CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY        

It is a fact that over hundred Nigerians have lost their lives in fighting religious crisis across the federation since the beginning of democracy in 1979. The number of those injured triples the dead, while those displaced are put at million. Umar, (2009), Onabanjo (2011) Observe that crisis have also hindered genuine economic development and national integration. More than fifty years after Nigeria’s independence thus raising serious concerns on the unity of the nation. It is observed that the religious crisis has been an obstacle to progress, economic prosperity, and peaceful co-existence and over all socio-economic development of Nigeria because of its destructive tendencies. Nigeria is populated by the adherent of Christians, Islam and African traditional religion. However, the adherents of three religions, especially Muslims and Christians are often engaged in crisis, leading to loss of lives and properties, a day hardly passes without the adherents of these two religions engaging in one crisis, or the other. This has led to suicide bombing, loss of innocent citizens and property (Amadu, 1989). Even if there is a seeming peace, the relationship between the Muslims and the Christians is marked with mutual suspicion and distrust. These religious crises are more frequent in the North and they sometimes give birth to reprisal attacks in Eastern part of Nigeria. Many have attributed the recurring spate of religious crisis in Nigeria to the strove and functioning of Nigerian Federalism. Elaigwu (2005) writes on violent protests in the Niger-Delta over perceived injustice in resource distribution, the Modakeke Communal violence, the MASSOB Feeble attempt to resuscitate Biafra, the South-South demand for the control of its resources, the recent Benue, Kaduna, Adamawa herdsmen attack and all the recent inter religious crisis in various states across the country.

Religion by its nature is supposed to enlighten, inspire and unify people in any society. It is an irony that it often engenders strife, intolerance and hatred among the religious groups in Nigeria today. The danger posed by religion has assumed a frightening dimension under which no meaningful development can endure. According to Okoro (2008:105), religion in some quarters and her institution are suspected to be major causes of violent, crises and conflicts not only in the contemporary history but down to the history of development of human society. Agi has said that;

The problem of religious violence in Nigeria is very complex, not only have Nigerians to contend with inter and intra-religious or (sectarian) violence, they have perforce to contend with Northern and Southern variants on the one hand, and reckon with the changing face of religious violence from one era with another on the other hand. For example, manifestation of the phenomenon in the pre-colonial period differs from colonial, both differ severally from the post-colonial era, and all three differ from the contemporary period. (1998:24)

There are a number of disturbing phenomena in the society arising from religion. Religious organizations have sometimes exerted discriminating influences which have often generated disaffection, apathy and separation among people in the society. Tension and incessant killings always grip non-Muslims in Northern Nigeria due to intolerance among religionists in the society. Religion has often caused the disruption and disintegration of domestic unity as homes and fragmented churches into protestant, Roman Catholic; Pentecost and orthodox, Presbyterian as well as Brotherhood of the cross and star. Social discrimination sometimes follows denominational differentiation and legacy of denominationalism has often led to serious interdenominational competition, hostility, and discrimination. Critically appraised, many of the educational, economic, medical and social welfare services rendered by various Christian groups may have divisive and competitive purposes. Denominational differences have often led to interdenominational crises and conflicts as a result of intolerance (Ekechi, 1972:50-51).

Both the federal government and some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have set up various institutions to deal with ethno-religious conflicts in the country. Many deal with them on an ad-hoc basis without articulating a standard way to process conflicts. Some of these ad-hoc committees have gone to the extent of designing a Conflict Management System (CMS) to address the issue of religious conflict in Nigeria (Kwaja 2009; Ahmed 2007).  Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs) and Inter-Religious Mediation Groups are no exception. While many FBOs have well-developed programmes for conciliation, mediation, and scripture-based peacemaking, very few religious communities have taken advantage of the CMS approach to their internal conflicts (Ibrahim 1999).

Using contemporary examples, this paper assesses the feasibility of interfaith mediation strategies in peace-making. In some cases, the faith-based organisations and interfaith mediation group’s approaches to peace-making and reconciliation can offer a corrective alternative to the failings of the western peace-making model. This paper is meant as a contribution towards the ongoing search for a lasting peace to various religious crises in the country.

1.2     STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Considering the effects of intolerance in the Nation as demonstrated by the emergence of the Niger-Delta Militant groups and Boko Haram menace that leads to insurgency in the nation which resulted to loss of lives and displacement of some people. Recently, the Punch Daily Newspaper (Fulani herdsmen’s mindless Agatu killings, 2016) reported the attack of the Fulani herdsmen on the people of Agatu Local Government, Benue State. The Ebira people of Kogi State were also attacked by another groups of same ethnic group leaving about 300 farmers dead (Fulani attacks continue despite Government’s investigation, 2016). If the trend continues without provision of solution things can go out of hand and leads to war which will affect the development of this Nation.

Crises in Nigeria particularly, religious crises has affected the growth and development of communities and people in particular and economy in general. Many lives have been cut short, properties worth millions of naira destroyed innocent Nigerians displaced and turned refugees in their father’s land. Farmers have deserted their farm land as a result of violence, the artisans can no longer work due to instability and violence. This problem has not only crippled economic activities but has also debarred sustainable development. The attendant effect of this unpalatable situation manifest in poverty, joblessness, low productivity, low income and poor infrastructural facilities. In 1979, the Federal Government in an attempt to resolve, promote unity among the various religious ethnic groups in Nigeria, established the National Youth Services Corps (N.Y.S.C.) and some Federal Institutions to ensure cohesion among its religious ethnic groups. Despite these various attempts by the government, not much has been achieved in terms of peaceful co-existence amongst the various religious groups and economic development. In view of this, the paper examines the effects of religious crisis on economic development with a view to finding lasting solution capable of addressing this avoidable problem.

1.3     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY  

The general objective of this study is to examine the role of the Nigerian youth on religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. The specific objectives include the following:

1.     To ascertain the perception of Nigerian youth on the necessity of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

2.     To find out if Nigerian youth are advocates for religious tolerance.

3.     To determine the influence of education on the attitude of Nigerian youth on religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

4.     To determine the impact of government on the attitude of Nigerian youth on religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

5.     To find out the awareness of Nigerian youth on the prevalence of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

1.4     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The relevant research questions related to this study include the following:

1.     What is the perception of Nigerian youth on the necessity of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence?

2.     Are Nigerian youth advocates for religious tolerance in Nigeria?

3.     What is the influence of education on the attitude of Nigerian youth on religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence?