Ethnic and Religious Violence in Nigeria and the Need for Moral and Political Solutions (original) (raw)
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Religious Violence in Contemporary Nigeria: Implications and Options for Peace and Stability Order
2016
The article looks at the rising incidence of religious violence in Nigeria. It also investigates the causes and the implications of religious violence for a peace and stability order in contemporary Nigeria. The prospect for combating this religious violence is equally examined. The method of approach is purely from written sources which comprise of documents, monographs, manuscripts, books, journals as well as magazines. The study reveals that the religious violence in Nigeria has claimed many lives and property worth billions of Naira. The violence has not helped in the growth and development of the nation. However, education, tolerance, dialogue and reconciliation among others should serve as tools with which to douse the social violence that emerges from the practice of religion in Nigeria. This will ensure peaceful co-existence of Christians, Muslims, Traditionalists and members of other religions. This would also help in the restoration of a peace, security, growth and stabili...
The modest task I set out in this presentation is to offer an ethical perspective on the various ways of confronting the reality of violence in Nigeria, a preeminent cleft country characterised by civilisational faultiness and prebendal politics. The paper offers a firm confession in Christian hope that Nigeria is not fated to self-destruction. Beyond its recurring ‘clashes of civilisations’, it is possible to pursue ‘embrace of civilisations’. Echoing Scott Appleby’s thesis in Ambivalence of the Sacred, paradoxically, religions have unique role to play in overcoming a heritage of toxic emotions and bloodbath.
Religious Violence and National Security in Nigeria
International Affairs and Global Strategy, 2016
Nigeria which is multi-ethnic and multi-religious in nature is faced with religious violence. Religion that supposed to be a unifying factor among several ethnic groups in Nigeria has turned out to be one of the catalysts that are causing destruction of lives and properties due to narrow-mindedness, misunderstanding, fundamentalism and fanaticism of religious adherents. Several political problems take on religious dimensions; manipulated by politics, poverty, illiteracy and ignorance in Nigeria. Violence based on religious affiliation and religious policies have indeed caused physical and psychological damage to several people thereby legitimising religious schism among Nigerians who simply have different religious affiliations. This upheaval threatens the national security of the country. Thus, study will make use of survey methodology in examining the effect of religious violence in Nigeria from 1999 to 2011 and intends to find out how religion which has been the bone of contention can bring peaceful coexistence .
Ethno-religious conflicts have become a common phenomenon in Nigeria. The unabated crises have left indelible mark in the minds of people affected by the conflicts. This paper examines the adverse effects of those conflicts from different angles so as to lay bare their consequences and the untold hardship inflicted on many families by the manmade disaster called religious unrest. The paper advises the adherents of the two major religions in the country, Islam and Christianity who in most cases mastermind the conflicts to give peace a chance and live with one another in peace. It also admonishes them to practice the teachings of their respective faiths in accordance with instructions in their Holy Books, which is embedded in love for neighbours and protection of lives and property.
Jurnal Dialog, 2023
Religious conflict has been something that fills Nigeria's plate in the past decades. The palpable terror and suffering the conflicts have brought are undeniably dangerous for both the state and the people. Given the intricacy and immense impact the religious conflict has, the article seeks to shine a light on this particular problem in Nigeria. The article provides its findings through the qualitative research method that utilizes data gathered from previous research, media coverage and other sources. The concepts of national security along with Galtung's violence triangle are also used to be er understand the issue at hand. The article touches upon the ongoing, what is at stake over the issue as well as the available means to face the issue. It is found how the numerous atrocities that take the guise of religious reasons can be caused by other issues like poverty, the presence of political entrepreneurs and other manure piles as well. On the second point, the risk of having the problem spreading to neighboring states along with the conflict's overall exacerbation. In the third point, the government may resort to means like securitization of the issue and keep up its effort in running interfaith dialogue and collaborating with foreign partners. Finally, Indonesia is a go-to partner for Nigeria as it is experienced in the handling of religious conflicts as apparent in its past events and capacity to adapt.
