Abstract

The global desire for environmental safety is fundamental because humans are environmentally-dependent and over the years, they have ‘browbeaten’ the environment traditionally and industrially for their gains, leaving behind horrible scenarios of environmental degradation ranging from pollutions, global warming to flooding, among others. Due to these devastating impacts, there is need for the citizenry and social institutions to be environmentally conscious. Conceivably, one effective way of creating the desired environmental consciousness is through appropriate environmental communication approaches. If adequate environmental security is to be guaranteed, the ecosystem must be safeguarded with people or organisations persuaded to accept ideas by way of taking actions for a conducive environment for sustainable development. Environmental Public Relations, EPR focuses on identifying and evaluating dangerous problems associated with ecosystem and can foster environmental security. It is based on this position that this study evaluates the EPR strategies of the Benue State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources in fostering environmental security. Results show that the studied Benue State Government ministry adopts EPR strategies on an average scale hence their contribution in facilitating environmental safety is inconsiderable. According to findings, this is due to challenges encountered in the ministry’s effectual deployment of EPR strategies for the safety of the environment hence use of EPR strategies in tackling the challenges is recommended, accordingly.

Key Words: Environment, Public Relations, Strategies, Environmental Public Relations Strategies, Environmental Security

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 14, No. 1, April 2022, pp. 91-98

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

About the authors

*       Maria Agbenu Onyilo, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

**     Friday Adakole Elijah, Ph.D., is the Head, Corporate Communications, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc. Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

***   Abraham Ekpo Habu is the Information and Protocol Officer, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Article Citation

Onyilo, M.A., Elijah, F.A., & Habu, A.E. (2022). Environmental public relations and security: A study of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Benue State, Nigeria. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 14 (1): 91 – 98.

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