Nigerian
Cultural Patterns and IT’S Historical Origin: SSE 306 3 CREDIT UNIT
Course Content/Course
Outline
1.
A
study of the Nigerian social and cultural relations:
2.
Sports
and culture,
3.
Utilization and Conservation of resources and
4.
loyalty to the nation
Nigerian
Cultural Patterns and Historical Origin
Culture is the sum of
total of the learned behavior of a group of people that are generally
considered to be the tradition of that people and are transmitted from
generation to generation. Moreover, culture is a collective programming of the mind that
distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another.
Culture consists of
patterns, explicit and implicit, of and for behavior acquired and transmitted
by symbols, constituting the distinctive achievement of human groups, including
their embodiments in artifacts; the essential core of culture consists of
traditional ideas and especially their attached values; culture systems may, on
the one hand, be considered as products of action, on the other hand, as
conditioning influences upon further action.
According
to Mezieobi, culture is the compendium of man’s ways of life, language and
medium of communication. (Mezieobi in Ireyefoju, 2010: 236) Culture is the arts and other manifestations of
human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. Culture is the ideas, customs,
and social behaviour of a particular people or society. Culture is
the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing
language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts. The word "culture"
derives from a French term, which in turn derives from the Latin
"colere," which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation
and nurture. Culture of the people in a nation depicts their attitudes,
philosophies, skills, value, knowledge and disposition to unfolding events and
issues in their social environment. Nigerians rich cultural heritage that
comprises various ethnic groups can be harnessed to education, peace building,
tourism, promotion of our traditional values, and inculcation of basic norms,
ethics ideals with people who share their identity cultural beliefs.
A
synthesis of the components of culture as empirical is summarized in a simple
phrase – “a way of life”. Hence to Oruka (Oruka& Masolo, 1983, p57),
culture is a people’s body of knowledge, beliefs, behavior, goals, social
institutions, together with tools, techniques and material constructions.
The centrality of
culture in overall national development, progress and integration in Nigeria
will be part of our discussions. Whenever we promote culture through Social
Studies it emphasizes national unity. The study is a very good one that tries
to let us know that we are one no matter what the differences is that we cannot
do without each other.
The rich cultural
heritage of the multiplicity of ethnic groups that constitute the state of
Nigeria can be harnessed for tourism, education, peace building, promotion of
traditional values, which supposedly are loaded with qualitative morals
adequate for positive upbringing, inculcation of basic norms and ethics ideal
for convivial social interrelationship with people who share or do not share
identical cultural beliefs in geopolitical entity (Mezieobi, 2014).
Social Studies
Educations advocates cultural accommodation, cultural knowledge acquisition
through content of instruction and the patriotic need in achieving Nigeria’s
national goals despite our cultural diversities, implying that the spirit of
achieving corporate nationhood should be exalted at all times above ethnic
interest, which has continued to confront the stability of democratic and
undemocratic governance within the people of Nigeria.
Nigeria and their culture
Identification: Though there is archaeological evidence that societies have been living in Nigeria for more than twenty-five hundred years, the borders of modern Nigeria were not created until the British consolidated their colonial power over the area in 1914.
The name Nigeria was suggested by British journalist Flora Shaw in the 1890s. She referred to the area as Nigeria, after the Niger River, which dominates much of the country's landscape. The word Niger is Latin for black.
More than 250 ethnic tribes call present-day Nigeria home. The three largest and most dominant ethnic groups are the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo (pronounced ee-gbo). Other smaller groups include the Fulani, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv, Enuani, Ika, Ndokwa, Okpe, Urhobo, Isekiri, Isoko, Edo Fulfulde etc. Prior to their conquest by Europeans, these ethnic groups had separate and independent histories. Their grouping together into a single entity known as Nigeria was a construct of their British colonizers. These various ethnic groups never considered themselves part of the same culture. This general lack of Nigerian nationalism coupled with an ever-changing and often ethnically based on national leadership, have led to severe internal ethnic conflicts and a civil war. Today bloody confrontations between or among members of different ethnic groups continue.
Location and Geography: Nigeria is in West Africa, along the eastern coast of the Gulf of Guinea, and just north of the equator. It is bordered on the west by Benin, on the north by Niger and Chad, and on the east by Cameroon. Nigeria covers an area of 356,669 square miles (923,768 square kilometers), or about twice the size of California.
