CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NIGERIA: THE PROSPECT AND CHALLENGES FOR PEACE (A Case Study of Ife and Modakeke Crisis, Osun State)

ABSTRACT

 The conflict between the Ife and Modakeke appears to be a protracted and seemingly intractable intra-ethnic conflict that has continued to pit two groups of the same ethnic background against one another. This study, therefore examined the conflict resolution in Nigeria: the prospect and challenges for peace. The study found that the major causes of the conflict between Ife and Modakeke group include land issues, Ife-East Local Government, debate over Modakeke’s sovereignty, boundary disagreement etc. This study discovered that one of the shortcomings of the past methods of managing the Ife-Modakeke conflict is inability of bringing succour to the minds of those who records losses during the war. To effectively carry out this research, data was collected in form of questionnaire from respondents who are people of Ife and Modakeke. (150) one hundred and fifty questionnaire were administered, (137) one hundred and thirty seven copies were returned and (135) one hundred and thirty five copies are used. After critical analysis of the data collected, findings revealed that conflict is indeed an inevitable aspect of human interaction. There is the need to learn to manage them and deal with them in a way that prevents escalation and destruction, and to arrive at new, innovative, and creative ideas to resolve them. 

Key word: Violence, Ife-Modakeke, Conflict Management, Crisis and Insecurity. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title     Page

DeclarationI

CertificationII

DedicationIII

AcknowledgementIV

Abstract V

Table of ContentVI

CHAPTER ONE

Background to the Study1

Statement of the Research Problem2

Objectives of the Study 3

Research Questions4

1.5Research Hypothesis4

1.6Significance of the Study5

1.7Scope and Limitations of the Study5

1.8Limitation of the Study5

1.9Definition of Terms6

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1Preamble8

2.2Review of Related Literature8

2.2.1Concept of Conflict8

2.2.2Traditional Origin of the People of Ife and Modakeke9

2.2.3Historical Overview of Ife – Modakeke Conflict11

2.2.4The Causes of Conflicts between Ife and Modakeke14

2.2.5The Effect of Ife – Modakeke15

2.2.6Attempted Solutions to Curb the Crisis15

2.2.7Alternative instrument Used17

2.2.8How It Was Finally Resolved19

2.3Theoretical Framework of the Study20

2.3.1The Contact Theory20

2.3.2The Frustration- Aggression Theory21

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1Preamble24

3.2Research Design24

Population of the Study 24

Sampling Size and Sampling Techniques24

Sources of Data Collections 25

Data Collection Instrument26

3.6.2Administration of Data Collection Instrument26

3.7Method of Data Analysis 26

3.8Validation and Reliability of Instruments27

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS PRESENTATION

4.1Preamble29

Analysis of Respondents’ Characteristics and Classifications29

Analysis of Individual Research Statement31

Test of Hypothesis37

Discussion of the Findings44

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1Summary46

5.2Conclusion 47

5.3Recommendations48

References58

Appendixpeace