1.1 Introduction
Peace and harmony are global phenomena that everyone desires and longs to enjoy without bounds. The Christian tradition had recorded great success as that promotes peace in so many areas. Among these are public declarations by church leaders, Christian organizations dedicated to bringing about peace have frequently made statements in support of peace and harmony, the dominant religions include Christianity, Islam, and African Traditional Religion. Due to differences in tribes and religious beliefs, there are numerous incidences of hostilities, resulting in destruction of lives and properties (Higazi, 2011).
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
The role of traditional rulers in peace and harmony maintenance process is as old as the institution itself. Peace-building is part and parcel of African pre-colonial social system geared towards reconciliation, maintenance and improvement of social relationships. The methods, processes and regulations are deeply rooted in the custom and traditions of the people of pre-colonial Africa, which seems to restore a balance to settle conflict and eliminate disputes (Choudree, 1999 as cited in Golwa, 2013). In this regard traditional rulers play a vital role in peace-building at the grassroots level as part of the cultural heritage of the people.
Traditional rulers hold the key to the success or failure in security administration in Nigeria because they operate at the grassroots of the society and interact closely with people in their daily activities consequent upon which they are highly respected. Abdullahi (2008) articulated that community based approach as opinion leaders‟ traditional authority are first stakeholders if they do not back opinion will face problem as they are closer always in contact with people.
It is important to concede that the area of the study has attracted the minds of various scholars and researchers. Yet it is the concern of this study to examine and relate such research endeavors on traditional authority to the contemporary security challenges in Nigeria. The exact nature and patterns of governance-cum, socio-economic inter-relationship between the traditional rulers and contemporary security situations will improve our understanding of the criminal justice system specifically in resolving issues of socio-political insecurity and religious conflicts thereby restoring social order, peace, harmony and stability. The general objective of the paper is to examine the role of traditional rulers in security administration from pre 1804 period, 1804-1903, 1903-1960 and 1960 and beyond; identify the structures, institutions as well as social changes on contemporary security in Nigeria. This is done by comparing roles of leadership of traditional rulers. The study will significantly contribute towards research efforts to dispute the claim. The findings of this research hopefully will put the roles and legacies of the traditional rulers into proper perspective to bear on the contemporary security situation/matter in Nigeria.
In our day to day language we often hear the word traditional rulers in our society. The concept refers to the indigenous arrangements whereby leaders or persons by virtue of heredity or people with proven track records are nominated, appointed and installed in line with the provisions of their native laws and customs. The essence of the institution is to preserve the tradition, the customs, cultural heritage of the people and to manage, settle and resolve disputes/conflict arising within or between members of the community by the instrumentality of laws and customs of the people in that particular community or society. Generally, they are seen and referred to as the custodians of their people’s norms, cultural values and practices. Adding on conceptual clarifications, Malami (1978:11) has identified three categories of traditional title holders that derive their titles from and through the traditions of the people, although the traditions vary from time, place and depth of cultural roots.
Security as a basic human need is important to the individual community. According to Alemika (2015) security is a contested concept, it means different things to different people and it also a contested practice, security for a group may constitute insecurity for another group. Therefore, security raises ontological debates about its nature and scope. Is there such a thing as security? There are two perspectives on the ontology or reality of security. The first perspective argues that security depicts a reality, a feeling and a condition. The second perspective conceives security as a label attached to a condition that someone considers undeniable. Balogun (2004:1) observed that man‟s primary and engaging concern has been that of survival and protection; from the vagaries of nature, natural disasters and from the ill-intentions and misdeeds of his fellow man community.
By traditional institutions, it refers to the indigenous political system or arrangements whereby leaders with proven track of records are nominated, appointed and installed in accordance with the provisions of their native laws and customs (Malami, 1978, Orji and Olali, 2010). The essence of the institutions is to preserve the customs, traditions and cultural heritage of the people and manage conflicts and violence arising among or between members of the community by the instrumentality of laws and customs of the people.
Therefore, in Owerri-West Local Government Area where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Role of Traditional Rulers in Maintaining Peace and Harmony in Nigeria.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Despite the predictions in the 1960s that this type of traditional ruler would dissapear, they have persisted and flourished in Nigeria. This multiplication of traditional authorities continues to flourish is in sharp contrast to other regions of Africa, where such systems have tended to wither away, especially when net rooted in the long-term social structures of the peoples over whom they were set to rule from the point of view of the colonial authorities, supporting traditional authorities, supporting traditional governance was a convenient and cheap method if both maintaining order and collecting tax with limited resources. Hence there is need to evaluate the role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and harmony in Nigeria.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Role of Traditional Rulers in Maintaining Peace and Harmony in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the causes of conflict in Owerri-West Local Government Area
- To examine the specific roles traditional rulers play in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area
- To ascertain the effectiveness of the roles of Traditional Rulers in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area
- To ascertain the challenges traditional rulers face in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area
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 Traditional Rulers effective in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area?
- Are there any significant challenges traditional rulers face in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area?
- What are the causes of conflict in Owerri-West Local Government Area?
- What are the specific roles traditional rulers play in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area?
- What are traditional rulers’ role in maintaining peace and harmony?
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.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Traditional Rulers are not effective in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area
- H1: Traditional Rulers are effective in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There are no significant challenges faced by traditional rulers in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area
- H1: There are significant challenges faced by traditional rulers in maintaining peace and harmony in Owerri-West Local Government Area
1.7 Significance of Study
The study is significant in the sense that, traditional rulers have been criticised for playing a supportive role to any government in power and also soliciting votes for politicians, and at the same time, cannot justify the huge amount of salaries being paid to them by the government.
The study gives a clear insight into the role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and harmony in Nigeria. This study will also be of immense benefit to 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 Role of Traditional Rulers in Maintaining Peace and Harmony in Nigeria. It is limited to Owerri-west Local Government Area in Imo State, 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
Church: According to an Online Dictionary, Church is defined as a building used for public Christian worship.
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.
Society: According to an Online English Dictionary, Society is defined as the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
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