Ethnic/ Religious Insurgencies and Nation-Building In Nigeria

Egharevba, M. E. and Iruonagbe, C. T. (2015) Ethnic/ Religious Insurgencies and Nation-Building In Nigeria. Internat ional Affa irs and Global Strategy, 29. pp. 40-52. ISSN 2224-895

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Abstract

Over the last decade, the activities of e thni c/re li g i ou~ in surge nt groups have permeated the Nigerian nation, bringing into question the essence of surviva l of the Nigeria project. Thi~ ran ge~ from the activitie~ of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, the indigene/settler crisis in many states, and the Boko Haram saga in the North-East region. Several factors ranging from economic, political and cultural marginalization, widening social inequalities, lack of basic infrastructure and exclusion have been cited as reasons for these insurgencies in order to attract attention from the national government and the international world. lt is the contention in this paper that employing tactics of violence and killings against innocent indi vidual s, communities and armed confli ct within the state creates long- term devastating consequences than the short- term goal of attracting attention to whatever genuine demands any group may hold. The paper further argues that insurgency result~ from leadership failure. lack of accountability. political exclusion and marginali zation which crea te co nditions where the most vulnerable, particularly women and children, are more at the risk of hunger, malnutrition, susceptibility to illnesses and death. Furthermore, countries in conflict suffer disruptions in livelihoods, infrastructure, schools, markets, assets, nutrition, health and loss of resources required for food production and distribution, including national development. The end result is that instead of the country advancing in building sustainable development, the perpetration of conflict and violence causes the country to suffer long- lasting losses, including losses to food production and soc ietal advancement. The paper concludes with the recommendation that employing constructi ve non-violent dialogue and demanding accountability from leadersh ip in all spheres of life and authority will go a long way in address ing soc ioeconomi c challenges faced in the country. It will also ga\van i;e our co ll ec ti ve drive, energies and resources in generating more sec ure livelihoods for the population curre ntly mired in poverty, hunger and insecurity

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Insurgency, Nation-building, li velihoods, development, governance
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Mrs Hannah Akinwumi
Date Deposited:	10 Mar 2015 15:48
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2015 15:48
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/3797

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