REMOTE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF ETHNO-RELIGIOUS CRISIS ON LIVELIHOOD

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Most episodes of violence in Nigeria especially in northern states of Nigeria in the past three decades are associated with ethno–religious conflict characterized by high level of violent confrontations among ethnic and religious groups often under the influence of “settler-indigene dichotomy” and “Christian-Muslim” debacle respectively (Abdul 2000). The resurgence of ethnic and religious violence in Nigeria has without doubt, been central to the National question and the socio-economic and political process of the country. Undoubtedly, Nigeria has become an epicenter of ethno religious violence in which most times, an attempt to resolve this violence exacerbate it further, thereby posing a serious challenge to nation cohesion, unity, integration, sustainable democracy and development (Abdul 2000). 

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. Nigeria consists of over 250 ethnic groupings (Arase and Iwuafor 2007). Nigeria also has three main religious diversities namely – The African Traditional Religion, Islamic Religion and Christianity Religion. The history of Islam is traceable to the trans-Saharan slave trade, the cultural and religious influences from the Arab and Middle East state. The religion receives significant boost under the aegis of Usman Dan Fodio’s and the religious Jihad of 1804- 1810. The history of Christianity is likewise traceable to the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, and the activities of early Christian missionaries in pre-Nigeria geographical spaces like Badagry, Lagos and other southern coast states (Falola, Uhomoibhi, Mahadi &Anyanwu 2003).

Within the last two decades Nigeria has witnessed a variety of turbulence, some of which have threatened the existence of the country as a nation. Some of this turbulence could be described as intra-religious while the others are inter-religious. There are others that are more of political in nature than religious even though some individuals may see them as religious simply because each group involved come from different religious backgrounds.

A major source of what we now see as ethno-religious conflicts in Nigeria has to do with the accusations and allegations of neglect, domination, exploitation, victimization, discrimination, marginalization nepotism and religious intolerance. What this means is that conflicts usually occur when deprived groups and individuals attempt to increase their share of power and wealth or put differently, to modify the dominant values, norms, beliefs and ideologies. Thus, in Nigeria, there seems to be a divisive interplay of politics, ethnicity and religions, which has consequently led to the rising jingoism and militancy of various ethnic and religious movements. Thence, thus study is poised in assessing the remote causes and effects of ethno-religious crisis on livelihood.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Nigeria has a long history of ethnic and religion diversities. Lamentably, they have turned out to be a significant source of insecurity and poses challenges to national unity. Ethnic and religious conflicts are inter-related. Several ethnic conflict takes on religious tags in it execution likewise religious conflicts mobilize ethnic sentiments (Dogara 2010). Since the Maitatsine of 1980, ethno-religious conflict has become prominent. In Northern states of Nigeria, matters regarding ethnicity and religion have become susceptible to violence such as killings and maiming along ethnic lines, destruction of religious centers and communal clash etc. thence, this study focuses on the remote causes and effects of ethno religious crisis on livelihood in Guyuk Local Government Area.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to assess remote causes and effects of ethno-religious crisis on livelihood: A case study of Guyuk Local Government Area.

The specific objectives of the study include:

To assess the causes of ethno-religious crisis in Guyuk Local Government Area.

To identify the effects of ethno-religious crisis in Guyuk Local Government Area.

To suggest mitigation measures to ethno-religious crisis in Guyuk Local Government Area.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions are formulated for this study;

What are the causes of ethno-religious crisis in Guyuk Local Government Area?

What are the effects of ethno-religious crisis in Guyuk Local Government Area?

What are the suggested mitigation measures to ethno-religious crisis in Guyuk Local Government Area?

1.5 Significance of the Study

It has become abundantly clear that no nation can survive without exhibiting peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance. Therefore, this study will also provide useful information and operational framework which government, economic planners, administrators, public office holders, policy makers, academicians, students, and the general public could utilize in understanding issues surrounding sectarian crisis in northern Nigeria. The results from this study are expected to be of benefit to government, government, politicians, civil society organizations, NGOs, National Economic Council, political parties, students and the nation at large.

The study will help in solving and also preventing future occurrence of sectarian crisis in northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole. The study will assist the community development association on peace building initiatives that would help in bringing about peaceful coexistence.

1.6 Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of this research work is the remote causes and effects of ethno-religious crisis on livelihood. The study is delimited to some communities in Guyuk Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

1.7 Study Area

 Guyuk is a border town of Adamawa State, it has a population of 336,648 (2016) it is borded by Shelleng Local Government Area to the East, Gombe State to the West, Borno State to the North and Lamurde Local Government Area to the South.

1.7.1 Climate  

The city has a tropical Climate characterized by Dry and wet season. The rainfall is seasonal, the rainy season lasts from April to September and the monthly rainfall is around 189mm. The wettest months are August and September the average of rainfall for the State is 759mm in the Northern parts and 1.05 mm in the Southern parts. 

1.7.2 Population 

The total population of study area as a regard to the 2016 is Male 100295. Female 94365, Total population is 194,660. (NPC, 2006)

1.7.3 Economic Activities

 There are various human activities practiced from in the study area. The commonest among them are administrative, commercial, industrial, recreational, residential, Small agricultural and educational. The civil servants that live in the study area range from senior to junior staff with various income earning. Some of these civil servants do engage in commercial activities after closing from office work, such as tailoring, cyclist (keke NAPEP) which is normally done in the evening and weekend days. 

1.8 Definition of Terms

Conflict:  This is a situation in which people, groups or countries are involved in a serious disagreement or argument

Ethno-religious conflict: This is a situation in which the relationship between members of one ethnic or religious and another of such group in a multiethnic and multi-religious society is characterized by lack of cordiality, mutual suspicion and fear, and a tendency towards violent.