INFLUENCE OF RELIGION AND ETHNICITY ON SOCIAL COHESION IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi religion and culturally diverse society that witnessed conflicts arising from the ethnic, religion and cultural diversity. This paper expounds such conceptual issues as ethnicity, religion and national integration and then presents the historical background to ethnic and cultural conflicts in Nigeria.It is argued that national integration in the Nigerian context has been an attempt to forge “Unity in diversity”. Seeking to wish away Socio-Cultural differences and imposing uniformity in spite of complex cultural diversity.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Title page = = = = = = = = = = i
Dedication = = = = = = = = = = ii
Declaration = = = = = = = = = iii
Acknowledgement = = = = = = = = iv
Abstract = = = = = = = = = = v
Table of Content = = = = = = = = = vi
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction = = = = = = = = 1
1.1 Statement of Problem = = = = = = = 2
1.2 Objectives of the Study = = = = = = = 3
1.3 Significance of the Study = = = = = = 4
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Relationship between Religion and Ethnicity = = = 10
2.2 Background to Ethno –Religious Conflicts in Nigeria= = 12
2.3 Religion and Social Harmony in Nigeria = = = = 14
2.4 Statement of Hypothesis = = = = = = 16
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1Research Design========17
3.2 Sources of Data Collection = = = = = = 17
3.3 Population and Sample Size = = = = = = 18
3.4 Procedure = = = = = = = = = 18
3.5 Method of Data Analysis======18
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Discussion = = = = = = = = = 21
5.2 Limitation of Study=======21
5.3 Conclusion = = = = = = = = = 22
Reference
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The crises of national integration in Nigeria are very severing such that the Nigerian Federation is at its collapsing point. The heterogeneous nature of the country combines with the improper mode of the country’s formation gave rise to antagonistic and integrative process.
Nigeria as a country came into corporate existence in 1914; as a result of the fashion between the northern and southern protectorates by the British national integration is the ultimate goals to be achieved in a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria for there to be a reasonable development.
According to Chime, (1971.50), national integration is a process of cohesion between two or more social units, whereby these units come together to constitute a political whole which include among other things the joining of various parts of society into a function whole, the growth of obedience and loyalty to its parts and the emergences of shared national values. It follows, that Nigeria would have receive national unity where obedience and loyalties to the Nigerian state, transcend loyalties to its parts. Thus conceptualization implies social equality of citizens.
Federation is a system of government adopted to enhance national integration in Nigeria. It’s also a form of government that defines the relationship between component parts assumed to have the potential. For integration diverse cultural society. The religion conflict etc. which culminate in the rises of national integration that reached climax during the period of the attempted succession and civil war.
1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Nigeria is essential a plural society, its component groups are separated apart from each other by significant differences of language, ethnicity, and cultures of Nigerian created differences in attitude, outlook and character.
Faced with the problems, Nigeria adopted federalism as a means of achieving its much goal of national integration. In essence the Federalism so adopted is expected to reduce the immensely aggressive inter ethnic competition and tension, all the usually alleged fear of domination, bringing government nearer to the people and give the different groups more opportunities, thereby integrating the country.
Federation requires decentralization of power among the component units. It also requires that no component unit should be as large size as to eliminate other the case of Nigeria shows that power is concentrated in the central government. On the other parts, there exist structural imbalance between the northern, the east and west of Nigeria. This situation therefore by majority, political power is proportionately in favour of the north above other religions. The issues revenue allocated in Nigeria is not without its own problems. As if all these problems are not enough for Nigeria Federalism, the issue of on shore off shore dichotomy and equally the alarm raised about the marginalization from all religion in Nigeria are by setting the unity of the country.
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The research is set out among other things
1. To find out the relationship between revenue allocationand National integration in Nigeria.
2. To discover if the operation of true federalism in Nigeria could help in tackling the problems.
3. To require into the impact of religious and ethnic loyalties and National integration in Nigeria
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It has become obvious that Nigeria cannot make any meaningful progress in the absence of unity. Some founding fathers of Nigeria adopted federalism as a pragmatic instrument for the achievement of the goal of National unity. The rationale was to see if there could be ways of bringing diverse ethnic groups into a modern nation. However, amidst all the efforts, the goals of National integration are not yet possible owing to the numerous problems inherent in Nigeria federalism.
It is therefore the task of this work to contribute in no little measure to the solution of the problem of national integration. Apart from this the work will equally add to the volumes of research materials available for further work on federalism and national integration in Nigeria.
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