The Role of Non Governmental Organization in Peace Building in Maiduguri
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
With the spate at which insurgence has dealt a heavy blow on Maiduguri, economically, socially and otherwise, this research work will seek to highlight challenges of insurgency. Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the role of NGOs in peace building in Maiduguri and the way forward.
So as to achieve the purpose of this research the following will be looked into:
- To assess the role of NGOs in Peace Building.
- To examine the effectiveness of NGOs in the peace building in restive areas in the North East.
- To identify the way forward for NGOs in the peace building campaign.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
Violent conflicts continue to undermine human security in many African societies. It is certain that violent conflicts and insecurity pose a great threat to human development and progress (Institute for Security Studies, 2008). The Nigerian situation is pathetically entrenched in our colonial past. Thus, Chinwokwu (2012c, p.425) argues that “because the Nigerian nation was built on a faulty foundation of suspicion, intimidation, fear, violence or threat of violence and terrorism, stability, peace and oneness had eluded us as a nation”. Consequently, every small misunderstanding or statement is immediately perceived wrongly with intense acrimony resulting to conflict tension and insecurity. In other words, there is too much hatred filled with suspicion of each other and so every ethnic group in Nigeria (no matter how small) is always on the look out to avoid being suppressed by another. This is true, because historically, “violence was the means used to impose colonial domination” on the people (Akinwale & Aderinto, 2012, p.65). It is still the same modus operandi that is been used in the country by the neo-colonialists and imperialist stooges parading the country as our political leaders. Anugwom (2010, p.214) described this kind of leaders as “opportunistic political and economic elite” whose power base are fanned in the ambers of violent conflicts. It is important to note that our colonial past is still haunting us with the implication that since 1963, violent conflicts have dominated the geographical landscape of Nigeria with greater intensity, pattern and dynamics. The current trends emanating from the emergence of militia groups and religious fundamentalist coupled with suicide bombers have posed great national insecurity and weakened the structure of the state. Kwaja (2009) was right when he observed that as far back as pre-independence, Nigeria has been entangled with one kind of conflict or the other. In fact, we can aptly aver that the return of democracy in 1999 till date violent ethno-religious conflicts and terrorism have become a common instrument or tool for bargaining and expressing disaffection over the affairs of the country. The implication has been massive destruction of lives and property. This was noted by Human Right Watch Report on Nigeria in January, 2012. According to the report it was estimated that the number of death lost in Nigeria as a result of Boko Haram terrorist activities between 2009 and 2011 was 935 and over one billion worth of property destroyed (Laden, 2012; Chinwokwu, 2013b). It is certain that there has been more death caused by Boko Haram bomb attacks across North East Zone of Nigeria from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 and other sundry communal clashes across the country. Nigeria has between 350-500 linguistics groups and may be populated by fairly half Christians and Muslims (Tiffen, 1968; Hansford, Bendor-Samuel & Stanford, 1976; Paden, 2008). In fact, The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC, 2008), is of the opinion that Nigeria is a multilingual country that is endowed with more than 500 languages. The implication is that we are short of the exact figure of Nigerian linguistics composition. Notwithstanding, its plurality and heterogeneity, violent conflicts occupy its landmark. Instead of dialogue or use of bargaining power to address or settle differences Nigerian nations have been involved in ceaseless confrontations. More so, the state capacity to build synergies to address conflicting issues has been lacking. Where they have been employed, it had come late or at wrong time when lives and property might have been destroyed and wounds yet to heal. There are ample examples of ethno-religious and communal conflicts across Nigeria as shown on Appendix 1 below. It is saddening to note that most of the cases in the appendix would have been avoided if government had acted promptly to early warning. For instance, the case of the 2010 Christmas Eve bomb blast in Jos, Plateau State where it was alleged that government and security agencies got the information of the attack and yet failed to pro-actively act to prevent the attack which resulted to several deaths and loss of property. Peace building becomes a last resort when law and order has been broken down and lives destroyed. It is important to stress that prevention of violent conflicts should form the bedrock of any early warning mechanisms which government must endeavour to build in order to entrench a lasting democracy in Nigeria.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with the method used in collecting data required in carrying out this research work it explains the procedures that were followed and the instrument used in collecting data.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment, the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information for the study the role of non-governmental organization in peace building in Maidugury. The researcher select 200 staff of selected NGOs in Maidugury as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133(one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to examine the role of non-governmental organizations in peace building in Maidugury.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of peace building in the state.
Summary
Non-Governmental organizations are largely or totally independent of government, and they exist for a variety of reasons, usually to further the political or social goals of their members or funders. They function as charitable or religious associations, mobilize private funds for development initiatives and programmes, raise awareness and influence policies in pursuance of the ideals of democracy, good governance as well a undertake diverse humanitarian projects that could better the lots of the grassroots. Examples include improving the state of the national environment, encouraging the observance of human rights, improving the welfare of the disadvantaged, or representing a corporate agenda. However, there are a huge number of such organizations and their goals cover a broad range of political and philosophical positions
Conclusion
Ethno-religious war being carried out by Fulani herdsmen in Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Maidugury, Nasarawa, Cross River and other states across the country is a new security issue which is cropping up now that demand serious government intervention. The use of chemicals by Fulani herdsmen to attack their perceived enemies as shown in their attack on the Tiv people of Benue state is a matter of international concern. It is a trend that is dangerously manifesting in the new wave of terrorism in Nigeria. The wind of violence emanating from this direction must really be tackled before the debacle catches up with all of us. Government must put a halt to the massive destruction of lives and properties by these Fulani herdsmen to avoid reprisal attacks that may lead to unquantifiable catastrophe. The kind of lukewarm attitude demonstrated at the inception of the emergence of Boko Haram must be jettisoned for a rational and concrete approach that will put an end to the Fulani herdsmen onslaught on the people. Government are never serious with early warning signals until the matter develops into dangerous alarming situations, this must not be so with them in this critical situation. Government must move in urgently to address the problems of Fulani herdsmen and host communities to stop the hostilities and violent conflicts destroying the unity of the country. According to Ibrahim (1999): The legitimacy of the modern state is linked to its capacity to present itself as a provider of public goods and more important, a neutral arbiter that guarantees the security of all sections of the society. When the state is generally perceived as serving the particularistic interest of one group, it starts losing legitimacy and, indeed, its authority. As state capacity declines fear of the other rises and people resort to other levels of solidarity-religious, ethnic and regional in search of security (cited in Kwaja, 2009, p.111). Government must ensure that all unites of the country are carried along in its socio-economic developmental strides irrespective of the political leaning. State and institutional structures should be predicated on the provisions of basic security, good governance, and accountability. Conscientious efforts must be made at continual and sustained analysis and mapping of conflict prone areas as well as early warning signs to eliminate any form of dangerous uprising or reoccurrence of any crisis within any community.
