INFORMATION SOURCES AND FACILITIES ESTABLISHMENT FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NORTHERN STATES OF NIGERIA  

ABSTRACT

 

This study investigated the Information Sources and Services Provision for Conflict Resolution in Northern States of Nigeria. A survey method was used in undertaking the study. The study formulated a statement of the problem and used five research questions: What type of conflict are being experienced; what are the causes of conflict; who are the stake holders in conflict resolution; media through which information resources and services provision on conflict resolutions are being communicated; impact of information on conflict resolution in the states studied. The study covered Borno, Kaduna and Plateau States. The population of this study comprised of clerics (Imams and Pastors), Traditional Rulers, Politicians, Law Enforcement Agencies, Youth Leaders and Eye witnesses. Two hundred and twenty (220) respondents were selected. The sampling techniques employed were cluster, stratified, proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. The instrument used for collection of data was questionnaire and the data collected from the study were subjected to a descriptive analysis using frequency tables.The findings revealed that the major types of conflicts experienced in the state revolve round Farm land/grazing rights, religion, indigenous versus settler and political conflicts andthe major causes of Conflicts are Religious, Politics, Economics resources, Power sharing and Misinformation in Northern Sates of Nigeria. It also revealed the media through which information resources and services provision for conflict resolutions are communicated, they used of radio/television, tape recorder/oral discussion, archives information and Computer. The study therefore recommends that there is a need for effective management of information resources for the resolution of conflicts in the Northern states of Nigeria and these sources for information provision should be well furnished with adequate infrastructure to enhance their effectiveness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the Study

It is expected that there should be peace and tranquility in any society, a society is said to be peaceful when it is devoid of any dispute, conflict and rancor. Also, it can be said that a society is likely to develop and grow faster when it is crisis free for citizens to access and utilized relevant information for development. This presupposed that the extent to which a society can largely function to develop and progresses is when they are free from any type of dispute and conflict. Therefore, needs for adequate and effective utilization of information on peaceful coexistence by stakeholders (i.e citizen, administrators, religion leader, local chief, and others) in society is prerequisite for conflict resolution in any society.

Relevant information must therefore be selected, collected, organized and disseminated for the purpose of achieving particular goals or objectives. The acquisition, processing and dissemination of relevant information require an investment in information infrastructure, facilities and human capacity in order to undertake or provide relevant information needed by management for decision making or aid the society in knowing the right things to do. Nigeria has numerous organizations both private and public, such as, educational institutions a number of research institutes, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), the industrial sector, commerce and government ministries and parastatals. All these institutions produce, store, retrieve and disseminate information toenhance their

responsibilities.

             

Information

Information is used differently by individuals in different worth of life, from specialists working in the communication and information professions, to those in the computing and cognitive sciences. Most people however define information within the context of their specific disciplines. These definitions, though restrictive in their applications, service the purposes of the discipline within which they are related.

In library and information science, a number of definitions exist. Ritchie (1991)stated information is considered exclusively as a property of message (text, document, record, etc.). Florida (2004), information is an event that affects the state of a dynamic system and it is necessary for all people living in the information age or society.  Information could be in print or non-print, letters or digits or even objects. As information is being used for different purposes so it is found in different types of formats and system to meet the needs of specific set of individuals, organisations, etc.

As  information serves different purposes such as decision making,planning, etc so also it is being used to resolve disputes and crisis  among    groups  especially  students  of  higher  institutions  of learning. Nishigaki (2014) stated that information is classified into three (3) types: primary information, secondary information, and tertiary information.

i.          Primary Information

Primary information is that which has been created or emanates from its creator directly. Examples includes diaries, manuscripts, letters, autobiographies, interviews, speeches, conference, literature, stories, patents, poetry, photographs, drama, sheet music and visual arts. Primary information can vary from different discipline of study to the context in which the information is needed and used, that is why they contain original information that has not been filtered or interpreted in any way.

 

ii.  Secondary Information

Secondary information is that information that analyses, evaluates and interpret primary information.  Examples of secondary information are scholarly books, articles in journals, reviews and textbooks, bibliographies, criticisms, encyclopedia, etc.  iii. Tertiary Information

This is the information that provides explanation and definitions of the primary and secondary   information.  It can also be seen as information used to describe a work which is chiefly a selection or compilation of other primary information and secondary information. Depending on the context, tertiary information might include library

catalogues, directories, reading, lists and survey articles.

Conflict

Thomas(2005)  defined  conflict as, a “disagreement in opinions between people or groups, due to differences in attitudes, beliefs, values or needs,  In the business world it could be differences in such characteristics as work experience, personality, peer group, environment and situation, all lead to differences in personal attitudes, beliefs, values or needs. Conflict can also be defined as an overt behaviour arising out of a process in which one unit seeks the advancement of its own interest in its relationship with others. Lammers (1969) viewed it as a situation of disagreement between two parties. Amusan (1996) stated that conflict situation is characterized by the inability of those concerned to reconcile their difference and unable to reach an agreement on issues of common interest.  While Ejiogu (2001) posited that conflict can be positive, because it provide opportunities to create more satisfying relationships and needed changes in lives.

Conflict referred to a situation where there is perceived (real or imagined) incompatible differences which result in crisis, blocking, disagreement, frustration, interference, intolerance and opposition. Conflict manifests itself in overt acts such as riots, strikes, demonstrations, terrorism, looting, wars etc.

