Abstract
One would expect Nigeria after attaining a century old as a nation state on January 2014 to have overcome the problem of national identity and crisis of integration resulting from its multiethnic composition, but recent events have revealed that this desired status is yet to be fully attained. In fact, there have been continuous agitation by various ethnic nationalities ranging from militancy in the Niger Delta south region which has transformed into oil bunkering, armed robbery and organized kidnapping spreading to the southeastern and western part of the country; to various forms of religious fanaticism in the northeastern axis which recently metamorphoses into terrorism and kidnapping as socio-political characteristic of the present Nigeria society, the question that arises is how far Nigeria as a nation state has put itself on the part of achieving national identity and integration of its multiethnic nationalities into a united nation state. Through the methodological approach of historico-logical analysis of identified factors militating against the above objective, this article will proffer the existentialist principle of inter-subjectivity predicated on some tested democratic values such as rule of law, justice, equality, fairness and freedom as panacea for attaining national identity and resolving crisis of integration in Nigeria.
Highlights
Identity can be described as the state of having unique identifying characteristics held by no other person or thing
One of the major factors militating against an ideal national identity and integration is the heterogeneity of the ethnic groups that made up Nigeria and the interethnic jostling for the control and distribution of national wealth
Everyone as an end, interpersonal fellowship and dialogue should be cultivated as the basic principles of interaction among ethnic groups in multiethnic society like Nigeria that will eventually transform into genuine national identity and integration
Summary
Identity can be described as the state of having unique identifying characteristics held by no other person or thing. Important sources of identity are likely to include nationality, ethnicity, sexuality, class, etc It is the individual who has identity, identity is related to social groups to which the individual belongs and with which they identify. An acculturated and socially integrated person is one that has an inner rhythm, a sustainable fulcrum with norms that bind the society with its polity in norms and nuances, intelligible to both the leader and the lead (Dukor, 2003) He suggested that proper acculturation within a multiethnic country like Nigeria will remove ethnic differences and enhance national identity and integration. This is because if citizens are cultured, the nation will be cultured; there will be national identity and social stability in the country
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
