Abstract
This
research work was conducted to examine the psychological
effects of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria. The survey
research design was used in carrying out the study since it required the
collection of data from a large number of respondents within the limited time
scheduled for the completion of the project. Relevant research questions and
hypotheses were answered and tested respectively to show the findings of the
study. A
questionnaire was designed by the researcher and validated by the supervisor
which was administered to the respondents for the generation of data. However,
a total number of 100 respondents comprising 86 male and 14 female were
selected through simple random sampling method to generate the sample size. The
sample size was considered adequate and representative because, all the
respondents were people of the same profession and had similar orientation,
though they were drawn from different schools. The analysis
of the data collected from respondents was carried out with the use of
percentage and frequency distribution tables, while the hypotheses earlier stated
in the study were tested with the chi-square (X2) statistical tool
to establish their correctness or otherwise. The findings made from the study
revealed that: Poverty level is a cause of inter ethnic conflicts on
social health workers in Nigeria., Bad leadership is a cause of inter ethnic
conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria., Self control of resources is a
cause of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria., High level of illiteracy is cause of inter ethnic
conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria., Level of unemployment is a
cause of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Chapter One
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study
1.2 Statement
of Problems
1.3 Purpose
of the Study
1.4 Research
Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance
of the Study
1.7 Scope
and Limitation of the Study
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 An
Overview of Inter Ethnicity
2.2 Ethno-religious
clashes
2.3 Review of
Related Literatures On Religious
Ethnic Crises
2.4 Review Of
Cases Of Religious
Crises In Different Parts Of
Nigeria
2.5 Causes of Ethno-Religious Conflicts in
Nigeria: A Review
2.6 Class,
gender and youth
2.7 Causes
of Ethnic Conflict
2.8 Economic
Migration and Urban Ethnic Religious Conflict:
2.8.1 Economic
Pull versus Social Push
2.8.2 The
Issues and The Challenges of Inter Ethnicity
2.9 Summary
of the Review
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research
Design
3.2 Population
of the Study
3.3 Sampling
Size and Procedure
3.4 Research
Instrument
3.5 Validity
and Reliability of Research Instrument
3.6 Scope
of the Study
3.7 Data
Collection
3.8 Data
Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2
PRESENTATION
OF ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.3
Summary Of Findings
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, DISCUSSION OF FINDINDS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 SUMMARY
5.2 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS
5.3 COONCLUSION
5.4 RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCE
QUESTIONNAIRE
Chapter One
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Nigeria is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multicultural society
with enormous potential for economic, social, and democratic development. However,
intense conflicts and violence that manifested within it even from its earliest
time under the colonial rule have made development and progress elude the
country. Nigeria is usually characterized as a deeply divided state in which
major political issues are vigorously contested along the lines of complex
ethnic, religious, and regional divisions. The causes of these conflicts may
not be unconnected with the way and manner religion is portrayed to its
adherents and mistrust between the followers of the various religious and
ethnic groups. The issues that generate the fiercest contestation include those
that are considered fundamental to the existence and legitimacy of the state,
over which competing groups tend to adopt exclusionary, winner takes all
strategies, which include the control of state power, resource allocation, and
citizenship.
Ethnic conflict has been rightly defined as one of the greatest
obstacles to meaningful development in Africa (The Courier 1993). In Nigeria,
this sort of competition and rivalry among various ethnic groups is seen as a
product of colonial contact. The ethnic factor, however, did not diminish with
the advent of independence; rather, it became a yardstick for measuring
contribution to the national development effort and especially for allocating
and distributing power and national resources. As Nigeria is currently engaged
in another exercise aimed at establishing a sustainable form of democracy,
there is urgent need to address
perceived factors that may militate against the success of this
endeavour. In certain quarters, the annulment of the democratic transition
programme by the military in 1993 at the conclusion of the presidential polls
is believed to have been motivated by ethnic sentiments. On a similar note, the
30-month senseless slaughter occasioned by the Nigerian civil war from 1967 to
1970 was anchored on ethnic rivalry.