Nigeria has three main environmental regions: savanna, tropical forests, and coastal wetlands. These environmental regions greatly affect the cultures of the people who live there. The dry, open grasslands of the savanna make cereal farming and herding a way of life for the Hausa and the Fulani. The wet tropical forests to the south are good for farming fruits and vegetables are main income producers for the Yoruba, Igbo, and others in this area. The small ethnic groups living along the coast, such as the Ijaw and the Kalabari, are forced to keep their villages small due to lack of dry land. Living among creeks, lagoons, and salt marshes makes fishing and the salt trade part of everyday life in the area.
The Niger and Benue Rivers come together in the center of the country, creating a "Y" that splits Nigeria into three separate sections. In general, this "Y" marks the boundaries of the three major ethnic groups, with the Hausa in the north, the Yoruba in the southwest, and the Igbo in the southeast.
Politically, Nigeria is divided into thirty-six states. The nation's capital was moved from Lagos, the country's largest city, to Abuja on 12 December 1991. Abuja is in a federal territory that is not part of any state. While Abuja is the official capital, its lack of adequate infrastructure means that Lagos remains the financial, commercial, and diplomatic center of the country.
Demography: Nigeria has the largest population of any African country. In July 2000, Nigeria's population was estimated at more than 123 million people. At about 345 people per square mile, it is also the most densely populated country in Africa. Nearly one in six Africans is a Nigerian. Despite the rampages of AIDS, Nigeria's population continues to grow at about 2.6 percent each year. The Nigerian population is very young. Nearly 45 percent of its people are under age fourteen. With regard to ethnic breakdown, the Hausa-Fulani make up 29 percent of the population, followed by the Yoruba with 21 percent, the Igbo with 18 percent, the Ijaw with 10 percent, the Kanuri with 4 percent, the Ibibio with 3.5 percent, and the Tiv with 2.5 percent. Major urban centers include Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
Linguistic Affiliation: English
is the official language of Nigeria, used in all government interactions and in
state-run schools. In a country with more than 250 individual tribal languages,
English is the only language common to most people.
Unofficially,
the country’s second language is Hausa. In northern Nigeria many people who are
not ethnic Hausas speak both Hausa and their own tribal language. Hausa is the
oldest known written language in West Africa, dating back to before
1000 C.E.
The
dominant indigenous languages of the south are Yoruba and Igbo. Prior to
colonization, these languages were the unifying languages of the southwest and
southeast, respectively, regardless of ethnicity. However, since the coming of
the British and the introduction of mission schools in southern Nigeria,
English has become the language common to most people in the area. Today those
who are not ethnic Yorubas or Igbos rarely speak Yoruba or Igbo.
Pidgin,
a mix of African languages and English, also is common throughout southern
Nigeria. It basically uses English words mixed into Yoruba or Igbo grammar
structures. Pidgin originally evolved from the need for British sailors to find
a way to communicate with local merchants. Today it is often used in ethnically
mixed urban areas as a common form of communication among people who have not
had formal education in English
National Symbol: Because there is little feeling of national unity among Nigeria's people, there is little in terms of national symbolism. What exists was usually created or unveiled by the government as representative of the nation. The main national symbol is the country's flag. The flag is divided vertically into three equal parts; the center section is white, flanked by two green sections. The green of the flag represents agriculture, while the white stands for unity and peace. Other national symbols include the national coat of arms, the national anthem, the National Pledge (similar to the Pledge of Allegiance in the United States), and Nigeria's national motto: Peace and Unity, Strength and Progress.
History and Ethnic Relations
Emergence of the Nation: Every ethnic group in Nigeria has its own stories of where its ancestors came from. These vary from tales of people descending from the sky to stories of migration from far-off places. Archaeologists have found evidence of Neolithic humans who inhabited what is now Nigeria as far back as 12,000B.C.E.
The histories of the people in northern and southern Nigeria prior to colonization followed vastly different paths. The first recorded empire in present-day Nigeria was centered in the north at Kanem Borno, near Lake Chad. This empire came to power during the eighth century C.E. By the thirteenth century, many Hausa states began to emerge in the region as well.
