Ethnic Conflict and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The Role of Peace Education (original) (raw)
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ETHNIC POLITICS: A THREAT TO PEACE AND EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
The desire for democracy is of global interest especially to countries struggling to be out of dictatorial regimes. In Nigeria, the reverse is the case, as ethnic politics has resurfaced in the whole country in recent years, manifesting into negative inter-ethnic conflicts that have posed a threat to peace and educational development as a result of rivalry amongst over 250 ethnic groups in the country. This paper looks at Ethnic politics in Nigeria, its threat to peace and educational development, with particular reference to the Nigerian experience, government's efforts to maintain peace and unity. The paper draws a conclusion and makes recommendations that the teaching of peace and conflict as a ''General Studies course " with a view of making educational institutions a location for the promotion of peace, understanding and tolerance, should be a course taught to all students in their first and second year. This will give them a grounded knowledge on how to handle all forms of conflicts they might encounter with others. There should be a judicious use of ethnic balancing in the provision of socioeconomic and political opportunities for all citizens. Countries facing similar crises as identified in Nigeria should use this opportunity to draw lessons from the " Asian Tigers " economies of Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, who have pursued, their industrialization, educational and technological development etc individually.
PEACE EDUCATION AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR CURBING VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
Nigerian Journal of Sociology of Education NJSE, 2017
Violent conflict is the major hindrance to the development of Nigeria. It inflicts human sufferings through death, destruction of livelihoods, constant displacement and insecurity. Violent conflict disrupts the peace of a country and the process of production; it creates conditions for pillage of the country's resources and diverts their application from development purposes to servicing war. Violent conflict is thus responsible for perpetuating misery and underdevelopment in our country and the continent at large. Therefore, the Nigerian nation needs to do everything within its power to stem violent conflict in the nation. It was on this note that this paper seeks to investigate peace education as instrument for curbing violent conflict in Nigeria. The paper examines peace, peace education and the reasons why we should have peace education in our various schools and found out that peace education is an important tool that is needed in the country to stamp out violent conflict in our nation. Therefore, peace education should be the focal point of our educational system.
Peace Education: A Panacea for Curbing Conflict in Nigeria
Humankind needs to take lessons from its past in order to build a new and better tomorrow. Among the lessons not yet learnt are the values of peace, non-violence, tolerance, human right, democracy and good governance. Peace does not come with Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA); to reach peace we need to teach peace, as the world can no longer afford war. People cannot stand by while the numbers of conflict and environmental refugees soar, poverty spreads like an epidemic and money for education, health, job training and other needed service is diverted to pay for weapons. Peace education is the deliberate attempt to educate children and adult on the dynamics of conflict and promotion of peace making skills in homes, schools, communities throughout the world. Since conflict erupts from the minds of man and woman, conscious effort must be made to inculcate in the same mind, the art of peaceful coexistence. The most significant way of promoting a culture of peace is through peace education. The paper therefore x-ray peace education, essence of peace education and how peace education can be facilitated through effective implementation of Social Studies curriculum particularly at the primary and Junior secondary school levels which are critical period of the child's character formation. The paper contends that peace education is pivotal to drive toward development as this cannot take place in a security vacuum.
1 Religious , Cultural and Peace Education : Panacea to Conflict Crisis in Nigeria
2015
Nigeria is a multi-cultural society comprising of about two hundred and fifty ethnic groups each with distinct cultural background, major languages include Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. The socio, political and economic interest of individuals or groups often seem to generate and propagate crises. In the most recent times conflict has become a predominant phenomenon, and efforts to arrive at fruitful solutions remain futile even with the presence of the teachings of the various religious practiced there in. It has been wondered if there religions are impacting on their adherents or converts given the level of crime and conflicts observed in the country. It is against these that the paper recommends the repositioning of religious and cultural education as well as inclusion of peace education at all levels of education (primary, post primary and tertiary ) to ensure inculcation of basic principles or tenets of harmonious living among the Nigeria citizenry.
