Religious Conflict in Nigeria: Issues and Prospect. a Case Study Benue of State

Religious Conflict in Nigeria: Issues and Prospect. a Case Study Benue of State

CHAPTER ONE

Objectives of the Study

The major objective of this study is to examine religious conflict in Nigeria; issues and solutions. The research intends to outline the following sub-objectives;

To examine the role of church in reducing religious conflicts in the society.
To examine the dictates of the church as regards sustainable peace and harmony
To identify the factors disrupting sustainable peace and harmony of the society.
To proffer solutions to the issues of religious conflicts in Nigeria.

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Growth Of Ethno Religious Conflict and British:

Colonial masters play a vital role in the growth of ethno religious conflicts, these colonial masters brought the Christianity with them and try to penetrate the western values in the system of Nigeria. And try to produce the ethnic groups conflicts. And British also used this to exploit the traditional culture of Nigeria. British, as usual use their divide and rule policy to sow the seed of conflicts on the basis of religious conflicts among the people in Nigeria. Another achievement at the part of British people was division of Northern and Southern Part of the basis of ethnic groups and they done this under the name of native right ordinance in 1910. Towns that have experienced some of the notable religious conflicts in the post-independence era include; Maitatsine riots in Bulumkutu (1982); Maitatsine riots in Jimeta (1984); Kano(Maitatsine1980,1982, 1987, 1990, 1995) Maitatsine riots in Gombe (1985,1991); Illorin religious conflict (1986); Jalingo (1992, 2009); Shagamu (1999); Kafanchan (1987); Tafawa Balewa (1991, 1995,2001); Zangon-Kataf (1992); Tiv-Jukun and Tiv-Kuteb (1992-93); Potiskum (1994, 2009) Kuteb-Chamba (1997-1998); Igbirra-Bassa (1986-2000);Moon-Eclipse crisis in Borno (1996); Kaduna (Maitatsine riots in Rigassa 1982, 1992, 2000) Tiv and Others in Nassarawa (2001); Jos (1994,2000, 2001-2003,2008, 2009,2010); Ikulu-Bajju (2001); Yelwa-Shandam (2002,2004); Mangu-Bokkos (1992-1995); Bukuru-Gyero (1997); Maiduguri (2006,2009) Iggah-Oyikwa (2002); Kano(2004); Numan (2004); Azare (2001); Bauchi (2010); Ibadan(2010), Wukari (2010). Ode John has done a study which presented the argument on how ethno-religious conflict affects the Igbo man in the Nigerian nation. In his book C.A.N. My Foot: The Reckless Utterance of a Wilful President, he described the sorry plight of the Igbo people in Nigeria; each time ethnicity, power politics and religious frenzy combines to set a part of the country ablaze. He argued that in Nigeria, if a religious conflict starts anywhere, the Igbo man will in one way or the other be made to bear an extra portion of the brunt of the conflict. If he manages to escape alive, his petrol station, his shop and his home will be burnt down or his life and all of them will go. He argued that if a strong wind tears the pages of the Holy Koran apart and carries them away in Kano, Kaduna or Bauchi, it is the Igbo man that has desecrated the holy book. If they manage to escape alive, their petrol stations, their Churches, their shops and their homes will be burnt down or their lives and all of them will go.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.

POPULATION OF THE STUDY

According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.

This study was carried to examine Religious Conflict in Nigeria: Issues and Prospect. Selected residents in Benue of state form the population of the study.

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.

TEST OF HYPOTHESIS

H₀: The church is not encouraging religious, political and ethno-religious crisis in Nigeria.

H₁: The church is encouraging religious, political and ethno-religious crisis in Nigeria.

H₀: The Church has not played a significant role in sustaining peace in Nigeria.

H₂: The Church has played a significant role in sustaining peace in Nigeria.

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Introduction

It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Religious Conflict In Nigeria: Issues and Prospect. A case study Benue of state.. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Religious Conflict In Nigeria: Issues and Prospect. A case study Benue of state

Summary

This study was on Religious Conflict In Nigeria: Issues and Prospect. A case study Benue of state. Four objectives were raised which included: To examine the role of church in reducing religious conflicts in the society, to examine the dictates of the church as regards sustainable peace and harmony, to identify the factors disrupting sustainable peace and harmony of the society and to proffer solutions to the issues of religious conflicts in Nigeria. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected residents Benue of state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

Conclusion

If conflicts between Muslims and Christians remains the same then definitely its effect will continue not only lives of people but also on the economic growth, country’s reputation at international level, political, social and economic instability. Which will lead Nigeria to more decline and more worst. There is need to create awareness among the Muslim and Christians to bear each other and show some responsibility towards their country and they system must also be changed which also create more instability among the lives of people.

Recommendation

As noted earlier, the Christian and Islamic religions have over the years enjoyed ambiguous relevance in a multi-religious Nigeria (Akinola, 2016). This singular act of the Federal government no doubt negates the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is no doubt the basis of the struggles for supremacy among religions which have often turned violent. The Federal government can solve this daunting problem by withdrawing the erstwhile prominence given to them. Let every religion work out their relevance through the practice and piety.

References

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Faleti, S. A. “Theories of Social Conflict”, in Shedrack Gaya Best (Ed.) Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies in West Africa, Ibadan; Spectrum, 2006, p50 6 Ibid, p51
Northrup, T. A. (1989) “Dynamics of Identity in Personal and Social Conflicts”, in Kriesberg Et al (Eds.) Intractable Conflicts and their Transformation, Syracuse; Syracus University Press Ode John, C.A.N. My Foot: The Reckless Utterance of a Wilful President, quoted in the forward he wrote for Obasi John Chidi, The Legacy of Election Fraud, God Fatherism and the Struggle for the Soul of Anambra State (The Ethical Analysis of 2003 and 2007 Elections in Anambra State and the Lessons for Future Elections), Lagos; Emmafids & Associates Ltd, 2009 pviii
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Albert, 1.O. (1999) Community Conflict in Nigeria: Management, Resolution and Transformation. Ibadan Spectrum.

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