Trans-Sahara trade with North Africans and Arabs began to transform these northern societies greatly. Increased contact with the Islamic world led to the conversion of the Kanem-Borno Empire to Islam in the eleventh century. This led to a ripple effect of conversions throughout the north. Islam brought with it changes in law, education, and politics.
The trans-Sahara trade also brought with it revolutions in wealth and class structure. As the centuries went on, strict Islamists, many of whom were poor Fulani, began to tire of increasing corruption, excessive taxation, and unfair treatment of the poor. In 1804 the Fulani launched a jihad, or Muslim holy war, against the Hausa states in an attempt to cleanse them of these non-Muslim behaviors and to reintroduce proper Islamic ways. By 1807 the last Hausa state had fallen. The Fulani victors founded the Sokoto Caliphate, which grew to become the largest state in West Africa until its conquest by the British in 1903.
In the south, the Oyo Empire grew to become the most powerful Yoruba society during the sixteenth century. Along the coast, the Edo people established the Benin Empire (not to be confused with the present-day country of Benin to the west), which reached its height of power in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
As in the north, outsiders heavily influenced the societies of southern Nigeria. Contact with Europeans began with the arrival of Portuguese ships in 1486. The British, French, and Dutch soon followed. Soon after their arrival, the trade in slaves replaced the original trade in goods. Many of the coastal communities began selling their neighbors, whom they had captured in wars and raids, to the Europeans in exchange for things such as guns, metal, jewelry, and liquor.
The slave trade had major social consequences for the Africans. Violence and intertribal warfare increased as the search for slaves intensified. The increased wealth accompanying the slave trade began to change social structures in the area. Leadership, which had been based on tradition and ritual, soon became based on wealth and economic power.
After more than 350 years of slave trading, the British decided that the slave trade was immoral and, in 1807, ordered it stopped. They began to force their newfound morality on the Nigerians. Many local leaders, however, continued to sell captives to illegal slave traders, this lead to confrontations with the British Navy, which took on the responsibility of enforcing the slave embargo. In 1851 the British attacked Lagos to try to stem the flow of slaves from the area. By 1861 the British government had annexed the city and established its first official colony in Nigeria.
As the non slave trade began to flourish, so, too, did the Nigerian economy. A new economy based on raw materials, agricultural products, and locally manufactured goods saw the growth of a new class of Nigerian merchants. These merchants were heavily influenced by Western ways. Many soon became involved in politics, often criticizing chiefs for keeping to their traditional ways. A new divide within the local communities began to develop, in terms of both wealth and politics. Because being a successful merchant was based on production and merit, not on traditional community standing, many former slaves and lower-class people soon found that they could advance quickly up the social ladder. It was not unusual to find a former slave transformed into the richest, most powerful man in the area.
Christian
missionaries brought Western-style education to Nigeria as Christianity quickly
spread throughout the south. The mission schools created educated African elite
who also sought increased contact with Europe and a Westernization of Nigeria.
In
1884, as European countries engaged in a race to consolidate their African
territories, the British Army and local merchant militias set out to conquer
the Africans who refused to recognize British rule. In 1914, after squelching
the last of the indigenous opposition, Britain officially established the
Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.
National Identity: The spread of
overt colonial control led to the first and only time that the ethnic groups in
modern Nigeria came together under a commonly felt sense of national identity.
The Africans began to see themselves not as Hausas, Igbos, or Yorubas, but as
Nigerians in a common struggle against their colonial rulers.
The
nationalistic movement grew out of some of the modernization the British had
instituted in Nigeria. The educated elite became some of the most outspoken
proponents of an independent Nigeria. These elite had grown weary of the harsh
racism it faced in business and administrative jobs within the government. Both
the elite and the uneducated also began to grow fearful of the increasing loss
of traditional culture. They began movements to promote Nigerian foods, names,
dress, languages, and religions.
Increased
urbanization and higher education brought large multiethnic groups together for
the first time. As a result of this coming together, the Nigerians saw that
they had more in common with each other than they had previously thought. This
sparked unprecedented levels of interethnic teamwork. Nigerian political
movements, media outlets, and trade unions whose purpose was the advancement of
all Nigerians, not specific ethnic groups, became commonplace.
As
calls for self-determination and a transfer of power into the hands of
Nigerians grew, Britain began to divest more power into the regional governments.
