ABSTRACT
One of the greatest threat facing the survival of Nigeria democracy and unity is insecurity occasioned by various communal conflicts. Communal conflicts in Nigeria are caused by competition over access to land and other natural resources. For over the years Yakurr local government area of cross river state Central senatorial district have been enmeshed in communal conflicts, resulting into huge human and economic loss. The study assessed communal conflicts and rural development in Yakurr local government area of cross river state, Nigeria. The protracted conflict theory by Karl Marx was used to underpin the study. The study adopted survey research design, where both primary and secondary were used. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages, while chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. The study established that the protracted nature of the conflict in Yakurr local government area is as a result of non-implementations of the various committees/panels recommendations, the study also revealed that, the strategies adopted by the state government are not suitable for the management of the communal conflicts. Hence, the study recommended a supportive measures to the existing approach for conflict management in the area. Cross river state Government should adequately utilize peace talks as a strategy for the management of communal conflicts in the understudied areas and cross river state government should demonstrate its political will by implementing the recommendations of the committees‟ set-up by both state, researchers and the local government.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE i
DECLARATION ii
CERTIFICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
ABSTRACT v
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES ix
CHAPTER ONE:
1.1 Background to the study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 7
1.3 Statement of Hypotheses 8
1.4 Research Questions 8
1.5 Objectives of the Study 9
1.6 Significance of the Study 9
1.7 Scope of the Study 10
1.8Definition of Terms 10
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1 Introduction 11
2.1.1 Causes of Communal Conflict in Nigeria 12
2.1.2Communal Conflict and Rural Development 14
2.1.3Local Government and Conflict Resolution 19
2.1.4Additional Support to the Existing Mechanism for Conflict Resolution23
2.2 Theoretical Framework 24
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design 28
3.2 Study Area 29
3.3 Population of the Study 30
3.4 Sources of Data Collection 31
3.5 Sample and Size Sampling Technique 31
3.6 Research Instrument 32
3.6.1 Validity of Research Instrument 32
3.6.2Administration of Research Instrument 33
3.7 Method of Data Analysis 33
CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF DATA AND DISCUSION
OF FINDINGS
4.1 Data Presentation 34
4.2 Analysis and discussion of findings 39
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary 60
5.2 Conclusion 61
5.3 Recommendations 62
REFERENCES