INFLUENCE OF PUBLIC RELATION ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAM IN OWEREI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IMO STATE

ABSTRACT The study examined the Influence of Public Relation on the acceptance of Government Program in Owerri North Local Government Area in Imo State. Therefore, public relations has remained a powerful tool in building and maintaining good image in local government. The study was anchored on Four-step process of Public Relations, they race formula A survey research method was used coupled with questionnaire as a data collection instrument that was administered to respondents. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage method). Findings showed that Owerri North Local Government administrators recognized the importance of the Public Relations department while, the major impact of public relations in Owerri North Local Government is that it enhanced mutual understanding, it bridged the communication gap and it enlightened the public on government programmes and policies. The research recommended that it is important for public relations officers to be a membej* of the management as earlier stated in the course of this research work, because public relations serve in an advisory capacity to the management and you can only advise people on what you know or take part in, so it is very important for a manager to be part of the decision making body (management).