As a result of early colonial policies of divide and conquer, the regional
governments tended to be drawn along ethnic lines. With this move to greater
regional autonomy, the idea of a unified Nigeria became to crumble. Regionally
and ethnically based political parties sprang up as ethnic groups began to
wrangle for political influence.
Ethnic Relations
Nigeria
gained full independence from Britain on 1 October 1960, immediately following
independence, vicious fighting between and among political parties created
chaos within the fledgling democracy. On 15 January 1966 a group of army
officers, most of whom were Igbo, staged a military coup, killing many of the
government ministers from the western and northern tribes. Six months later,
northern forces within the military staged a countercoup, killing most of the
Igbo leaders. Anti-Igbo demonstrations broke out across the country, especially
in the north. Hundreds of Igbo’s were killed, while the rest fled to the
southeast.
On
26 May 1967 the Igbo-dominated southeast declared it had broken away from
Nigeria to form the independent Republic of Biafra. This touched off a bloody
civil war that lasted for three years. In 1970, on the brink of widespread
famine resulting from a Nigeria-imposed blockade, Biafra was forced to
surrender. Between five hundred thousand and two million Biafra’s civilians
were killed during the civil war, most dying from hunger and starvation, not
combat.
Following
the war, the military rulers encouraged a national reconciliation, urging
Nigerians to once again become a unified people. While this national
reconciliation succeeded in reintegrating the Biafra’s into Nigeria, it did not
end the problems of ethnicity in the country. In the years that followed,
Nigeria was continually threatened by disintegration due to ethnic fighting.
These ethnic conflicts reached their height in the 1990s.
After
decades of military rule, elections for a new civilian president were finally
held on 12 June 1993. A wealthy Yoruba Muslim named Moshood Abiola won the
elections, beating the leading Hausa candidate. Abiola won support not only
from his own people but from many non-Yoruba as well, including many Hausas.
This marked the first time since Nigeria's independence that Nigerians broke
from ethnically based voting practices. Two weeks later, however, the military
regime had the election results annulled and Abiola imprisoned. Many commanders
in the Hausa-dominated military feared losing control to a southerner. They
played on the nation's old ethnic distrusts, hoping that a divided nation would
be easier to control. This soon created a new ethnic crisis. The next five
years saw violent protests and mass migrations as ethnic groups again retreated
to their traditional homelands.
Sports
and Culture
Sports pertain
to any form of competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain
or improve physical ability and skills. Sports are physical contests pursued
for the goals ad challenges they entail. Sports are part of every culture past
and present, but each culture has its own definition or sports. The most useful
definitions are those that clarify the relationship of sports to play, games,
and contests. Sport is an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess
and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling,
wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing etc. sometimes sports are used to amuse
oneself with some pleasant pastime or recreation. Sports help to build society;
and for any society to survive, culture must be passed from one generation to
the other, in such a way that the claims of the society are given proper
attention over the wants of individuals. It is in record that there had been a
healthy social intercourse amongst the ethnic groups constituting the state of
Nigeria many decades of centuries which was in history. Nigerians relate very
well in sports, buying or appreciation of cultural arts of other ethnic groups
as dancing, cooking, dressing, music, language are adopted across ethnic
groups. Such people are the Igbos who dress like the Efik, some other ones are
the Edos who dress like the Hausas and other people like the Yorubas who love
Igbo music and style of dressing all these cuts across ethnic groups. In terms of marital life most Nigerian has
married across their ethnic groups this attribute is still insignificant.
According to Meziobi in Eboh and Ukpong (1993:208)
Nigerians are involved in National
sports festivals and National league; there are Nigerians who partake in sports
activities in other state that is not theirs. Most states often at times
organize national Arts Carnivals in Nigeria to showcase the cultural heritage
of ethnic groups in Nigeria. They showcase the carnival to make them viable at
national competition. Also school system promotes culture through the
environmental education. It is also appalling and disheartening that our
present governments don’t remember great sports men and women who had worked
hard and won laurels for the country thereby promoting the country’s image and
the pride of the nation.
Sport and culture can be seen to have similar identity.
