The Effect of Insecurity on the Emotional Behaviors of Secondary Schools in the North Central States of Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The effect of insecurity on the emotional behaviour of secondary schools in the north central states of Nigeria is significant in the following ways:
The study would assist the government to be proactive in tackling insecurity and insurgency in Nigeria as a whole.
The study would be of immense benefit to the secondary schools student in the north central states of Nigeria to be very conscious of their environment and to report any security challenges to the appropriate security personnel.
The study would be of immense benefit to the various stakeholders in security matters for policy making.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
One of the fundamental human rights of the people in any given state is the right to security and this is why it is always provided for in the constitution of most sovereign states. Nigeria is not an exception, thus Section 14 (2) (b) of the Nigerian 1999 constitution states clearly that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of the government”.
Although the problem of insecurity is not new in Nigeria, however since the confirmation of Goodluck Jonathan in February 2010 as the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria following the hospitalisation and eventual death of President Yar’adua the nation has been witnessing unparalleled security challenges. Now, hardly a day goes by without a report of one security challenge or the other. Unfortunately, ordinary citizens as well as the nation’s economic resources are at the receiving end of this wanton destruction. The series of bombings and killings in the north; kidnapping and armed robbery attack in the south; political and economic related assassinations as well as the politically influenced communal wars has become a multi-hydra headed monster which security agents in Nigeria appear incapable of handling.
Security has long been a part of human existence and sustenance and could be aptly viewed as freedom from threat or violence which could lead to the loss of lives and properties. That is, security is a situation in which citizens are free from any threats to their life and means of livelihood, safe from bodily harm, diseases, unemployment, and human rights violations wherever they may find themselves within a sovereign nation. This paper therefore examines the causes of insecurity, the effect of insecurity on the citizens and the nation’s economy and government efforts at fostering peace.
CONCEPT OF SECURITY
Various scholars across the globe have postulated differing viewpoints on the concept of security; according to the United Nations Development Programme (1994) human security could be defined as protection from hidden and hurtful disruptions in the daily activities, at homes, offices or communities. That is, security is the state of being safe and secure from danger, it could also be protection from chronic threats such as hunger, disease and repression.
For the Commission on Human Security (2003), human security is the protection of important aspect of human lives in a way that would enhance human freedoms and fulfilment. Human security encompasses freedom from want, harm, fear and the freedom to take appropriate actions without any form of hindrance. It is also the assurance of future well being and freedom from threat.
Williams (2008) who sees security from the socio-political perspective averred that security involves the capacity to pursue cherished political and social ambitions. That is, security is socio-political in nature as without security there can be no political stability and consequently social activities will be in chaos. Palme (2002) argues that there is a connection between security and survival. For him, security is a basic condition for the survival of human beings. Thus, security is synonymous to freedom from danger, fear and doubt among others.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
This is concerned with the approach or method or procedure employed in caring out this research. The methodology applied was from the descriptive (method) research on the effect of insecurity on the emotional behaviour of secondary schools in the north central states of Nigeria. Multiple choice questions were used in designing the questionnaire, couple with dichotomous (two ended) approach i.e. the entire yes and No type in an attempt to gather all the possible responses which the researcher.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
This is an exploratory study that adopted a survey design therefore; it was not rigorous with sampling. A multi stage sampling technique was used to collect data from 225 parents and 35 teachers; 105 teachers (45 males and 60 females) and 120 parents (50 males and 75 females). This allowed parents and teachers who were willing to answer the questionnaire at the time of visit to participate in the study. The instrument used for data collection was a Self-developed questionnaire with 20 items entitled Effects of Insecurity on secondary Schools Attendance Questionnaire (EISAQ). The questionnaire was developed based on the principle of content relevance (Anastasi and Urbina, 2008). Consequently items for the questionnaire were derived from suggestions offered by experts on insecurity. Some of the items were derived from sources mentioned above while others from the internet. The questionnaire has Cronbach alpha of .965. It was computed using the formula given by Allen and Yen (1979).
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATION & CONCLUSION
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Summary of the findings are that the effect of insecurity on the emotional behaviour of secondary schools student under the crisis situation in north central states in Nigeria has been devastating but that of male pupils seems to be lower than that of female pupils. Parents and teachers expressed their willingness to send their children back to the affected schools in north central states. The effects of insecurity on the emotional behaviour of these secondary school students were found to be significant in the north central states using Abuja as the study area. This situation if left unchecked, will lead to permanent dropout of many school children not only in north central states but in the other northern part of the country at large thereby making them available for use as political thugs and exposing them to other economic and social vices. It is incumbent on the government to provide adequate and effective security personnel to all the institutions of learning in north central and other part of Nigeria, Nigeria to stop the burning of schools and constant shooting around educational institutions.
RECOMMENDATION
Effect of insecurity portend great danger to the development of the nation. There is no nation that thrives well under the heat of war (armed conflict) and insecurity. We can only progress and have meaningful development under the atmosphere of tranquillity, peace and harmony. Therefore, government must endeavour to avoid anything that will cause disharmony and disequilibrium in the polity. Nigerian politicians must eschew politics of bitterness, rancour, criminality and falsehood. Every individual must be given equal opportunity and level playing ground to participate in the politics without any acrimony. Demands for change in the polity should be done maturely and democratically rather than undemocratic and clandestine methods. Democratic principles and due processes should be applied at all levels of governance in electing political leaders rather than selective principle and imposition of political candidates on the electorate. The principle of equity, fairness, and justice should be our political slogan in the coming 2015 election. The adherence of these norms in our polity will go a long way in reducing areas of discontent and help in building bridges across the nation for peaceful co-existence and unity.
CONCLUSION
Security without doubt is sine qua non for the sound existence of human beings, a nation, its unity and economic prosperity as well as political stability. Security entails the presence of peace, safety, happiness and the protection of human and physical resources. All threats to human security are also challenges to health and consequently are detrimental to the physical, psychological and over all wellbeing of the individual. Thus, we note that insecurity leads to illnesses, low life expectancy rate, low quality of life and even death.
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