Universities
in Nigeria
are among the tertiary institutions of learning charged with the responsibility
of training individuals to become professionals indifferent field for them to
earn their first degree, second degree as well as PhD.
Universities or any tertiary institution of
their likes have three categories of staff, which are the principal officers or
hither-to referred to as management staff, the academic staff and the
non-academic staff.
Peaceful
co-existence of these categories of staff is of paramount importance to the
achievement of the objectives for which the university was established. That
is, the interpersonal relationship between these categories of staff must be
positive and cordial.
Research
study reveals that, the impact of public relations in the university or any
higher institution of learning cannot be over emphasized because it contributes
greatly to the achievement of the positive interpersonal relationship between
the management and the staff.
Public
relations according to the British Institute of Public Relations are “a
deliberate planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain mutual
understanding between an organization and its publics”.
Osuji Chuks (1999), contends
that:
“public
relations is the process of creating favourable public opinion for an
individual, firm, institution, organization and even for an intangible thing
such as name so that any person who has something
to do with that tangible or intangible thing, may perceive it in a good way”.
Dany
Moss (2002), defines public relations as
“reputation management that is enhancing reputation, reinforcing reputation and
combating damages done to reputation”.
Public
relations is
all about building good image and good will for one’s self or for his
organization.
From
the above definitions of public relations, one can see the place of public
relations in terms of maintaining mutual interpersonal understanding between
the management and staff of the university.
For
the purpose of this study a university is an organization where academic and
non-academic staff are grouped together to form the publics or internal publics
to be specific.
Public
relation is the arbitrator to establish and maintain mutual interpersonal
understanding between the organization and its external and internal publics.
The
purpose of the study is to prove whether or not the establishment of public
relations units or departments as the case may be has meaningfully contributed
to the mutual interpersonal relationship existing among the various categories
of staff of the University
of Ilorin
1.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN
South.
The University of Ilorin is located in the ancient city of
Ilorin, about 500 kilometres from Abuja, the Federal capital. Ilorin, the
Capital of Kwara State,
is strategically located at the geographical and cultural confluence of the
North and South.
University
of Ilorin was one of the seven institutions of higher learning established by a
decree of the Federal Military Government in August, 1975. This step, taken to
implement one of the educational directives of the country’s Third National
Development Plan, was aimed at providing more opportunities for Nigerians
aspiring to acquire university education and to generate high level man-power,
so vital for the rapidly expanding economy.
The
then University College of Ilorin was initially affiliated to the University of Ibadan. Dr. T.N. Tamuno, Professor and
Head of History Department at the University of Ibadan,
was appointed the first Principal of the College in September, 1975. Shortly
after Professor Tamuno’s appointment as Principal of the College, he was
appointed the Vice-Chancellor of the University
of Ibadan. It therefore,
became necessary to appoint another Principal in the person of Professor O.O.
Akinkugbe, former Dean of the then Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan, in December,
1975.
The
then new Principal, Professor O.O. Akinkugbe, made several visits to the second
Military Governor of Kwara State, the late Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo in connection
with the new institution, such that by March 1976, he had established residence
at Ilorin. The
support given to the fledgling Institution by Governor Taiwo continued even
more vigorously under the third Military Governor of the State, Brigadier
George A. Innih, who ceded a portion of the temporary site of the Kwara State
College of Technology to the University. The site, up till now, serves as the
mini campus of the University.
Academic/Physical-Development
Following an entrance examination,
200 foundation students were admitted into residence on Saturday, October 23rd,
1976, and academic activities commenced on Monday, October 25th , 1976, after
the Principal’s maiden address at about 10.00am in the Africa Hall. The University College had three foundation Faculties
namely: Arts, Science and Education. The Institution began to develop its
programmes in a way that not less than 60% of its effort was directed towards
science-oriented programmes.
In
October 1977, the Institution attained full autonomous status and has since
then developed by leaps and bounds. The student population of 200 in 1976 has
increased to 20,084 by the 2005/2006 session, while the total staff strength of
the university stood at approximately 3,040 as at March 1, 2007. Up till
January 1982, the university carried out its academic programmes, involving the
Faculties of Arts, Science, Education, Engineering & Technology, Business
and Social Sciences, and the Pre-Clinical aspect of the Health Sciences on the
Mini-Campus. The completion of the Faculty blocks for Natural Sciences and
Engineering as well as 8 blocks of student hotels by December 1981, made it
possible, on the 2nd of January 1982, for the actual movement of over 1,000
science-oriented students to the Main-Campus to pursue their various academic
programmes. The law degree programme was
initially established in 1983/84 session as a department in the Faculty of
Business and Social Sciences. Though cancelled in 1986/87, it was resuscitated
in 1993/94 as a full fledged Faculty.
