CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

National integration is the awareness of a common identity amongst the citizens of a country (Gambari, 2008). Similarly, national integration is the process of unifying a society which tends to make it a harmonious city, based upon an order its members regard as equitably harmonious (Ojo, 2009). It is a feeling that binds the citizens of a country. The job is to inculcate knowledge of the country, pride, in it and respect for the best in the national, environment, aspirations, traditions, and a wish to improve our country. National integration aims at fostering increasing respect and affection for those belonging to other cultural and ethnic groups (Bandyopadhyay and Green, 2009).

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitation of the study and Definition of terms.

1.2 Background of Study

In Nigeria, the processes of national integration started with the amalgamation of northern and southern protectorates which was a replica of Catholic marriage which may not be palatable but cannot be separated easily. Therefore, efforts have been on ground at building a country with national outlook. Some of the steps started during the colonial era.

The issues of security of lives and property has attracted global attention in the 21st century hardly would a month pass without hearing cases of security threats in term of terrorism, insurgency or civil strife. Lately, Nigeria has been enmeshed in a fire box of insecurity leading to score of deaths of innocent civilians, foreigners; some members of the Nation’s security personnel, elected official and many government workers. The number of violent crime such as kidnappings, ritual killings, political-motivated killing and violence, clashes, armed banditry and other has increasingly become the regular signature that characterizes life in Nigeria.

Since 2009 (Imhonopi and Urim, 2012), government has tried everything from “force for force” to carrot and stick approach to diplomacy but the problem seems to rise with greater non strosity like the proverbial phoenix. There has also been strong advocacy for a multi stake holder intervention to the insecurity question rather than learn on military options alone (Imhonopi & Urim, 2013; open society, 2012, Uyomu, 2001), but the problem has defined the present medication. It is getting. This may not be unconnected with increasing ethnic hate, religious bigotry, political rivalry and a growing population of disgruntled citizens in the country who feel that they have been short changed and given very limited or no access to the common patrimony.

Egwu (2001) had made this observation when he argued that the primordial tendencies of various ethnic groups towards violence, the perennial eruption of various ethnic militias and the dominant religious establishment in Nigeria, have inevitably aggravated the scale and propensity of insecurity and widened the scope in various ramifications. Not only has the continued state of insecurity threatened the very fabric of national integration in the country and created the ecology of fear, disquiet and anxiety, it has also meted a deadly blow or what Imhonomi & Urim (2012) call “spectral bite” to industrial development. The destruction to the badly needed infrastructure has taken the country many years backwards. The government has continued to trudge on in the face of this during challenge and has continued to evolve strategies to contain or douse this conflagration mean while social researchers, scholar’s security experts and consultants have also not rested in making diverse recommendation and probable solution to address this national blight.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Challenges and Prospects of National Integration.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that the insecurity challenge in Nigeria has assumed a worrisome dimension that not only requires a multi stake holder approach, as it is being touted in various quarters in quelling this conflagration threatening Nigeria's state hood, but also necessitates a revival and reinforcement of moral values and virtues.

The thirst for blood and the preference for violence in expressing frustration and disenchantment with the state, it citizens and national totems may be a pointer to the need to revive moral value and virtues within the socio-economic, political religious and education institution in the country.

Nigeria leaders, politicians and their a man corners must be forced to evince and uphold moral values and virtues in all their conduct on order to lead by example and to avoid heating up the policy unnecessarily by their conduct and comments which sometimes incite violence in their followers.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Challenges and Prospects of National Integration in Nigeria using Central Senatorial District of Kogi State as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the factors affecting the integration of National Security in the area under review;
2. To find out the possible solution towards the present security condition in the area under review;
3. To investigate the effect of security challenges on national integration; and
4. To determine the recommended strategies for national integration in the area under study.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are there factors affecting the integration of National Security in the study area?
• Can adequate security engender national integration?
• Does government empower security agencies in Nigeria?
• What is the effect of security challenges on national integration?
• What are the recommended strategies for national integration in the study area?
• What is the possible solution towards the present security condition in the area under review?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant security factor affecting national integration in the area under review
• H1: There is a significant security factor affecting national integration in the area under review

1.7 Significance of Study

The importance of this work is to allow us to know the activities of people towards national integration. The study is significant because it teach the students the effects of the present security state and national integration in Nigeria. Also, It will be of benefit to the government parastatals in orders to correct impediments in various sectors so as to ensure good leadership as well as rapid development.

This study will be of benefit to the society at large, citizens or followers to contribute their quota towards national development and good leadership. It will enable us to know the root of the problem as a leader who have the interest and adopt to understand the imperative and to discipline concept of where we want to go as a people and their sense of mission to stay on the path and achieve greatness.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Challenges and Prospects of National Integration in Nigeria using Central Senatorial District of Kogi State as a case study.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research Material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
4. Lack of Initial Cooperation from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.

1.10 Definition of Terms

National Integration:

This refers to efforts to bring people or people together for the purpose of achieving common objective.