TRADITIONAL RULERS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN OKRIKA LGA RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study focused on traditional rulers role on community development with emphasis on Okirika LGA of Rivers state. The reality is that despite the fact that there are guidelines on roles of traditional leaders, policies that are in place that entail the roles of traditional leaders, there are always problems such as disputes, grievances and complaints of unfair treatment by traditional leaders. The objectives of the study are based on the above introduction and problem statement namely: those traditional leaders, who have a role to play in the development of their communities, they have a potential to contribute towards the development by involving government departments and other relevant stakeholders with potential to develop the rural communities. Traditional Leaders have served as the spokesperson of the people as well as bringing the gap between the government and the people.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

There has been change in the role of traditional rulers in Nigeria as it applies to community development, since the introduction of local government reforms of 1976 in the said reforms, leadership roles were clearly expressed, which states that it is not the intention of government to destroy the organic unity of the traditional institutions. The traditional emirate and chiefdom will remain, although their functions will be changed to accord with the present day circumstances. Although the paramount of chiefs was undone by colonial rule, traditional rulers have served as important adjuncts in the administration of post-colonial government in both Nigeria and Africa (William F.S. Miles, 2007).

African countries, continue to adhere principally to traditional institutions. The post-colonial State, on the other hand, essentially emulates western institutions of governance, which are often at odds with traditional African cultural values and the region’s contemporary socio-economic realities. Fragmentation of the institutions of governance, along with economic and social fragmentation, has contributed to Africa’s crisis of state-building, governance, and economic development. Despite modest progress in some countries, the post-colonial State has been unable to establish rights-based political and economic systems of governance that would facilitate consolidation of state-building and promote economic development. To a large extent, this has been due to its detachment from the institutional and cultural values of its constituency. The prevailing state of poverty on the continent, the persistence of widespread ethnic and civil conflicts, and frequent electoral and post-electoral strife are some manifestations of the failure of the State. The persistence of traditional rulers as a parallel system of governance, which provides some level of refuge for the rural population, often alienated by the State, is also another indication of the failure of the post-colonial State. On the other hand, African traditional institutions are also not equipped to compensate adequately for such failure of the State. In addition to their local orientation, many of these institutions face various limitations, especially in the areas of accountability and gender equality. Many are also hampered by their inability to define and secure property rights, thereby raising the transaction costs of resource allocation to their constituencies. Moreover, the growing economic diversity and complex division of labour, which mark the present era of globalization, are largely beyond the scope of traditional institutions. These institutions are, therefore, unlikely to be able to cope with poverty alleviation among their constituencies without the stewardship of the State. Africa’s deepening crisis, is thus, unlikely to be reversed under the existing duality of institutions. The formal institutions of the State, i.e., rules regulating the structure of polity, property rights, and contracting, cannot be effective if they disregard or contradict the customary rules of the traditional institutions, which govern the lives and livelihood of large segments of the population. The age-long traditional institution is one that has not changed with time. This institution has provided a system of administration from which law and order came and provided a stable system of governance.

1.2     Statement of the Problem

Traditional rulers over the years from the pre-colonial society were the custodian of the people’s culture and tradition.  They were also involved in the western government as introduced then from colonial days.  In short, records had it that some traditional rulers were members of the house of Chiefs in the Northern part of the country during the period of 1944 –1951.  Again, the Macpherson Constitution allowed traditional rulers in the north and western regions to make direct input into the selection of the members of Regional House of Assembly. Traditional Rulers also legislated along side with the Regional Houses of Assembly. The situation gradually changed as independence approached.  It was worsened after independence.  It became confusing that many issues were raised after the enactment of the 1979, 1989 and the 1999 constitutions.  Traditional leaders are accused of not performing according their roles and functions as outlined in the Traditional Leadership Framework Act 41, of 2003. Traditional leaders’ core function is to lobby government services and other agencies for the development of their areas as outlined in the White Paper on Local Government. There are traditional communities that have no basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity. In addition to these are social problems of crime and unemployment which is a result of under development. Although there is a governmental focus on increasing community projects and channeling funds through structures, such as cooperatives, these projects are not monitored and very little sustainability. It is in view of this that the researcher intend to examine the effectiveness of traditional rulers and community development in Okirika LGA of Rivers state.

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to examine traditional rulers and community development in Okirika LGA of Rivers state, Nigeria. The specific objectives are;

1. To examine the role of traditional rulers in community development in Okirika LGA of Rivers state
2. To ascertain the relationship between traditional rulers pedigree and community development in Rivers state

• To examine the impact of traditional rulers in attracting community base development in Okirika LGA of Rivers state

1. To examine the relationship between local government administration and traditional ruler relationship in community development
   • RESEARCH QUESTION

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

1. Does traditional rulers play any role in community development in Okirika LGA of Rivers state?
2. Is there any significant relationship between traditional rulers pedigree and community development in Rivers state?

• Is there any impact of traditional rulers in attracting community base development in Okirika LGA of Rivers state?

1. Is there any relationship between local government administration and traditional ruler relationship in community development?
   • RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

The following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

H₀: There is no significant relationship between local government administration and traditional ruler relationship in community development

H₁: There is a significant relationship between local government administration and traditional ruler relationship in community development

H₀: there is no significant relationship between traditional rulers pedigree and community development in Rivers state

H₂: there is no significant relationship between traditional rulers pedigree and community development in Rivers state.

• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is believed that at the completion of the study the study will be useful to the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs at both the federal and state level as the study seek to re-emphasized on the tremendous role and impact of the traditional ruling council in forestalling peace and unity among the people as the traditional rulers are more closer to the people and understand their needs better, the study will also be useful to the local government administrator as the must work hand in hand with the traditional institution at the local level. The study will also be beneficial to researchers who intend to embark on study in similar topic as the study will serve as a guide to their study. Finally the study will be beneficial to academia’s students and the general public.

• SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers traditional rulers and community development in Okiroka LGA of Rivers State. But in the course of the study, there are some factors that will limit the scope of the study;

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.
3. c) Traditional privacy: Limited Access to the selected political office holders and traditional rulers makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Local Government:  The government at the grassroots level in a Federal system like Nigeria and headed by a democratically elected chairman or sole administrator appointed by the governor of the state.

Local Administration:  This is the system of administration controlled by chiefs

Relevance:  The importance or necessity, usefulness, etc.  It could be operationalized as power or vote, etc.

Traditional Ruler:  Any head or representative of a traditional institution.  It could also mean the paramount ruler of a kingdom, emirate or locality.

Votes of Traditional Rulers:  The power and influence of traditional rulers.

1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion and also recommendations made of the study.

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