Culture signifies the social, moral conduct, the norm and an acceptable
behavioural pattern of an individual within a society. Whereas, sport, serve as
role model, enabling the participants to retain the proper mental and physical
traits to be emulated by other members of society. It can be said to serve as
an appropriate channel through which the behaviour accepted by custom may be
regulated. This can be seen through the values and functions of both sports and
culture that are mutually related, and one may be used in place of the other in
this context. Otherwise culture is often used to emphasize the unique and
distinctive aspects of people’s custom and belief. How the Hausas think is
different from the way the Igbos, Calabari, Nupe, Idoma, British think or
behave. Culture is the totality of the
life-style of a people, which means a way of the life of a people and the instrumentalities
that help in making life worth-while or living (Agbo, 2011: 46).
Sports in developing societies are altogether a serious and
functional business. They are state controlled with specific utilitarian and
ideological designs associated with hygiene, health, defense, patriotism,
integration productivity international recognition, cultural identity and
nation building. Sports is said to have a revolutionary role of being an agent
of social change, with the state pilot (Omenma in Riordan, 1986:288).
The
Objectives of sustaining Nigeria’s social and cultural relations are as
follows:
Ø To broaden the boundaries of Nigeria’s culture or at best
promote cultural education
Ø To showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage
Ø For the promotion of national unity through interactive
social relationships among citizens in sports, arts or cultural activities
Ø Thereby encourage the spirit of nationalism and patriotism
among the youth and peace loving Nigeria.
Ø For achievement of national integration, which is ideal for
sustainable democratic governance in Nigeria
Ø For sensitizing the message of interrelationships in diverse
multi-ethnic society.
Ø To train our youth that poses qualities of leadership and
skills for the betterment of the nation
Ø To build up gap and values against national bitterness, destructions
of lives and property.
History of Sports in Nigeria
Nigerian
sports, was noted first in the 1950s. Nigeria had its first appearance in the
Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952, and its first victory in 1954, when Emmanuel
Ifeanjuna won a gold medal in the high jump at the Commonwealth games in
Cardiff. In 1962, the Nationals Sports Council was set up, and in 1971, the
National Sports Commission, and they had the following responsibilities (stated
exactly as is):
· To coordinate and integrate efforts to raise the standard of performance in sports in Nigeria.
· To encourage the development, organization and participation of sports in Nigeria.
· To make any arrangements on behalf of the States' Sports Councils for Competitions, technical assistance, etc.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria is the governing body for the
sport of athletics in Nigeria. It is a member of the Confederation of African
Athletics and the International Association of Athletics Federations. It was
founded as the Central Committee of the Amateur Athletic Association of Nigeria
in 1944.
In pre-colonial times the sport of wrestling was a vehicle for expressing individual and social identity, status, and prestige. British colonizers introduced other sports to Nigeria in the early 20th century; football (soccer), boxing, athletics (track and field), and tennis were spread through mission schools, railroad companies, the armed forces, and the colonial bureaucracy. After independence in 1960, the Nigerian government used domestic and international sporting events to foster a sense of national identity among the various ethnic groups and to gain global recognition.
Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Football Federation (formerly known as Nigeria Football Association until 2008) is Nigeria's football governing body. It was formally launched in 1945 and formed the first Nigerian national football team in 1949. It joined CAF in 1959 and FIFA in 1960. The NFF headquarters is located in the city of Abuja.
As of 2008 it organizes three leagues:
The Nigerian Premier League, the Amateur League and the Women's League, and five competitions,
including the Federation Cup and Women's Cup. Their next Election is slated for
2022. Nigeria has a rich history, and sports have
significantly added to these traditions, starting with Nigeria‘s oldest sport
called Dambe Boxing, a festival-held Hausa Martial Arts. Dambe Boxing involves
learning military skills in the early days, but the game is now only played as
a way of achieving personal reputation, displaying masculinity, and respecting
one ‘s family and village. (https://neoprimesport.com/12000/top-most-popular-sports-in-nigeria/)
Ever since, three centuries of
antiquity the Dambe is a form of traditional boxing associated with the Hausa
people that mainly inhabit the north of Nigeria, in the south of Niger
and in the southwest of Chad, in West Africa. Although there are many young
people in the cities who are looking for prestige, money or just for fun, they
immerse themselves in the Dambe world, even today. Most of the Dambe boxing
fighters still belong to the caste groups of the butchers. Hausa’s caste is
considered inferior, which in the twentieth century traveled to rural areas in
the harvest season where the corresponding parties were held, looking for a
fight with the locals as entertainment. Dambe was also traditionally practiced as a way for men to prepare
to go to war. Many of the techniques used in the Dambe refer to war.