Peace Education as a Unifying Factor in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects
Abstract Insecurity is a reproach to a nation as peace is essential to the survival and harmonious co-existence of all creatures. It could not be attained unless there is justice and control. The Nigerian society needs genuine peace but it is unattainable unless injustice is uprooted from the surface of the earth. Hence, peace education is crucial for the Nigeria survival. This paper explored the prospects of peace education as a unifying factor in a multicultural, multiethnic and multireligiuos society like Nigeria and clarified some concepts of peace education in relation to hydra-headed but intractable ethnic, economic and religious crisis in the country. Also, the paper reviewed challenges peace education could confront and highlight several elements that can foster peace education in Nigeria. It was recommended that justice is essential for genuine peace to reign in the country as peace is imperative to the survival and harmonious co-existence of all Nigerians. Keywords: Peace, peace education, multicultural society, multiethnicity and multireligiuosity.
ILORIN JOURNAL OF EDUCATION, 2023
Education is said to be everyone's right, and it should be available to all members of society, regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, or geographical location. In this regard, peace is also everyone's right, and peace education should be the primary solution to all social conflicts in society. Nigeria, a populous country with numerous national security challenges, is experiencing an increased or heightened state of perpetual insecurity. This significantly slows the growth and development of Nigeria. It has become a top priority to address the root causes of the rising tide of insecurity in a bid to prevent conflicts. This paper gives an overview of the country's security issues and conflicts. It also assesses the initiatives being put in place to curtail insecurity as well as the strategies mostly used for conflict prevention to proffer a lasting solution. The study further examined the importance of inclusive peace education in reducing conflicts' emergence, spread, and intensity. Peace education is now acknowledged as a potent tool for managing and preventing conflicts, and by extension, upholding national security. The paper concluded that early, inclusive, and comprehensive peace education are key to reducing conflict and maintaining national security in the critical phase Nigeria is in.
International Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR), 2018
The first recorded religious violence in Nigeria was in Kano in 1952, then Maitasene crisis of early 1980s and the emergence of Boko Haram in 2002in the Northern part of the country while efforts to institutionalize peace in a badly divided societies has a herculean task. The absence of peace education in theeducational curriculum Nigeria is worrisome leading to indoctrinated youth serving as vanguard for violence.The paper therefore examined the place of modified educational curriculum in instilling ofculture of peace to minimize violence. The study was descriptive and relied on secondary data sources.It found that the division along ethnic and religious lines made nationalism a mirage while the governments failed to develop the political will to guarantee good governance.The study concluded that the neglect of peace education in the nation?s educational curriculum is a serious challenge while its inclusion could inculcate a culture of peace to curb terrorism and other form of violence. It recommended the inclusion of peace education in the nation?s educational curriculum and the training of instructors as well as adequately funding and monitoring the program to ensure that violence is minimized particularly in Northern part of Nigeria and the nation. Finally, the support of other actors in the educational sector is imperative to complement instruction from schools.
Peace Education Policy: A Synergy to Mitigating Violent Conflict Risk and Peacebuilding in Nigeria
Africa Policy Journal, 2022
Mitigating the risk of violent conflict and building peace in Nigeria involves established principles that promote peace through formal and informal institutions of learning. Peace education policy contains the key principles of reducing the risk of violent conflict and building a culture of peace. This paper aims at promoting peace education policy as a solution to mitigate the risk of violent conflict and peacebuilding in Nigeria. Qualitative research and content analysis of publications were carried out for this research. This paper affirms that one of the causes of violent conflict in Nigeria was found to be associated with violent education acquired and accepted by aggrieved individuals and groups as a means to achieve their social, political and economic goals. Ignorance of these victimized groups on how to wage conflict through nonviolent methods caused them to see violence as a means of fighting injustices in the society. This paper also supports that peace education plays several roles in alleviating violence and building peace in Nigeria. The analysis further suggests that the formulation and implementation of peace education policy is key in supporting efforts from the government, non-governmental organizations, and peacebuilders in alleviating risks to human security and building peace in Nigeria for sustainable development.