Recommendations
Although, many of peace building’s aims overlap with those of peacemaking, peacekeeping and conflict resolution, it is a distinct phenomenon. Peacemaking involves stopping an ongoing conflict, whereas peace building happens before a conflict starts or once it ends. The aim of government in peace building should be to address issues before they generate into uncontrollable conditions. These demand great efforts by government and the people involved in every community. To achieve effective peace building, we recommendation as follows: The key to effective management of conflict and peace building in the community should be anchored on effective communication between government and stakeholders. The government should engage Nongovernmental agencies within communities that will help in sourcing information regarding any matter threatening the peace of the community. Early warning data banks should be created for the analysis of such information and every information received must be investigated promptly; to determine its reality or otherwise. The local people should be enlightened to be security conscious so that they can be able to identify issues that threaten their lives or livelihood in the community. Peace building programme should be community based with local content relevant to the security needs of the community. It must be an integrative initiative that incorporates all levels of age, sex, tribe, religion and the likes within the community in order to provide a broad base information gathering mechanism. One of the issues that can weaken any early warning signal is the rate of response. Efforts must be put in place to ensure that early warning signals are responded to promptly and decisively in order to checkmate any unpleasant security situation within any locality. Thus, pro-active preventive strategy should form the nucleus of any peace building approach in tackling conflict. There is need to build synergies across all stakeholders and prompt action against defaulters. In this regard, persons who are found to be involved in fomenting conflict situations in their area should be dealt with promptly to discourage other would be trouble makers. Government must be decisive in taking action on matters which threaten the security of the state in order to provide the concrete evidence that they can protect the people in time of crisis. Government must go beyond primordial, personal and party interest and come out hard on any defaulter in order to stem the tide of violence and insecurity in the country. Government should go beyond mere provision of relief materials to indigent and displaced persons to building strong community based economy that caters for the masses. One of the things that provoke conflict is poverty and ignorance. Government must strive to eradicate poverty and ignorance in the society. The huge amount of financial resources that are put in meaningless ventures should be redirected to building industries and educational institutions that will empower the people. In most times, we engage in dialogue when lives have been destroyed. Government must strive to go beyond window dressing of issues and engage in inter-faith dialogue or inter-communal dialogue as a strategic model undertaking which shall contribute positively to peace building in the society. This will strengthen proactive mechanisms aimed at checking conflict in any society. In conclusion, we acknowledge that peace building is better than peacemaking in conflict resolution and management. Government should build capacities that are readily available to manage conflict situations before they manifest into disasters. Energies put into peacemaking should be channeled into peace building. The reason is that lives lost during conflict situations are never restored back to life. We must endeavour to protect life at all cost before it is destroyed than providing funds for mere palliative measures that cannot bring back human existence
References
- Adelman, H. (1998). Difficulties in early warning: Networking and conflict management. In K. van Walraven (Ed.). Early warning and conflict prevention, limitations and possibilities. The Hague: Kluwer Law International.
- Akanji, O. O. (2007). The politics of combating domestic terrorism in Nigeria. In Wafula, O & Botha, A (Eds.). Domestic terrorism in Africa: defining, addressing and understanding its impact on human security (pp. 55-64). Pretoria, South Africa: Institute of Security Studies, Terrorism Studies & Research Program.
- Akinwale, A.A., & Aderinto, A. A. (2012). Crisis of Governance and Urban Violence in Nigeria. African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies., 5 (1 &2), .49-77
- Anugwom, E. E. (2010). In the absence of the father: Niger Delta oil conflict as a discourse of leadership inertia in postcolonial Nigeria. In Uchendu, E., Okpoko, P. A., & Anugwom, E. (Eds.), Perspectives on leadership in Africa. (pp. 214-236), Nsukka: Afro-Orbis Publishing Co. Ltd.
- Atiku, A, J., & Shaw, T. Y. (2003). An empirical profile of weak states in Sub-Saharan Africa. CODESRIA’s Africa Development, XXVII(3/4):168–185.
- Awoniyi, S. (2013). A discourse on religious conflict and tolerance in multi-faith Nigeria. European Scientific Journal. 9(20): 124-143
- Best, S. G. (2007). The methods of conflict resolution and transformation. In S. G. Best (Ed.), Introduction to peace and conflict studies in West Africa. Ibadan: Spectrum Book Ltd
- Best, S. G. (2008). Causes and effects of conflicts in Southern zone of Plateau state, Nigeria. Ibadan: John Archers Publishers Limited.
