The Conflict between Herders and Farmers in the Middle-Belt Nigeria

Essay from the year 2021 in the subject Politics - Region: Africa, grade: A, , language: English, abstract: This paper advances a scan of interfaith concept as an enduring harmony among the divergent ethnic groups in Nigeria. In doing this, the paper takes cognizance the problem of ethnic agitations and conflicts in Nigeria, the causes of ethnic and religious crisis, an understanding of interfaith concept and its actors, and advances arguments for the fact that the inadequacies of interfaith concept notwithstanding, it is an enduring philosophy that can be activated by Nigeria for the enhancement of stable, secured and peaceful relations among the diverse ethnic nationalities. This paper advances a philosophy of ethnic and religious tolerance in view of the fact that despite the diversity in tribes and faith, we share the same humanity and that it is only on the basis of this tolerance and the mutual respect for one another's faith that the peace and unity that is both necessary and imperative for national development and nation building can be attained. The history of ethnicity and ethnic conflicts in Nigeria are also traced back to the colonial transgressions that forced the ethnic groups of the northern and southern provinces to become an entity called Nigeria in 1914. This generated hatred and conflict among different ethnic groups. The task of addressing this seed of conflict planted by the British has been a complex one. These conflicts, as it were and as it is, possessed within themselves the tendency of hampering the peace and collective existence of Nigeria if not checked and curtail. This notwithstanding, a stable, secured, and peaceful relations among the diverse and heterogeneous ethnic groups in Nigeria for sustainable development is timely and imperative. In such a time, in the history of the nation as this, when the nation is confronted and affronted with numerous challenges of national development that have to a large extent threatened our collective existence, the need to de-emphasis those things the divides us and to emphasize those things that units becomes more glaring and crystal clear. This thinking is based on the fact that without a peaceful relation between the diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria, there can be no secured and stable Nigeria and without a stable and secured Nigeria, the much-needed development and the change that have been clamoured for by Nigerians will amount to a mirage.

Dr. Alloy S. Ihuah is Professor of Philosophy, Benue State University, Makurdi - Nigeria. He holds the Membership of many Learned Societies; World Council on Values, African Studies Association (ASA), USA, Council for Research in Values and Philosophy (CRVP), International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP), Association of Philosophy Professionals of Nigeria (APPON) which he is the serving National President. He is also a member of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (MNAL) and a Member of the Knight of Columbus (KofC). Professor Alloy Ihuah, is winner of the 2014 Asante award for Outstanding Research of the University of Georgia, USA. He researches and publishes in African/Inter-Cultural Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Existentialism.