The
Main Campus currently houses the Faculties of Science, Engineering &
Technology, Agriculture, Education, Law, Arts, Business and Social Sciences,
(following the completion of the new seven-storey Senate Complex), the Unilorin
Sugar Research Institute, Postgraduate School, the Main University Library,
Computer Services and Information Technology (COMSIT), Works Yard, Conference
Centre, Unilorin Resources Development and Management Board (URDMB),
Student Canteens, the newly completed 2,000 seat multipurpose Auditorium and
the Alumni/ Endowment Office. The Mini-Campus presently houses the College of Health Sciences,
a mini Library, Canteens and Shopping Complex, the Institute of Education,
some of the Revenue-yielding projects which are under the URDMB such as the
Unilorin Computer Centre (Training Wing), Unilorin Bookshop, the Bakery, the
Printing Press, and the Guest Houses. Each Campus has a Health Centre, a Post
Office and Banking facilities.
Aside
from two lecture theatres commissioned in 1997, there is an upsurge, from 2002
to date, in the physical development of the Main Campus. Five new Hostels were
completed in 2002. Other projects were the Faculty of Education blocks and
Lecture theatre; Lecture rooms, Offices and Lecture Theatre for the Faculty of
Business and Social Sciences; Faculty of Science Chemistry block; Department of
Agricultural Engineering block; offices for the Department of Human Kinetics
and Health Education; COMSIT building (PhaseI)among others.
A
water Dam and Treatment Plant to provide uninterrupted water supply to the main
campus has just been completed. The University will soon construct a rail-line
to boost transportation between the University Main Campus and the township.
Apart
from the renovation of buildings, a systematic upgrading of teaching and
research facilities is being undertaken by the University within its lean resources.
This includes provision of computers, laboratory equipment, etc.
Growth of Faculties
From
three faculties in 1976, today there are ten faculties: Arts (1976), Science
(1976) Education (1976), Engineering & Technology (1978), Business &
Social Sciences (1981), Agriculture (1982), Law (1993, after an initial
start-up in 1983), Basic Medical Sciences (2004), Clinical Sciences (2004) and
Communication and Information Sciences(2008).
Altogether,
there are 60 academic departments in the existing ten faculties. Undergraduate
degree programmes run for 3,4,5, or 6 years, depending on entry qualifications
and discipline. The University started with the traditional British “Three Term
System” but later changed into a modified form of the American “Two Semester System”
called Harmattan and Rain semesters with effect from 1979/80 session.
Each
semester comprises one half of an academic year as determined by Senate. Also
instruction in the various Faculties with the exception of the Health Sciences
is by the course system. These courses are quantified into credits. The
University has teaching support units which include the Computer Centre,
Central Workshop and Stores, Biological
Garden, Community Based
Experience and Services (COBES), Medical Educational Resources Unit, General
Studies (Use of English/National Awareness) Division, and Teaching &
Research Farm.
There
are also the Public Units which are the University
School, the University Secondary School, Institute of Education
and Educational Technology Centre. Although an academic unit, the Library is
actively involved in rendering service to the university and the public. In
addition, there is a Sugar Research Institute which is mainly a research unit
served by academic mainly from Science and Agriculture Faculties.
Public relations in Nigeria have
come a long way. Just as the development of public relations practice was
linked with world wars I and II in the USA,
its beginning in Nigeria
has also been linked with World War II.
As
presented by NIPR’s (1988) anniversary publication “25 years of Public
Relations in Nigeria”, the
colonial government before World War II was concerned with collection of taxes
and the running of a police force to maintain law and order in three
protectorates amalgamated into Nigeria
in 1914. If there was any public relations practice before the Second World
War, it was merely maintenance of relationship with the traditional rulers to
get in touch with the people. During the Second World War, however, the need
arose for the colonial government to set up an information office which was
later known as the public relations office of the government.
Sam
Black (1990) has described June 1, 1990 as a memorable day for the public
relations Profession in Nigeria.
This is because on that day, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
signed Decree No. 16 “Nigerian Institute
of Public Relations Practitioners
1990”. The then NIPR President also described the event as the “Finest hour of
public relations”. He stated that, by this recognition all members of the
Institute deserve to be congratulated on being part of the movement that has
made Professionalism and excellence the hallmark of the Institute.
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Public
relations have a cardinal objective of establishing and sustaining mutual
understanding among the management and its various publics.
