ROLE OF PUBLIC RELATION

IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT IN TERTIARY INSTITUTION

IN OGUN STATE

ABSTRACT
This study aimed to evaluate the role of public relation officer in crisis management in tertiary
institution in Ogun State. The objectives of the study are to investigate types of crises those are
common among the students, determine the roles of public relation in student’s crises
management, public relation method and tools used in solving the crisis and to examine
effectiveness of public relation in solving student’s crises in federal polytechnic Ilaro.
Quantitative research design was adopted for the study, 90 questionnaires were administered,
and 80 were received representing 89 percent retrieval. The data was analyzed using statistical
package for social sciences (SPSS) software and the results were used to satisfy the objectives of
this research. Base on the finding, the study concludes that inadequate supply of water, increase
in transportation fee, non–provision of electricity and dressing code are the most common types
of students’ crisis. Creating awareness among students, easing flow of communication within the
campus and creation of mutual understanding and interest of the students are the most common
roles of Public Relation in student’s crisis management. Holding of congress meeting by the
S.U.G, passing the right information from the authorities to the students, and acting as the
mouthpieces of the students by the Public Relation Officer are the most common method and
tools used in solving students’ crisis. And it was concluded that effect of Public Relation in
solving student’s Crisis include regular listening to complaint by Directorate of Students Affairs
(DSA), acting promptly on the issues complained by the DSA and prevention of crisis among
students. The study therefore recommends that school management should ensure adequate
provision of water and electricity in the campus, transportation fee should be regularized and
students should also comply with the school dressing code. Public Relation Officers should be
and trained with skills on how to communicate information among student and students should
avoid sharing information from unreliable or anonymous source which can cause conflict among
students. Public Relation officers should ensure prompt meeting with the students’ stakeholders
and management. And also, Public Relation Officers should communicate to students the right
channel to make complaint and also educate the students on the function of Directorate of
Students Affairs.

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