Our country Nigeria was Created by British Colonialist who Reformed the task of bringing the various ethnic nationalities together in 1914 to from a single nation state, right form Creation Nigeria has been a Plural society made up of three major groups of house, Igbo and Yoruba, while the mediocrity groups include efuk, igala, Tiv, jukun, ljaw, lbibio etc(Otite,1990:26)
Thus, Consequent upon the Cultural heterogeneity of Nigeria, There has aroused through times of different Kinds of Religious and ethnic Crisis. This crisis had at time, Pitched the Hausa against the lgbo’s in a very violent Conformation. The Introduction of Sharia legal system in the north, then caused serious crisis in some state in the north, equally in the serious part of the Country. The Yoruba and house have also confronted each violently. There are also evidence of the various intra-ethnic crisis witnessed among the minority groups, like the ife-modake,Tiv,Jukun, and the Constant clashes that has become a daily occurrence in the Niger Delta regions of the country. The various crisis that have taken place shows that the unity of the Country is at stake.
Although, Various policies have been made to address the problems posed by religious and ethnic crisis to the Country, both by the colonist and the indigenous posed Colonial Leaders. It seems that their main objectives have been to Contain and nut to eliminate ethnic Crisis. This is for mere fact that the Nigerian State has regularly been part and Parcel of ethnic crisis as a result at its ethnically discriminatory policies and more specifically because of the ethnic coloration of those who controls or dominate it. Nigeria is at cross read Religious and ethnic crisis has been a great hindrance to our National development, the Consequence of breaking the country are hard to imaging Likewise the prospect another civil war which Claimed Lives and properties.
Ethnic and religious crisis in Nigeria can be traced back to 2001, Although major Crisis has occurred without religious crisis such as the famous census crisis of 1962/63. But between 2000 till date, of religious and ethnic has been a threat to Security of lives and properties.
In 1992, Taraba State witnessed religious Clash between Muslims and Christian females students in jailing as a result of misunderstanding. Also, The September 18,2001 religious riot in Benue State which Claimed so many lives.
Boko Harem crisis Started in 20 July 2009 which late spread to kano,yobe, Kaduna etc, thousands of people have been adversely affected by these up heals. Societies have been displace, properties which billions of naira have been lose one political and cultural values suffer adulteration. All These and more have crippled the government as were as our economy, Social and political development are on a standstill. Poverty, unemployment, disease and homeless are on a higher rate and it is affecting the people.
The ideal that religions and ethnic crisis has been the major barriers on national development is very true. The religious crisis in Nigeria has as old as Nigeria itself. Ethnic- religious crisis Started when the Richard Constitution of 1914 guided Nigeria. Since that time until now, Nigeria has been fighting ethnic and religious crisis. More, religious is another impediment to development in Nigeria.
However, ethnic and religious Crisis in Nigeria has been persistent and is still waxing strong Coupled with Corruption that is now a household in Nigeria.
The religious and ethnic Crisis In Nigeria has led to destruction of both human and material resources in Nigeria. The Crisis is at every level and arm of government. It has also made Nigeria a laughing stock with the international Community; hence people no longer see them self as one Nigeria, but rather they see themselves fighting tribal and religious war.
Religious and ethnic crisis has affected the Nigeria Politics, Civil Services, educational system and even every sector in Nigeria . More so, Boko Haram being as Islamic sect in the Present day of Osama Bin Laden in Nigeria which decided that they must covert Nigeria to Islamic nation by force. Boko Harem has destroyed so many lives and properties, Boko Harem has also Caused Nigerians Money, Millions, billions of naira has been employed in Combating Boko Harem in Nigeria.
In addition, the money that is been used in Carrying out development in Nigeria but because of corruption, it is still a herculean tax to Combat Boko Haram because some of the people that pretend in trying to Combat Boko Haram are the Secret Sponsors and fans of this Boko Haram.
However Religious and ethnic Crisis have jeopardized the reputation and tranquility in the Country.
1 To what extent has religious and Ethnic crisis been a major barrier to national development?
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This research work will help us to:
1 To Investigate how religious and ethnic crisis especially Boko Haram has been stumbling block to national development in Nigeria.
2 To find out the causes of religious and ethnic crisis Nigeria.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work would be of great benefit to the Nigeria as a whole. It would help the leadership into trying to fish out the fans/supporters to this Boko Harem.
It will also make the leadership to investigate and know the best ways of fishing out and punish these evil perpetuators.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research work focused the concept of religion, the research work is purely contained on religious and ethnic crisis in Nigeria taking the Islamic sect Boko Haram as a case study.
1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The research work deals with ethnic problems, many challenges were confronted in the course of caring out this work by the researcher and those problems are:
The researcher is struggling for his lecture and the time to see his able supervisor who made and gave corrections.
Finance: This is the most identifiable set back the researcher encountered in this research work. So it becomes necessary for the researcher limit his spending on the project to the size of his meager financial capacity.
1.8 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
NATIONAL: Refers to a large community of people, usually with a common history, culture and language and living in a particular territory under one government.
RELIGION: Refers to a set of ritual, beliefs, and ruled based on a specific philosophy.
NATION BUILDING: Refers to a complex process of planning, organizing, coordinating etc. aimed at developing a nation.
CRISIS: Is an interest in a society which hinders peace, unity, group and tribes as religion, in a societies.
SOVEVERIGNTY: Is the supreme power of state to make and enforce laws within its boundaries without any external interference.
1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
This research work introduce the chapter one, statement of problem and describe the specific problem addressed in the study as well as design components. Chapter two present a review of literature and relevant research associated with the problem addressed in the study. Chapter three presents the methodology and procedures used for data collection and analysis of the data and presentation of the results, and the last, chapter five offers a summary and discussion of the researchers finding’s, implications for practice, and recommendations for future research.