Football is popular in Nigeria with a local
team, the Super Eagles, competing regularly for national titles.
The Nigeria national football team competes regularly for
international titles and many Nigerian footballers compete in Europe,
particularly in England.
Football is a national obsession in Nigeria. The national team, the Super Eagles, led by such outstanding players as Nwanko Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha, reached the World Cup finals in 1994, 1998, and 2002 and won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics. Likewise, the national women’s team has repeatedly reached the Women’s World Cup finals. The acclaim won by many Nigerian footballers playing abroad was mirrored by Hakeem Olajuwon, who became a superstar in the National Basketball Association in the United States, sparking widespread interest in the sport in Nigeria by the end of the 20th century. Nigerian boxers have also achieved international success, most notably middleweight and light-heavyweight world champion Richard Ihetu, who fought as “Dick Tiger.” Nigerians have excelled in boxing and athletics in the Olympic Games, to which the country sent its first team in 1952, in Helsinki.
Nigeria won the Olympic Gold in Atlanta
USA in boxing; Duncan Dokiwari (+91kg) won a bronze medal (in Atlanta USA)
1998. Nigeria had its 2nd World Cup
appearance (made it to the 1/8 Finals) and won the 11th African Athletics
Championship in Dakar (Nigeria collected 23 medals). They also finished 1st at
the 1998 African Women's Soccer Championship 1999. In boxing, Segun Ajose won a
gold medal, Jegbefu Albert and Eromosele Albert won silver medals each (in
South Africa) in 2000 Olympic. The Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports guides
a number of sports associations with administrative backup. Each association is
responsible for hosting and participating in all international sports
competitions.
Some sports
associations in Nigeria are as follows:
·
Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation
·
Athletics Federation of Nigeria
·
Badminton Federation of Nigeria
·
Bobsled & Skeleton Federation of Nigeria
·
Cycling Federation of Nigeria
·
Handball Federation of Nigeria
·
Karate Federation of Nigeria
·
Nigeria Auto Sports Association
·
Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association
·
Nigeria Basketball Federation
·
Nigeria Federation for Physically Disabled
·
Nigeria Paralympics Committee
·
Nigeria Polo Sports Federation
·
Nigeria Rowing Canoe & Sailing Federation
·
Nigeria Shooting Sport Federation
·
Nigeria Table Tennis Federation
·
Nigeria Tenpin Bowling Federation
·
Nigeria Weightlifting Federation
·
Nigeria Wrestling Federation
·
Sport Fishermen's Association Of Nigeria
·
Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria
·
The Nigerian Federation of Gymnastics
Importance of sports in our life
1.
Sports are very essential in every human life which keeps them
fit and fine and physical strength.
2.
It has a great importance
in each stage of life.
3.
It keeps the organ at alert and makes the heart stronger.
4.
It keeps the blood
pressure healthy and making the blood vessel to be clean.
5.
It reduces the sugar level and cholesterol regulations.
6.
It helps us to be free
from diseases.
7.
It improves the bones of
both old and young people.
8.
It unites people and promotes love and understanding
9.
Roles of Sport in National
development:
i.
Employment: It gives employment
opportunity since sports are big channel to make more money once you are
employed as a star on a very rich football clubs or other clubs, example;
footballers, volleyball, basketball, hockey, etc. you will automatically make
in life. Many youths are gainfully employed in different types of game more
especially in the developed countries like UK, USA, China, France, Germany and
in other African countries.
ii.
A Source of Revenue: Nowadays, sports
have become one of the most lucrative parts of the entertainment industry,
earning billions of dollars from various sources. Sports leagues and sports
teams profit from sponsorships, ticket revenues, transfers, stadium rentals,
broadcasting deals, merchandise, etc. Professional
sports generate massive amounts of revenue all over the world.
iii.
A source of National Integration: sports unites the people and give them one voice and a
sense of belonging. Sports have great potential for the promotion of
inter-provincial harmony and national integration in Nigeria by strengthening
the collective identity of the alienated segments of the society. it is a
formidable force at the national level which positively contribute to the formation
of national identity. Sports provide a medium for interaction and cultural
exchange to the people of diverse regions and different cultural backgrounds
for exchange of experiences which promote cordial relationship and mutual
understanding and strengthen sentiments of solidarity among the people. When we
talk of national solidarity it is the sense of unity and inclusiveness shared
by diverse segments of a composed political entity.
