Ethno Religious Crisis in Nigeria: Causes and Remedy.
ETHNO RELIGIOUS CRISIS IN NIGERIA: CAUSES AND REMEDY.
BY
MUHAMMAD GAMBO ISGOGO
HASSAN ADAMU MAKUKU
UMAR HAMIDU ALIYU
ABSTRACT
Introduction Nigeria is no doubt a populous nation of over 88 million (1991 population census) but as at now Nigeria’s population is estimated to be above 120 million people of diverse ethnic groups and many religions. Its people are differently distributed in the 36 states that made up the nation. In addition to this, the nation is blessed with many economic potentialities which help in the movement of the various peoples through the process of economic inter-dependence. Though abounds with human and natural resources, the country has since independence witnessed a number of inter and intra ethnic and religious crisis which continue to be an impediment to its overall development. The causes of conflicts between and within ethnic and religious groups could be seen in a number of factors, such as ways of propagating the religions, mistrust and suspicion between the followers of the various religious and ethnic groups, selfishness ignorance and intolerance amongst the two groups. References are made in the holy books, such as the Glorious Qu’ran and the Holy Bible on their teachings showing how if fully adhered to, the nation will be in peace. In this respect, the prevailing crisis might not be un- connected with the deviation of the teachings of these religions by their followers. In the paper, causes of these crises are discussed and some suggestions are provided which if properly implemented will serve as remedies to both ethnic and religious crisis in the nation.
Ethnic Crisis In Nigeria. In the words of Eleazu “the people of Nigeria are many and varied”1. Actually, a nation with a population of over 120 million people now and about 391 different ethnic groups2 with divergent socio-political, economic, cultural and religious backgrounds could be termed a nation of many and varied peoples. With this heterogametic nature. Nigeria
BY
MUHAMMAD GAMBO ISGOGO
HASSAN ADAMU MAKUKU
UMAR HAMIDU ALIYU
ABSTRACT
Introduction Nigeria is no doubt a populous nation of over 88 million (1991 population census) but as at now Nigeria’s population is estimated to be above 120 million people of diverse ethnic groups and many religions. Its people are differently distributed in the 36 states that made up the nation. In addition to this, the nation is blessed with many economic potentialities which help in the movement of the various peoples through the process of economic inter-dependence. Though abounds with human and natural resources, the country has since independence witnessed a number of inter and intra ethnic and religious crisis which continue to be an impediment to its overall development. The causes of conflicts between and within ethnic and religious groups could be seen in a number of factors, such as ways of propagating the religions, mistrust and suspicion between the followers of the various religious and ethnic groups, selfishness ignorance and intolerance amongst the two groups. References are made in the holy books, such as the Glorious Qu’ran and the Holy Bible on their teachings showing how if fully adhered to, the nation will be in peace. In this respect, the prevailing crisis might not be un- connected with the deviation of the teachings of these religions by their followers. In the paper, causes of these crises are discussed and some suggestions are provided which if properly implemented will serve as remedies to both ethnic and religious crisis in the nation.
Ethnic Crisis In Nigeria. In the words of Eleazu “the people of Nigeria are many and varied”1. Actually, a nation with a population of over 120 million people now and about 391 different ethnic groups2 with divergent socio-political, economic, cultural and religious backgrounds could be termed a nation of many and varied peoples. With this heterogametic nature. Nigeria
References: 1. Eleazu, U. “History and Geography of Nigeria” in Eleazu U. Ed. Nigeria: The first 25 years, Lagos Heinemann. 1985 - p3 2 3. Ryder, A.F.C. “The Trans-Atlantic slave Trade” in Obaro, I. Ed. Groundwork of Nigerian History, Ibadan, Heinemann. 1980. p150 4. Ekeh, P.P 7. Al-mizan of 16th Zulkida, 1420; Similarly see all the publications of Almizan and other Kaduna based Newspapers published within the period of the Kaduna crisis, I.e. from 20th February, 2000. 8. Hornby, A.S. Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary of Current English, 6th Ed. New York. 2000. p 900 9 13. Ezzati, A. An introduction to the History of the spread of Islam, Lagos, Islamic Publication Bureau. 1979. p 4. 18. Ezzati, A. 1979 p.5. 23. Abdur Rahman, I.Doi. Shariah: The Islamic Law, Ta Ha Publications, London, 1984 p 355/6 24 Idris, I.G