In view of this, as well as the implications of pronounced conflict
over power sharing and resource allocation, the ethnic question demands
continuous examination if efforts to achieve a beer Nigeria arc to succeed. In
addition, this type of analysis may go a long way in preventing ethnic
conflict, since it proffers suggestions on how to lessen ethnic tensions and
resolve contentious issues. Feasible solutions to ethnic problems can only
emanate from well-grounded examinations of the phenomenon itself. Ethnic
conflict obviously affect the development of a society, since this can only
take place within a peaceful and democratic context that is devoid of rancour.
Inter conflict violence has reached unprecedented levels and hundreds
have been killed with much more wounded or displaced from their homes on
account of their ethnic or religious identification. Schooling for children has
been disrupted and interrupted; businesses have lost billions of naira and
property worth much more destroyed." The character of the Nigerian State
is responsible for the country's deepening ethno-religious contradictions. This
plural nature fuels a constant feeling of distrust between the component units,
and the fear of one ethnic or religious group dominating the other is rife.
Even though, the Federal Government of Nigeria has put in a lot of effort in
order to solve or reduce the menace of religious conflict in the country, in
most cases these efforts have yielded little or no success. Therefore, the
government needs to be hyper-active in its approach to its policies on
religious-based conflict prevention and resolution.
The term violence has attracted a wide range of definitions in
literature. The Princeton Cognitive Science Laboratory defines it as "an
act of aggression (as one against a person who resists); a turbulent state
resulting in injuries and destruction; ferocity: the property of being wild or
turbulent." Violence is an integral part of man's existence and a common
occurrence in human societies.
It could be due to differences in political ideologies, as was evident
during the Cold War period, and terrorism, bad governance, ethnic nationalism,
economic and religious reasons, and in some cases a combination of two or more
of these factors.
Ethnic groups are defined as a community of people who share cultural
and linguistic characteristics including history, tradition, myth, and origin.
Scholars have been trying to develop a theoretical approach to ethnicity and
ethnic conflict for a long time. Conflicts can be adaptive or maladaptive,
functional/constructive or dysfunctional. Indeed human and societal progress
over the ages, for example, has been driven by conflict. But the liquidation of
entire peoples and cultures has also been driven by conflict. The outcome of a
given conflict, therefore, depends on how it is managed by contending forces. Lack
of social reciprocity and/or tolerance for differences of opinion increases the
risk of violence and war.
Statement of Problems
The problems statement is extensively on the effect of inter ethnic
conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria. Nigeria, which is an
heterogeneous state comprises several pluralities principally ethnic and
religious. Although the country is federated, it is yet to find an enduring
formula for peaceful coexistence of her more than 280 ethnic groups and
different religions. Another major cause of ethnic conflict is psychology,
especially the fear and insecurity of ethnic groups during transition. It has
been opined that extremists build upon these fears to polarise the society.
Additionally, memories of past traumas magnify these anxieties. These
interactions produce a toxic brew of distrust and suspicion that leads to
ethnic violence. The fear of white Afrikaners in South Africa on the eve of
democratic elections was a good case in point Politicised ethnicity has been
detrimental to national unity and socio-economic well-being. It is important to
note that most of these ethnic conflicts were caused by colonialism, which
compounded inter-ethnic conflict by capitalizing on the isolation of ethnic
groups. The divide-and-conquer method was used to pit ethnicities against each
other, thus keeping the people from rising up against the colonisers.
Distribution of economic resources was often skewed to favour a particular
group, pushing marginalized groups to use their ethnicity to mobilise for
equality. These are the seeds of conflict. There are some common conflict
patterns. They include:
1. The demand for ethnic and cultural autonomy,
2. Competing demands for land, money and power, and
3. Conflicts taking place between rival ethnic groups.
According to Imobighe, (2003:81) the root cause of the present phase of
the ethno-religious conflict was when the military government of Nigeria, in
January 1986; digressed from a secular state and took the controversial
decision for Nigeria to join the organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
This gave rise to the Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian
Association of Nigeria (CAN) vicious and emotional campaigns for and against
the country's membership of OIC. While CAN (the representative of all Nigerian
Christians) called on Christians to rise and resist what was tagged 'the
Nigeria march towards Islamisation', powerful Muslim leaders sponsored
demonstrations in favour of joining the organisation.