The
term integration consists of co-operation. Co-operation is an integrated action
of individuals or groups towards the achievement of some common purpose or
goal. Sports competitions, group competitions, inter-community sports contests,
intramural sports competitions, special programmes in the schools and at home
play a predominant role in developing the concept of national integration. The
spirit of brotherhood and friendship is fostered through games and sports.
Ideas, actions, reactions, behaviours and human movements acquire a unity of
colour and flavor at the sports field. The ideal of oneness springs up through
play. Physical education and sports create the principle of give and take
policy among the individuals. Education cannot be a happy affair unless the
teachers and the students co-operate or integrate with one another.
iv. It also promotes International Diplomacy: it is an important tool for resolving international conflicts and international diplomacy. Sport is a tool for achieving the foreign policy objective of most nations in diplomatic row. The unification of East and West Germany in 1989 was primarily achieved through the organization of international friendly football competition between the divided German nations. Youths, sports where used to ice the tempo of hatred and anger between the ruling elites, through sports, it dawn on the leaders that the younger generation can compete friendly, with little or no malice, putting aside class or national differences (Omenma, 2010:73) Helps in guiding the youth in proper direction.
The usefulness of athletics/sports
i. Builds and define the character of a nation
ii. Helps in building infrastructure
iii. Creating a global community
iv. Promoting physical and mental health as well as supporting education and improving social cohesion
v. Promotes peace and understanding of unity and integrity among different nations
vi. It builds love, friendship, and trust among people from different origins.
Sports is a nations pride i.e. when
gold medals and other gifts are won, it promotes the personality and the
country of the individual example Mary onyali, Amokachie, Sam okparji, Ogenyi,
Onazi, Mikel Obi, Amed Musa, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Mmaduka Okoye
etc.
Other top Athletes from Nigeria:
§
Hakeem Olajuwon (basketball)
§
Rashidi Yekini (football)
§
Nwankwo Kanu (Football)
§
Nojeem Maiyegun (Boxing)
§
Austin Okocha (Football)
§
Innocent Egbunike (Track & Field)
§
Chioma Ajunwa (Football, Track & Field)
§
Christian Chukwu/Segun Odegbami (Football)
§
Enefiok Udo-obong (Track & Field)
§
Mercy Akide (Football)
§
Dick Tiger (Boxing)
§
Stephen Keshi (Football)
§
Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey (Boxing)
§
Teslim ‘Thunder’ Balogun (Football)
Utilization
and Conservation of Resources
Utilization
is making use of something or turning something into a practical use. In terms
of cultural utilization, this has to do with utilizing our culture for the benefit
of the society. Resource utilization however is the process of strategically
measuring how effect resources are, thereby making use of them. (Cultural
utilization and) conservation can be simply defined as careful and rational use
of resources for greater number of people for a very long time (Meziobi in
Igbiwu, 1996: 258). Sustainable culture is meant to be preserved and utilized
in keeping the norms of the society, directing human conducts preserving and
inculcating morals and values for societal social stability.
According
to Peterson, (1972), describes natural resources of a nation as its natural
endowments, which can be put to useful utilization through her level of
technology and education. Cultural Conservation and Utilization can effectively
be realized in a polity through qualitative education of the masses and the
learners on the contributions of culture to national development. Culture can
be preserved through festivals, carnivals, culture exhibitions, cultural
studies and research ventures.
What are the essence of cultural
utilization and conservation in Nigeria?
Ø Cultural
utilization is based on conservation of cultural attributes, artifacts and
material for general use or consultation.
Ø To
inculcate cultural awareness to the youths over multi-ethnic and multi-cultural
society of Nigeria through social studies instructions.
Ø To
boost interest in cultural studies and create awareness on the interdependence
of local and foreign cultures.
Ø To
preserve our indigenous cultural heritage for socialization and maintenance of
positive social behavour in society
Ø To
know that cultural interdependence promotes national unity, integration and
sustainable peace in the nation
Ø To
provide some historical background on the development of cultures.
