British Colonial Legacy and Ethno-Cultural Conflicts in Takum, Taraba State, North-eastern Geo-political Zone, Nigeria 1914-2008

ABSTRACT The study examined British Colonial Legacy and Ethno-cultural Conflicts in Takum, Taraba North Eastern Geo-political Zone Nigeria. Takum has experienced consistent ethno-cultural conflict which destroyed lives and property and equally resulted in growth retardation and further prevent industrial growth and any form of developmental project. Three specific objectives guided this study and these were; (i) to examine the level of British colonial legacy and Ethno-cultural conflicts in Takum Taraba State, North-Eastern geopolitical Zone Nigeria, (ii) to assess the nature of ethno-cultural conflicts in Takum, Taraba State, NorthEastern Geopolitical Zone Nigeria (iii) to proffer solutions to the ethno-cultural conflicts in Takum Taraba State, North-Eastern Geopolitical Zone Nigeria. The target population was 665 from which a sample size of 250 was derived. The findings revealed that British colonial legacy has negative consequences to the community such as high colonial domination, increased political tussle and economic manipulations and increased interference in traditional issues and ambiguous overlapping jurisdiction in Takum and Ussa, Taraba State North-Eastern Geopolitical Zone Nigeria. The researcher concluded that there has been struggle among the various ethnic nationalities in the country over control of political power and natural resources which led to the Civil War of 1967-1970 since Nigeria‘s democracy is characterized by ethnic-based politics and especially Takum. The researcher recommended that; both the Federal and State government of Nigeria should put in place strategies for the reorientation, sensitization of the Nigerian leaders in Takum. The contribution to knowledge indicated that; it is the failure of the leaders in Takum to meet the demands of these ethnic nationalities that has always manifested in agitation that time and again leads to conflicts. In addition to the above, symposium, dialogue for consensus, seminar/workshops, equity, job creation, integration among others ought to be put in place by all the levels of government inorder to ensure peaceful coexistence, growth and meaningful development in Takum.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION............................................................................................ I

APPROVAL.................................................................................................II

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..............................................................................III

DEDICATION............................................................................................. IV

LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................... V

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................ IX

CHAPTER ONE ...........................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................1

1. 0 Introduction .............................................................................................1

1.1 Background to the Study .............................................................................1

1.1.1 Historical Perspective...............................................................................1

1.1.2 Theoretical Perspective.............................................................................3

1.1.3 Conceptual Perspective.............................................................................6

1.1.4 Contextual Perspective .............................................................................8

1.2 Problem Statement .....................................................................................9

1.3 Purpose of the Study.................................................................................10

1.4 Objectives of the Study .............................................................................10

1.5 Research Questions ..................................................................................10

1.6 Scope of the Study ...................................................................................11

1.6.1. Geographical Scope ..............................................................................11

1.6.2 Content Scope ......................................................................................11

1.6.3 Time Scope ..........................................................................................11

1.7 Significance of the Study...........................................................................11

CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................13

LITERATURE REVIEW ...............................................................................13

2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................13

2.1 Theoretical Review ..................................................................................13

2.2 Conceptual Framework .............................................................................17

2.3 Review Of Related Literature .....................................................................18

2.3.1 Level Of British Colonial Legacy In Takum, Taraba State, North-Eastern GeoPolitical Zone, Nigeria ...................................................................................18

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2.3.2 Nature Of Ethno-Cultural Conflicts In Takum, Taraba State, North-Eastern 

Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria ............................................................................25

2.3.3 To Proffer Solutions To The Ethno-Cultural Conflict In Takum, Taraba State, 

North-Eastern Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria.........................................................32

2.4 Research Gaps.........................................................................................40

CHAPTER THREE.....................................................................................41

METHODOLOGY........................................................................................41

3.0 Introduction ............................................................................................41

3.1 Research Design ......................................................................................41

3.2 Research Population .................................................................................41

3.3 Sample Size ............................................................................................42

3.4 Sample Procedures/Technique(S)................................................................43

3.5 Research Instruments................................................................................43

3.5.1 Questionnaires......................................................................................43

3.5.2. Interviews...........................................................................................43

3.6 Validity And Reliability ............................................................................44

3.6.1 Validity ...............................................................................................44

3.6.2 Reliability............................................................................................44

3.7 Data Gathering Procedures ........................................................................45

3.8 Data Analysis..........................................................................................45

3.9 Ethical Considerations ..............................................................................46

3.10 Limitations Of The Study.........................................................................46

CHAPTER FOUR.......................................................................................48

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION .......................48

4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................48

4.1 Demographic Characteristics Of The Respondents..........................................48

4.2 Objective One; Level Of British Colonial Legacy In Takum, Taraba State, NorthEastern Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria..................................................................50

4.3 Objective Two; The Nature Of Ethno-Cultural Conflicts In Takum Taraba State, 

North-Eastern Geopolitical Zone Nigeria...........................................................54

4.4 Objective Three; To Proffer Solutions To The Ethno-Cultural Conflicts In Takum 

Taraba State, North-Eastern Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria ......................................58

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CHAPTER FIVE ........................................................................................59

DISCUSSIONS, CONLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..........................59

5.1 Discussions.............................................................................................59

5.1.1 Level Of British Colonial Legacy In Takum, Taraba State, North-Eastern GeoPolitical Zone, Nigeria ...................................................................................59

5.1.2 The Nature of Ethno-Cultural Conflicts In Takum, Taraba State, North-Eastern 

Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria ............................................................................61

5.1.3 Objective Three: To Proffer Solutions to The Ethno-Cultural Conflicts In 

Takum Taraba State, North-Eastern Geo-Political Zone Nigeria.............................62

5.2 Conclusions............................................................................................62

5.2.1 Objective One; Level Of British Colonial Legacy In Takum, Taraba State, 

North-Eastern Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria.........................................................62

5.2.2 Objective Two; Nature Of Ethno-Cultural Conflicts In Takum, Taraba State, 

North-Eastern Geopolitical Zone, Nigeria ..........................................................63

5.2.3 Objective Three: to Proffer Solutions To The Ethno-Cultural Conflicts In 

Takum, Taraba State, North-Eastern Geo-Political Zone, Nigeria ...........................63

5.3 Recommendation .....................................................................................64

5.4 Contribution to Knowledge........................................................................64

5.5 Areas for Further Research ........................................................................65

REFERENCE.............................................................................................66

APPENDICES ............................................................................................78

APPENDIX 1: QUESTIONNAIRES (RESEARCH INSTRUMENT) ....................78

APENDIX II: LEVEL OF BRITISH COLONIAL LEGACY .................................80

APENDIX III: ETHNO-CULTURAL CONFLICTS...........................................81

APPENDIX IV INTERVIEW SCHEDULES ....................................................83

APPENDIX V: TRANSMITTAL LETTER ......................................................84

APPENDIX VI: MAP OF TARABA...............................................................85

APPENDIX VII: MAP OF TAKUM ..............................................................86