Assessing the Influence of Public Relations Activities in the Management of Amnesty Programme in the South-South Region of Nigeria
This study investigates the influence of public relations (PR) activities in the management of the Amnesty Programme in the South-South region of Nigeria. Amidst longstanding militancy and oil-related conflicts, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) was designed to address insecurity, promote peace, and foster rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-militants. However, the success and sustainability of this initiative heavily rely on strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and public perception—all of which fall within the domain of public relations. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study examines the extent to which PR strategies such as community engagement, media relations, conflict resolution communication, and image management contribute to the overall effectiveness of the programme. A structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were administered among programme beneficiaries, government officials, and PR practitioners operating within the region. Findings reveal that while PR activities significantly enhance transparency, trust-building, and reintegration outcomes, challenges such as misinformation, poor feedback mechanisms, and limited community involvement persist. The study underscores the need for more inclusive, culturally sensitive, and two-way symmetrical communication models in the management of reintegration and peacebuilding initiatives. It recommends a restructured PR strategy that prioritizes grassroots engagement and continuous dialogue between stakeholders.
Keywords
Rights
I have copyright
John Elliot Ide
@idesj4truth
Contributors
Chimeze Michael Ukonu
Department of Film and Multimedia Studies, Imo State University, Owerri
Volume 1, Issue 1
Year 2025

