti-social practice popular among a particular people especially students of higher institutions.
• Eradicating: This refers to the process of removing or destroying something completely. Within the context of this study, it refers to the stamping out of cultism completely, form the institution, such as Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic.
• Public: this has to do with the entire people as a whole. In this study the practice of anti-organization can effect the whole people of state, nation, community or in higher institution such as Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic.
• Public relations: this is a deliberate planned and sustained effort to create and maintained mutual relationship and understanding between organization and its public, in this study the practice of anti-organization such as Akwa Ibom State polytechnic helps in creating and maintaining mutual relationship and understanding between the students or the publics:
• Relations: This is the way in which two or more people or group feel about and behave toward each other. In this case the way in which the management of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua feels about and behave toward their publics or the students.