1.1 Introduction
The traditional institution elicit greater confidence and legitimacy in the eyes of the ordinary Nigerians than the institution of the modern state due to it closeness to the people. Government comes and goes but the traditional institution has remained an integral framework of the people’s history and the bedrock of the traditional society. The government and non-governmental agencies must work harmoniously with traditional institutions to bring about meaningful development because these institutions have remained the pulse of the people and an enduring part of their cultural heritage. It is important to note that no society progresses without well defined cultural norms and values which regulate the activities of its people (Thewill, 2016).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Traditional institutions have been identified by Yadava and Gautam (1980) to include: traditional rulers,kin- groups, farmers’ forum, age groups, women clubs, sacred institution (church, temple, mosque, etc) obtainable in the rural societies. However, in this paper, the phrase ‘traditional institutions’ will be limited to traditional rulers, clan heads, village heads and their council of elders as organized and recognized in all Nigerian communities.
In Nigeria, the heads of traditional institutions are called different names according to the language and culture of a particular community. Most communities in the Northern Nigeria which is predominantly made up of Hausa/Fulani people addressed heads of traditional institutions as ‘Emirs’ or ‘Sultan’ and their councils, depending on the ranking of the traditional rulers. In western Nigeria, (the Yorubas), there are popularly known as the ‘Obas’. While the traditional rulers among the ‘Igbos’ who occupy the South-eastern Nigeria are called the ‘Igwes’ or ‘Eze’. Most states in the south-south region do not have a generally known name for their traditional rulers, each state or communities have a particular name they call theirs. Popular among them are: Obong of Calabar, Jaja of Opopo, etc. However, there exists clan heads and paramount rulers in these areas certificated by the government to maintain peaceful co-existence among the people.
Traditional Institutions represent an enduring collection of formal laws and informal rules, customs, codes of conduct, and organized practices that shape human behavior and interaction. Three layers of institutions characterize most African countries. One layer represents the formal institutions (laws) of the state. Another layer represents the societal norms and customs that differ along various cultural traits. A third layer lies between the other two layers and is referred to in this article as “traditional” institutions. Many African countries, Ghana and Uganda, for example, have, like all other states, formal institutions of the state and informal institutions (societal norms, customs, and practices). In addition, they have traditional institutions of governance of various national entities, including those surrounding the Asantehene of the Ashanti in Ghana and the Kabaka of the Buganda in Uganda. Many other countries have non-centralized elder-based traditional institutions (Oxfordre, 2021).
Traditional institutions are deeply rooted and unique to members of a particular community. They have the capacity to influence and control the behaviour of the people. They have the powers to coordinate information regarding any issue from their various clan heads or emirs and this information were processed to avail peaceful co- existence and mutual love for one another in their respective domains (Thewill, 2016)
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Challenges and Prospects of Traditional Institutions in Curbing Security Challenges in Africa.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Traditional institutions remain indispensable for the communities operating under traditional economic systems, they also represent institutional fragmentation, although the underlying factor for fragmentation is the prevailing dichotomy of economic systems. Regardless, fragmentation of institutional systems poses a number of serious challenges to Africa’s governance and economic development.
Beyond the traditional sector, traditional institutions also have important attributes that can benefit formal institutions. Among the attributes of the traditional system with such potential is the system’s transparent and participatory process of resolving conflicts, which takes place in open public meetings. The guiding principle behind these two attributes is that conflict is a societal problem and that resolving conflict requires societal engagement. In addition, resolution needs to be acceptable to all parties. This principle is particularly relevant for diversity management, nation-building, and democratization in contemporary Africa.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Challenges and Prospects of Traditional Institutions in Curbing Security Challenges in Africa. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the relevance of traditional institutions in Curbing Security Challenges in Africa.
- To explore the role of traditional institutions in the development communication processes in Africa.
- To identify the factors militating insecurity in Africa's traditional institutions.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors militating insecurity in Africa's traditional institutions?
- What is the relevance of traditional institutions in Curbing Security Challenges in Africa?
- What are roles of traditional institutions in the development communication processes in Africa?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H0: There are no significant factors militating insecurity in Africa's traditional institutions
- H1: There are significant factors militating insecurity in Africa's traditional institutions
1.7 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to traditional rulers in Curbing Security Challenges in Africa and other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Challenges and Prospects of Traditional Institutions in Curbing Security Challenges in Africa. The study is limited towards Traditional Institutions in Nigeria.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Role: According to an online Dictionary, Role is defined as the function assumed or part played by a person or thing in a particular situation.5
Ensuring: According to Cambridge Online Dictionary, Ensure is defined as a way to make something certain to happen
Peace: According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Peace is defined as a state of tranquility or quiet.
Harmony: According to Cambridge Online Dictionary, Harmony is defined as a situation in which people are peaceful and agree with each other, or when things seem right or suitable together.
