Community associations and civil clashes
By
IN human history, communal habitation is as old as creation. In Nigeria and Africa, communal life has been the in-thing, occasioning certain degree of ethnic groupings. The advent of authentic community association predates the civil war of the 1960s. Mankind grew to appreciate the strength in unity, living and sharing together. Thus, those of the same stock at home and distant places formed themselves into distinct and formidable entities.
With the civil war between 1967 and 1970 came a distortion in this acceptable traditional way of life as individuals and households were utterly disorganised. Expectedly, the end of the imbroglio saw the re-emergence of these associations when the households, communities and towns began to reorganise to start life afresh especially down south where the effect of the war was most devastating.
Meanwhile, it is evident that these associations have astronomically increased in number since the present administration with renewed vigour, scope and poise. There is hardly any clan or community in the country today that does not boast of organised and oftentimes registered association(s). Remarkably, series of developments are traceable to these bodies, an indication of their relevance. In other words the evolution of community associations is synonymous with peace, progress, welfare and general development. It is unfortunate however, that the music is changing fast to the wrong tune these days. It is indeed an irony that these associations have not only turned political in nomenclature but rebel armies of a sort to fight real and imaginary enemies, usurping the functions of constituted authorities, agitating for everything under the sun and instigating the people to protest even violently at the slightest opportunity.
As if naturally reactionary and quite contrary to original principle, these bodies are now the architects of ethnic politics and boundary clashes. In fact, sometimes, they behave like independent terrorists, unleashing mayhem on the people at the slightest opposition. For instance, between 1999 and 2001 not a few lives were lost through various boundary clashes and sundry violence perpetuated by ethnic militias under purported ethnic or community associations.
The issue remains that despite the advantages of community associations generally, apparent confrontational postures do not augur well for the socio-political development of the people. Therefore, at a time like this, bona fide community and ethnic associations need to be re-oriented, refocused and made to tread the path of sanity in genuine approaches for communal welfare and social development. Considering the enormous power of information, they should not only inform their members correctly about government business but also be partners in progress relevant agencies. In fact, the groups and associations must be made to eschew barbarism in their pursuit of ambitions and channel grievances to appropriate authorities. Most essentially, they should resolve to respect lives and property and thereby encourage the much sought after local and foreign investors.
Government on its part, has not been forthcoming. Perhaps as a sacrifice to allow our nascent democracy to thrive, government has so much treated erring ethnic associations with kid gloves. Little wonder they keep waxing stronger in their nefarious activities. It makes sense to call on the registering agency for these associations to effectively monitor their activities and possibly censure those found to favour crisis, clashes and warfare while the unregistered ones must cease to exist. More than ever, there is the need now to permanently check human right abuses, communal violence and incessant boundary clashes to save lives and property and make for sustainable unity and general development which are the cardinal objectives of democracy.
Nov 2002