SSE 306: Nigeria Cultural Patterns and its Historical Origin. FOR YR 3 STUDENTS, SOCIAL STUDIES EDUCATION

 

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

 

·         Ladies Golfers Association

 

·         Nigeria Aquatics Federation

 

·         Nigeria Archery Federation

 

·         Nigeria Auto Sports Association

 

·         Nigeria Baseball and Softball Association

 

·         Nigeria Basketball Federation

 

·         Nigeria Chess Federation

 

·         Nigeria Cricket Federation

 

·         Nigeria Federation for Physically Disabled

 

·         Nigeria Football Federation

 

·         Nigeria Golf Federation

 

·         Nigeria Hockey Federation

 

·         Nigeria Judo Federation

 

·         Nigeria Olympic Committee

 

·         Nigeria Paralympics Committee

 

·         Nigeria Polo Sports Federation

 

·         Nigeria Rowing Canoe & Sailing Federation

 

·         Nigeria Rugby Federation

 

·         Nigeria Scrabble Federation

 

·         Nigeria Shooting Sport Federation

 

·         Nigeria Table Tennis Federation

 

·         Nigeria Tennis Federation

 

·         Nigeria Tenpin Bowling Federation

 

·         Nigeria Weightlifting Federation

 

·         Nigeria Wrestling Federation

 

 

·         Nigerian Fencing 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.