The
underlying belief and basic concepts of public relations is that every
organization, has an environment or a climate in which it is operating. This
climate or environment, public relations also believe, should be conducive and
peaceful to ensure continued and happy survival of that organization and the
consistent achievement of its objectives. This translates to harmony between an
organization and its publics.
This
is why all definitions of Public Relations which are the notions, ideas and
thoughts of what Public Relations are, from the point of view of its pioneers,
have always centered on some constituents of the Public spirit, that is,
opinion goodwill, acceptability, cooperation, understanding and others. All
these are attributes of the public spirit which guarantee a good working and
operational environment for any corporate body.
The
problem statement is how the public relations function in University of Ilorin
intends to actualize its Professionalism to achieve the good interpersonal
relationship among the management and the staff. In other words, what are the
contents of its armory in the achievement of its basic aims?
Public
relations unit of the University will have to articulate management behaviour
or mode of relationship between the management and the staff.
Public
relations will communicate using all communication media. Public relations have
to liaise with and be sensitive to the yarning and aspirations of the staff and
act positively to satisfy them.
Having
discussed what public relations is out to achieve within an organizational set
up like University
of Ilorin, I will like to
discuss what an organization is.
An
organization is a stable system of individuals who work together to achieve,
through hierarchy of ranks and division of labour, common goals.
This
buttresses the fact that an organization consists of people that interact with
one another on regular basis for a productive venture.
For
an organization to be vibrant and be in good terms with its employees, there is
need for a good communication strategy and these are not always available at
all times. This should not be so; therefore, the college has to do more
publicity to enable its staff members to enjoy its good will and confidence.
With
the existence of public relations experts in the college, the research is
poised to critically evaluate its (public relations) activities in connection
with the relationship existing between the management and workers in the
University.
How
has public relations unit tried to mediate between the two bodies as expected?
Or does it only disseminate information?
How
does information reach the members of staff who required such information?
Do
employees have the opportunity to talk back to the management inform feedback?
How
can one explain the incessant breakdown of communication within the campus?
This
is what the study will like to research into in order to contribute to
educational development and bring to light the significance of public relations
in non-commercial organizations like a higher institution of learning.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The
study is aimed at providing answers to the following questions:
i.
Do public relations activities
adequately enhance employees’ communication in University of Ilorin?
ii.
Would employees of the University be
better informed about the institutions policies, goals and programmes if there
are no public relations in the University?
iii.
Do public relations efforts enhance
employee’s productivity at the University?
iv.
To what extent are the public
relations practitioners involved in the prevention of industrial unrest such as
strike actions, ensuring harmony and better working conditions?
v.
How have the services of public
relations promoted the image of the institution within and outside the
institution?
vi.
Is the positive interpersonal
relationship enjoyed in the university presently among the management and staff
as a result of public relations unit’s efforts?
1.5 AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
It
is erroneously believed in some quarters that public relations are only
relevant in commercial organizations because it is aimed at improving the level
of profit of the organization in the long run.
But
this study’s aim and objective is to prove whether or not public relations is
equally relevant in a non-commercial organizations where profit-making means
nothing to their survival but rather peaceful governance for governments, achievement
of the welfare of the people through the propaganda of an idea for voluntary
organizations e.g. UNICEF, planned parenthood and others.
The
result of the study is aimed at adding to the body of knowledge in the field of
public relations.
It
will also serve as a reference source and provide a research base for further
researches in this area of public relations practice in higher institutions of
learning and other related disciplines.
I
also have the aim of making the study an educating and interesting project for
reading by all and sundry especially the public relations students and
practitioners.
The
study is also aimed at meeting part of the requirement for the award of post
graduate Diploma of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The
study will cover a section of the university internal publics, which are the
employees. These employees consist of the academic and non-academic staff.
The
study will also focus a little attention on efforts of the principal officers
commonly referred to in academic circle as management staff with regards to
assisting the public relations department to achieve its set objectives i.e.
improving the interpersonal relationship between the management and staff.
The
scope of the study will be between the management and staff of University of
Ilorin.
1.7 CLARIFICATION OF TERMS USED
This
study has tried as much as possible to use familiar and common terms which
people are mostly accustomed to.
However,
I shall try to simplify some of the key terms that were mostly mentioned times
without number.
Organization:
as used in the study referred to the University
of Ilorin and as well
called corporate body a times.
Internal
publics: are used to mean the employees, that is, staff or
workers.
Academic
staff: are those workers in the college that have their
primary functions as teaching the students while non-academic staff referrs to
workers in the administrative and technical offices.
EDITOR SOURCE: The Impact Of
Public Relations On The Interpersonal Relationship Of The Management And Staff
(The University Of Ilorin As A Case Study)
