Communication and the Environment: Nigeria's Image and Reputation Communication for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Currently, nations globally are very worried about sustainable development. As a
result, three major gatherings were held for international dialogue and co– operation. The first was the Rio Earth Summit on Environmental Degradation in 1992. A decade later, in August and September 2002, Johannesburg, South Africa hosted the world summit on sustainable development. Then, we had the 2006 event in Saudi Arabia. However, the inter–relationship between nations of the world on the concept of development has not been smooth, considering some nations' image and reputation problems. In Nigeria, internal and external diplomatic relations have dwindled since 1970. The nation's image is poor and her reputation low. Economic development has been slow or retarded. Yet, Nigeria finds herself amongst other nations grappling with the tenets of sustainable development. This work introduces Nigeria's image and reputation problems both domestically and internationally and defines key concepts in the study. It also discusses the domestic and foreign
conceptions, perceptions and communication of Nigeria's image and reputation. It further observes the implication of the nation's battered image and reputation communication with regard to sustainable development. The essay then advocates a theoretical formula for Nigeria and suggests alternatives for more result–oriented developments based on fresh image and reputation management. Finally, some recommendations are suggested and a conclusion drawn.

LWATI: A Journal of Contemporary Research Vol. 5 2008: pp. 442-456