CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Nigeria, as one of the world's emerging economies, is one of the countries with the most pronounced ethnic pluralism.The country has more than two hundred and fifty (250) different ethnic groups whose customs and values vary greatly. However, this has produced a lot of rivalries among the ethnic groups in Nigeria, culminating in bloodshed and conflicts. Ethnic conflicts have become the serious concern of our times, arriving as a result of the distribution of finite resources, multiculturalism, religion, and the militarization of ethnicity, among others. Given the international importance of peace and the consequences of conflict, it is clear that peace education is critical to the sustainability of any nation's socioeconomic development and, as a result of the benefits to be gained from its incorporation into the educational system, it deserves widespread recognition.UNICEF (1999) defines Peace Education as the process of promoting the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to bring about behaviour changes that will enable children, young people and adults to prevent conflict and violence, both overt and structural, to resolve conflict peacefully, and to create the conditions conducive to peace, whether at interpersonal, intergroup, national or international levels. Peace education is aimed at eliminating conflict and living peacefully in society. Peace strives for justice and fairness, equity, trust, friendship, mutual respect, communication, a single aspiration and similar aspects. Peace building, as the core message of peace education, requires finding and supporting indices and structures which will consolidate peace and will allow trust to promote interaction and prevent the recurrence of conflict (Dibal, 2011). (Dibal, 2011). Peace education is a necessary tool to be used to plant and nurture The tradition ofPeace involves a set of values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tickling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations (Galtung and Ogunyemi, 2006). (Galtung in Ogunyemi, 2006). He went further to highlight the conditions for a peace and non-violence culture to prevail:: fostering a culture of peace through education, promoting sustainable economic and social development, promoting respect for all human rights, ensuring equality between women and men, and also fostering democratic participation in peace.

Peace education in school will inspire the child to cultivate peaceful values. The child will grow up to be non-violent and respect human rights and accept democracy. Its inculcation into the school curriculum will help to focus on the core ideals of democracy, large generosity of mind, caring and compassion. According to Dibal (2011), UNESCO believes that peace education for the twenty-first century should focus on providing learners with knowledge, values, and skills, with a focus on better understanding and appreciation of other cultures, mutual respect, and contributing to the goals of the world's decades of cultural development.If other people’s cultures were recognized, the issue of ethnic strife would be alleviated as members would dwell safely and live together in harmony. Oluwagbohunmi, Osalusi and AbduRaheem (2013) appreciated the need to educate the young ones about people’s culture and values with the belief that this is going to promote healthy relationships among members of society and it will go a long way to instilling in young people the importance of respecting other people’s rights and values/beliefs. They believe that teaching peace education in Nigerian schools will significantly help our youths develop better attitudes that despise and abhor violence in society.Furthermore, peace education is a great vehicle for development. Without peace, people’s attention will be disrupted and they can not concentrate on anything significant and worthwhile. Apart from this, crises harm the socio-economic growth of the country as this will go a long way to preventing industrialists from creating enterprises, and therefore, foreign investors will not want to come and also those on the ground may want to go away. More so, there is likely to be a rise in capital flight from both local and foreign investors and, lastly, on the part of the government, many capital votes and other non-budgeting allocation/expenses will be spent on security.

1.2 Statement of problem

Ethnic conflicts can take many forms, and their manifestations can emerge from various aspects of Nigerian society.It could emerge in the sphere of religion, the economy, education, the military, politics, and among professionals. From the economic aspect, members of ethnic groups who have gained a higher position in their chosen career use such opportunities to deliver better economic benefits to their group members. Others affect the location of specific industries in their ethnic milieu without considering the suitability of such industries in the area. In terms of religion, the country has seen a number of ethnic wars as a result of religion.The present wave of Boko Haram insurgence in the country is an important example. Many lives and properties have been lost in the course of this. The two largest religions in the country view themselves as superior to each other. Furthermore, among the same religious community, ethnic antagonism still appears. This was properly observed by Omotosho (2008) that Muslims from the northern portion of the country will not allow a fellow Muslim Southerner to lead prayer in the northern mosque based on the idea that a non-Hausa is not qualified to do so and vice versa. Ethnic conflict among professionals affects many professions in the country, including the military and business.Military recruiting and coup d’etat in the country have always been ethnic colouration to establish ethnic supremacy other ethnic groups in the country. Businessmen and women of various ethnic groups have been observed arguing about a variety of issues, with ethnic considerations usually being identified as the root cause.For instance, Hausa and Yoruba clashed in Ibadan in 1999 in Bodija Market over cattle (Omotosho, 2008). (Omotosho, 2008). The continual eruption of ethnic conflict resulting in violence in Nigeria has highlighted the failure of the government and its institutions tasked with the responsibility of conflict management and the prevention of violence. As a result, it is critical to look beyond government and institutional solutions to solve the problem, such as not allowing disputes to escalate into violence, which results in the deaths of thousands of people and the destruction of property worth millions of Naira.Among numerous cures, the best is the impartation of knowledge that is aimed at changing the ideas and the attitudes of people toward their fellow Nigerians, and not caring about their ethnic background. This may be best accomplished by establishing Peace Education Programs in our schools, ranging from primary schools to higher education institutions.

1.3 Objective of study

The following are primary objectives of this study:

1. To examine the causes of ethnic conflict.

2. To look into the relationship between peace education and sustainable development.

3. To examine the impact of peace education as a strategy through which ethnic conflicts can be resolved.

1.4 Research questions

1. What are the causes of ethnic conflict?

2. What is the relationship between peace education and sustainable development?

3. What is the impact of peace education as a strategy through which an ethnic conflict can be resolved?

1.5 Significance of study

This study will be of significance to the government for the adoption of an acceptable technique/strategy by which ethnic conflict can be resolved and possibly curtailed through the introduction of peace education in Nigeria. Education, as a dynamic agent of change, holds the key to resolving all problems.Citizens will be educated on international human rights and equity principles, cultural diversity, and respect for each other's rights.Such learning can only be attained with systematic education for peace. Furthermore, the maintenance and promotion of peace and peaceful cohabitation for all-round development is the responsibility of all Nigerians. Since conflict can not be avoided in every community, it is always essential to take steps to control it so as not to prolong violence. The correct moment is now for the government to introduce peace at all levels of education, considering the enormity of the problems that may unravel if we refuse to confront the subject of ethnic violence in Nigeria.

1.6 Scope of study

This study is focused on examining the causes of ethnic conflict. It also seeks to look into the relationship between peace education and sustainable development. Lastly, to examine the impact of peace education as a strategy through which ethnic conflicts can be resolved in Nigeria.

1.7 Limitation of study

Availability of materials, finance and time constraints to combine research work and academic work were major challenges the researcher encountered during this research.

1.7 Definition of terms

Peace education: Peace education is the process of acquiring values, knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors to live in harmony with oneself, others, and the natural environment.

Sustainable development:Sustainable development is an organizing principle for meeting human development goals while simultaneously sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services on which the economy and society depend.

Ethnic conflict: ethnic conflict is a conflict between two or more contending ethnic groups. While the source of the conflict may be political, social, economic or religious, the individuals in conflict must expressly fight for their ethnic group's position within society.

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