Big problems and challenges loomed as the two dominant religions seek
support of all members. The Muslims embarked on a huge propaganda campaign
against the domination and marginalization of the Muslim majority by Christian
minority. Forthwith; both sides called on their faithful to rise in defense of
their religious perversion (New swatch, 1986). The various regimes in Nigeria
headed by either a Muslim or Christian dictators (military or civil) does not
help the matter as they watched as religious hostility and hatred deepened in
civil society. Soonest the issue of Sharia law arose leading to aggravated
intra and inter-religion conflict in several parts of Nigeria.
Therefore, the need to checkmates the causes and effect of this social
menace and social ills called the psychological effects of inter ethnic
conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria.
Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of study is to ascertain the psychological effects of
inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria.
Other purpose of this study are as follows:
i.
To ascertain if poverty level is a
cause of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria.
ii.
To ascertain if bad leadership is a
cause of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria.
iii.
To ascertain if self control of
resources is a cause of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in
Nigeria.
iv.
To ascertain if high level of
illiteracy is a cause of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in
Nigeria.
v.
To ascertain if level of unemployment
is a cause of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria.
Research Questions
The research questions are as follows:
i.
Is poverty level a cause of inter
ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria?
ii.
Is bad leadership a cause of inter
ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria?
iii.
Is self control of resources a cause
of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria?
iv.
Does high level of illiteracy a cause
of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria?
v.
Does the level of unemployment a cause
of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria?
Research Hypothesis
i.
Poverty level is not a cause of inter ethnic
conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria.
ii.
Bad leadership is not a cause of inter
ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria.
iii.
Self control of resources is not a
cause of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria.
iv.
High
level of illiteracy is not a cause of inter ethnic conflicts on social
health workers in Nigeria.
v.
Level of unemployment is not a cause
of inter ethnic conflicts on social health workers in Nigeria?
Significance of the Study
This study would be of much benefit to the community, religious body,
government entire school administrators of secondary schools and other
educational institutions and industries in Nigeria. Religion is a life-cycle.
It is a way of life of an individual or a people. The primary purpose religious education is to
successfully facilitate outcomes perceived to be in line with Christianity or
Islam or any other religion (Achuzie, 2004). The learner's life is therefore,
modified along the particular religion. Other vital outcomes such as cognitive
and affective ones assume a role and importance in keeping with the degree to
which they foster and enhance religious life-style or behaviour in the
learner's life.
The following are therefore, the benefits of this research study in
Nigeria.
i.
Religious education makes the students
to be aware of God's love for mankind, which is manifested in creation and His
various gifts (spiritual and material).
ii.
Religious education helps the
individuals to respond to God's love with love manifested in their obedience to
God's commandments.
iii.
Religious education encourages
students to love and live in peace with their fellow men.
iv.
Religious education assists the
students to have the right idea about God, by teaching them the Holy
Scriptures.
v.
Religious education helps to fill the
hearts of students with the guidance thereby regulating their conducts.
Religion naturally, is associated with the inculcation of moral value
in students, Christians, Muslims and traditionalists, and expose their children
to the moral values of their religious rights from a tender age.
With religious education, children are trained to fear God and
divinities because they can bless or punish them. For instance, each of the
religions practiced in Nigeria has certain morals to teach, and the school as
an organized society should assist in inculcating moral values (Ajiobi, 2001).
Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study will particularly cover the community in all local
government area of Lagos and focus mainly on the area. This is because the
researcher does not have sufficient time and money to conduct a state wide
study on all the Local Government area of Lagos State, let alone extending same
to other local government areas in Lagos State.
Time and protocol of obtaining clearance from the school management
before possibly, having access to interact with their teachers especially on
official hours might be a hindrance as well.
Click “DOWNLOAD NOW” below to get the complete Projects
FOR QUICK HELP CHAT WITH US NOW!
+(234) 0814 780 1594
Login To Comment