Religious Violence and National Security in Nigeria, 1999 – 201
Journal of Advance Public Policy and International Affairs (JAPPIA)
Nigeria which is multi-ethnic and multi-religious in nature is faced with religious violence. Religion that supposed to be a unifying factor among several ethnic groups in Nigeria has turned out to be one of the catalysts that are causing destruction of lives and properties due to narrow-mindedness, misunderstanding, fundamentalism and fanaticism of religious adherents. Several political problems take on religious dimensions; manipulated by politics, poverty, illiteracy and ignorance in Nigeria. Violence based on religious affiliation and religious policies have indeed caused physical and psychological damage to several people thereby legitimising religious schism among Nigerians who simply have different religious affiliations. This upheaval threatens the national security of the country. Thus, study will make use of survey methodology in examining the effect of religious violence in Nigeria from 1999 to 2011 and intends to find out how religion which has been the bone of contention can bring peaceful co-existence.
RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS IN NIGERIA: A STRATEGY FOR PEACE
Nigeria is today a conglomeration of diverse ethnic groups with their peculiar cultural heritage. The contacts with the Western and Arabic worlds gave birth to Islam and Christianity in the country. Although, the introduction of the two religions has contributed magnificently to the peace and development of Nigeria. However, since Nigeria became an independent nation on the 1 st of October 1960, she has been confronted with myriad of religious conflicts and fundamentalism. Many towns that have experienced some of the notable religious conflicts in Nigeria include: Ibadan (2010), Wukari among others. In recent times, religious insurgency manifested in what is popularly known today as Boko Haram. This religious fanaticism has dramatically destroyed many communities in Nigeria. This paper therefore addresses religion in Nigeria, religious conflicts and their effects on the polity. It also examines the present religious challenge in Nigeria, and proffers how to usher in a peaceful, stable, progressive and vibrant nation.
VIOLENCE AS A RECURRING THEME IN NIGERIA'S POLITICS
Violence employed as a tool of political engagement is a prominent feature in politics overtime. Similarly, Nigeria, a product of colonialism is also not an exception to this adopted tool of power relations. This paper aims to bring to fore various deeds of violence and also examines the rationale behind its incessant presence in the politics of the country. The study shows that the struggle for power among dis-unified elites in Nigeria is shrouded with economic ends and this consequently makes power play a 'do or die' affair. This results in several political assassinations, arsons, destruction of properties etc. The paper therefore, argues that unless the basis for power struggle which is to gain exorbitant economic advantage is religiously dealt with, that is, making political office holder as no one else other than normal civil servants and also strengthening key institutions of coercion and electioneering, political violence which has become endemic, will only continue to rear its ugly head in the politics of the nation
NETSOL: New Trends in Social and Liberal Sciences, 2021
Lagos, the most populous city in Nigeria and economic hub of the country, is a mirror of complex ethnic and religious configuration of the Nigerian federation. This diverse ethnic and religious character, among other factors, makes Lagos a hotbed of violent ethnic conflicts. This condition is exacerbated by mutual fear and anxiety among various ethnic groups, particularly Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo, about domination, coupled with the pervasive feeling by some groups that other groups are the cause of their socioeconomic and political misfortunes. In this setting, hopes and aspirations that antagonism and possible triumph may guarantee socioeconomic benefits have often turned minor disagreements into violent conflicts, in which ordinary people are foot soldiers and greatest victims. The core problematic of this research is to investigate the fundamental causative factors and implications of ethnoreligious conflict in modern Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. Thus, this paper is a historical inquiry into the basis and impact of Yoruba-Hausa inter-ethnic violence on human security in contemporary Lagos society. The study also explores the opportunities for the attainment of sustainable peace and security within Nigeria. This study posits that the ethno-religious emotion and conviction that continuous antagonism and ultimate triumph against a particular ethnic group(s) assures socioeconomic progress is false. The paper concludes that the best recipe for sustainable human well-being, peace and security for Nigerians is to collectively launch a sustained legitimate advocacy against corruption and abuse of public office rather than wasting precious human and material resources on divisive and counter-productive violent ethno-religious conflicts. The study adopts the historical method of data collection and analysis.