Loyalty
to the Nation
Every Nigeria in his or
right sense should be loyal to the nation. The national pledge states thus: I
pledge to Nigeria my country to be faithful loyal and honest to serve Nigeria with all my strength, to defend
her unity and uphold her honour and glory so help me God. Loyalty promotes
development and peace.
Loyalty, in general use, is a devotion and faithfulness to a nation, cause, philosophy, country, group, or person. Philosophers disagree on what can be an object of loyalty, as some argue that loyalty is strictly interpersonal and only another human being can be the object of loyalty. The definition of loyalty in law and political science is the fidelity of an individual to a nation, either one's nation of birth, or one's declared home nation by oath (naturalization).The state or quality of being loyal [to someone or something]; faithfulness to commitments or obligations;
Loyalty is one of the
most important character traits every single person should develop at an early
age and optimize throughout their whole life. In every kind of relationship, no
matter if romantic, friendship, or business, loyalty plays a big role. Even
though it is such an important quality, some of us don’t make it a priority,
give it enough value or know how to show loyalty properly. Our martial arts
programs help with this process and teach diverse life values. Loyalty is
necessary and should be shown in our daily life
Loyalty leads to a
feeling of security which means being able to communicate better and build
deeper bonds. By being loyal toward others, you’ll find them treating you with
loyalty too. This is how real connections develop. People who care for you that
are trustworthy and are a constant part of your life are worth way more than
those that come and go. Our martial arts programs help us to build trust and
loyalty and build the basis for deep connections with the people around us.
Loyalty lets people
know that you want them in your life and that they are precious to you. To
achieve this, goal, it is important your loyalty towards them is recognized.
The first step toward this goal is being honest and trustworthy. It is
important to express your feelings, good or bad, and talk about them.
Furthermore, you shouldn’t talk bad about someone behind their backs, and
always keep your promises. Show other people that you care for them, stand up
for them if needed and be supportive and generous. Listen to the people around
you and try to offer them constructive solutions to their problems, without
judging the things they are struggling with. Once you show your loyalty to
others, they’ll be loyal to you as well. In martial arts classes, a good group
dynamic is essential. For us, it’s important that every member of the Sovereign
family supports their classmates and appreciates their achievements. (https://smaschools.com/the-importance-of-loyalty-for-adults/)
However,
according to Obike, (1993) Nigeria has enshrined in the constitution, some
positive ideals for values, such as unity, loyalty service, patriotism, hard
work, accountability, discipline etc. in the actual fact these virtues have
eluded us and are domestically opposed in their manifestations, unlike the
pre-colonial society which sets out ideal behavior conduct through which the
means to an end could be achieved. There is therefore the need for leadership
reorientation in Nigeria. The problem with Nigeria is that our politicians have
turned the nation into a war zone in the name of selfish acquisition of wealth.
Our
value system need re-evaluation, leadership should be meant for service and not
to amass wealth. The distressing issue is that the decay in leadership quality
has continued to worsen over the years. Some politicians and public officers
has embezzled huge public funds with a minor waiver by the court, the nations
unserious attitude is likely to mar the spirit of patriotism and loyalty to
national goal and aspirations.
What should be done to step up
national loyalty in Nigeria?
Ø There
is the need for government to step into poverty alleviation which will serve as
an ideal for increasing loyalty support to national development.
Ø Merit
or awards should be given priority not only to highly placed people but for all
who are honest, hard working, service to humanity and dutiful individuals.
Ø There
is need for leadership transparency and accountability. Our leaders should be
genuinely audited, probed and brought to book if found guilty.
Ø There
should be job creation, through industrial expansion as well as acquisition of
sustainable skills for economic survival as paramount in Nigeria .
Ø Above
all there should be peace and security in the country. our leaders must ensure
that the safety of their wards should be their utmost priority as it is
stipulated in the Nigerian constitution Chapter
II Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy section 14:
(2b) the security and welfare of the
people shall be the primary purpose of
Government.
It is enough in the killing and maiming of people in Nigeria more especially in
the North eastern part of Nigeria; where Boko Haram has turned the area to a
bloody zone. Down to the South – East, west and Niger Delta, they are faced
with kidnapping, cyber crimes, stealing, and rituals killing. Once these cases
are addressed in Nigeria nothing will stop the citizen from being loyal to the
country.
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