Abstract: This study evaluated the potentials of kola-nut sharing in community relations management by fostering unity, stimulating integration and inspiring friendship within communities in South East, Nigeria. It adopted the descriptive survey research design, with a sample size of 333 respondents drawn from a total population of 2000 traditional rulers or Chiefs, (Ndi-Eze or Igwes) of recognized autonomous communities in the five states in the South East, Nigeria. Results from the study evidently show that offering of kola-nut at local community ceremonies/events goes beyond serving as mere objects of reception or hospitality to guests in the South East Igbo speaking area of Nigeria. Findings from the study clearly show that kola-nuts serve as strategic public relations tool for fostering unity, stimulating integration, and inspiring friendship among people of various communities in the South East region of Nigeria. Against that backdrop, it is the position of the paper that, in view of the potency of traditional kola-nuts in building blocks for harmonious community relations and mutual co-existence, it should be accorded higher recognition and application as strong traditional public relations tool. The paper concludes that being a traditionally-rooted communication artifact that holds a lot of benefits in building community relations, community crisis and conflict management, kola-nut has the potency of being a community development tool as healer and unifier of some sorts not only in the South East region but other parts of Nigeria, and indeed African nations that share similar cultural ties.

Kola-nut; Public Relations; Community Relations; Fostering Unity; Social Integration; Inspiring Friendship; Community Development; South East Nigeria.