TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Title page --------------------------------------------------------------------------------i

Certification -----------------------------------------------------------------------------ii

Dedication -------------------------------------------------------------------------------iii

Acknowledgement ----------------------------------------------------------------------iv

Table of contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------vi

Abstract -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------viii

CHAPTER ONE: INITORDUCTION

1.1 Background of the study ---------------------------------------------------------1

1.2 Statement of the problem --------------------------------------------------------3

1.3 Objectives of the study -----------------------------------------------------------5

1.4 Research question -----------------------------------------------------------------5

1.5 Research hypothesis ---------------------------------------------------------------6

1.6 Significance of the study ---------------------------------------------------------6

1.7 Scope of the study ------------------------------------------------------------------7

1.8 Limitation of the study ------------------------------------------------------------7

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Focus of the review ---------------------------------------------------------------8

2.1 An overview of public relations -------------------------------------------------8

2.2 Public relations strategies --------------------------------------------------------12

2.3 Local government administration -----------------------------------------------13

2.4 Public relations and local government administration -----------------------15

2.5 Theoretical framework ------------------------------------------------------------20

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research design --------------------------------------------------------------------24

3.2 Population of the study ------------------------------------------------------------24

3.3 Sample size --------------------------------------------------------------------------24

3.4 Sample technique -------------------------------------------------------------------24

3.5 Instrument for data collection -----------------------------------------------------25

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3.6 Validity and reliability of instrument ---------------------------------------------25

3.7 Techniques for data collection -----------------------------------------------------25

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1 Data presentation --------------------------------------------------------------------27

4.2 Discussion of findings --------------------------------------------------------------40

4.3 Implication of findings -------------------------------------------------------------41

4.4 Answers to research questions ----------------------------------------------------41

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary ------------------------------------------------------------------------------44

5.2 Conclusion ----------------------------------------------------------------------------44

5.3 Recommendations -------------------------------------------------------------------45

References

Appendix

ABSTRACTThis research examines the influence of Public Relation in local governmentadministration in Delta State. The study adopted two theories; they were thecognitive dissonance theory which fundamentally explains the formulation ofopinion and holding of perception on a particular subject; and relationshipmanagement theory which implies that relationship management is about buildingbridges between individuals and between an organization. The main objective of thisresearch study is to determine the role of public relations in changing the negativeperception of the public towards local government administration. The surveyresearch method was used to elicit information from a population of 120respondents. Simple percentages and tables were used to analyze data. From theanalyzed data, it was discovered that public relations have not been effectively usedin changing the perception of the public towards local government administration.Based on the findings, it is recommended that local government administrationsshould create the enabling environment for public relations officers to carry outtheir various activities in changing the public’s negative perception towards theadministration.