Information and Conflict Resolution

Information is very important in resolving conflict, in a situation if information are passed across wrongly or information gets into the wrong hands definitely there is bound to be problem. In a situation where conflict is tensed, instead of reducing it or stopping it the problem persists. However, when information is passed through the right channel and accessed by the parties involve knowing the truth, this means there will be positive outcome in resolving such conflict.Egwu (2011) stated that one factor that has been found common in a conflict situation is the absence of the right information which is viewed as the panacea for conflict resolution. This research study is to feel the gap of information sources and services provision for conflict resolution in Northern Nigeria.

             

1.2       Statement of the Problem

There has been all sorts of conflicts/crises in some parts of Northernstates of Nigeria despite the efforts by the states and federal government to intervene on the matter especially in Plateau, Kaduna and Borno which are more vulnerable to crisis. To achieve this, several committee of enquiry were set up to find a lasting solution to persistence crisis. However, the outcome had been that government does not sincerely implement the recommendations of the committee, but rather play politics with it. Thus, the researcher observed that inadequate information to citizen to know their right had let to cruel attitude that give rise to misunderstanding among themand resulted to crisis/conflict.

The important of information sources and services provision cannot be overemphasis in term of conflict resolution. Absent of information sources and services in a given society cause ignorance among the community. Egwu (2011) one factor that has been found common in a conflict situation is the absence of the right information which is viewed as the panacea for conflict resolution. Conflicts occur when people lack information necessary to make wise decisions. They are often misinformed and always have disagreement on matters that are not relevant. Likewise, conflicts are caused by perceived or actual incompatible believe systems amongst these ethnic groups or religion due to improper information. Hence, this study intends to investigate the utilization of information sources and services for conflicts resolution in the Northern states of Nigeria.

 

             

1.3        Research Questions

The following research questions guided the study.

1. What types of conflicts are being experienced in Northern States of Nigeria?
2. What are the causes of the conflicts in the Northern States of Nigeria?
3. Who are the stakeholders in the provision and utilization of information sources and services provision for conflict resolution in the Northern States of Nigeria?
4. What are the media through which information resources and services provision on conflict resolutions are being communicated in the Northern state of Nigeria?
5. What is the impact of the information sources and services provided on conflict resolutions in Northern states of Nigeria?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

1.4       Objectives of the Study

The researcher tried to achieve the following objectives.

1. To identify the types of conflicts being experienced in Northern States of Nigeria.
2. To identify the causes of the conflicts in Northern States of Nigeria.
3. To identify the stakeholders in the provisions and utilization of information sources services for conflict resolutions in Northern States of Nigeria?
4. To identify the media through which information resources and services provision on conflict resolution is communicated in the Northern state of Nigeria?

5 To determine the impact available information resources on the conflicts resolution in Northern states of Nigeria.

1.5       Significance of the Study

This study was, undertaken to help proffer solutions to the problems of ignorance of information sources and services to find a lasting solution to conflict resolution in Northern Nigeria. In view of this, the findings of this study would hopefully be beneficial to the stakeholders for conflict resolution in Northern Nigeria in the following ways:

The Government, the findings of this study would hopefully draw the attention of federal, state and local government to the usefulness of information sources and services provisions in their various domains and this would be beneficial to the society/community affected by crisis. This would in turn help to solve some of the problems of conflict resolution.Religion Leaders, the religion leaders are closer to the masses therefore, the findings of this study would enable them see to the importance of educating their followers to utilize information sources and services for their awareness of conflict resolution.

Community Leaders/Local Chiefs: this study will help they community leaders /local chief see to the needs to agitate for information center or library in their community that will provide          necessary         information sources            and      services           for       conflict

resolution.Librarians,librarians are custodian of information resources therefore the findings of this will make to be more efficient in making available necessary information sources and services for conflict resolution in the community concern.

1.6       Scope of the Study

The research covered the Northern States that are more vulnerable to conflicts/crisis namely: Borno, Kaduna and Plateau State. This is because they experience more frequent conflicts/ crisis in these Northern states of Nigeria.  The study would like to find out how effective and efficient information sources and services provision for conflict resolution are in the states study.

1.7       Operational Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined operationally

Conflict Resolution:  Process of diffusing, antagonism and reaching agreement between conflicting groups, especially through some form of negotiations.

Conflict:  Interactive process manifested in incompatibility disagreement or dissonance within or between social entities.

 

             

References

Akpabio, E. (2005)InformationManagement and  Cooperation Protection During Crisis: Business Response to the Bomb Explosion  in Lagos, 2002.

Egwu.S.G. (2011) Ethnic and Religious Violence in Nigeria, Jos: St Stephen Inc. Book  House.

Herper C. (1997) Information will change our lives.- New York. Retrieved on 20/4/2013 from http://www.oclc.org/reports/2005perceptions.html

Losee, R. (1997) A Discipline Independent Definition Of Information. Journal ot the

American society for Information Science. 48 (3): 254-269

Mitchell C.R (1981) The Structure of International Conflict. London: Macmillan press.

Nwolise, O.B.C. (1997) “ECOMOG Peacekeeping operations in Liberia: Effects on political stability in West Africa sub region”. Africa Peace Review Journal of Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution.1(1): 68-81

Pearson K.E & Saunders C.S (2006)Managing and Using Information. Rose Alaxis. Perception of Libraries and Information Resources (2005)

Richie, I. (1991). Hypermedia: Search by Natural Association. Advanced Information Report.91:10-12.

Tiamiyu, M. (2000) “Organisation of Records, Information and Data Sources”.Information   and Records Management in Nigeria.AyeniJide- Lagos Nigeria; Jide professional  publishing ventures.

INFORMATION SOURCES AND FACILITIES ESTABLISHMENT FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN NORTHERN STATES OF NIGERIA  

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