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Essay historical background of nigeria
Low level of education in nigeria
Uniqueness of Nigerian cultures
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Nigeria is a country that has struggled since it gained independence in 1960 with corruption, organized violence, and mismanagement of natural resources. The deadliest Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram, has killed over 20,000 people since it was founded in 2002 in northeast Nigeria (Asuelime). Boko Haram also internally displaced over two million people from their settlements. Boko Haram is linked to al-Qaeda and recently pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The three geopolitical factors that led to the rise of Boko Haram are the inter-religious divisions between the north and south, the economy’s dependence on oil, and the lacking foundation of human rights. By analyzing these three factors we see the current and future impact Boko Haram …show more content…
Division—The history of Nigeria reveals how Boko Haram came into power. The two primary religions are Islam and Christianity; Islam in the north and Christianity dominating the southern portion of Nigeria. These Nigerian Muslims are Sunni and adhere to the strict laws of Islam, Sharia (O 'Grady). Under the British rule, the north resisted Christians infiltrating their schools and businesses, and so when Nigeria gained independence there was violent competition between the different cultures. In 1966 civil wars erupted and when it ceased the northern Islamic military dominated the government (O 'Grady). With the north gaining power, the south’s literacy rates declined, but the Nigerian central bank reveals 95% of the northern population continued to live in poverty (Walker). The Muslims hoped they would rise above poverty, but they remained poor and believed
The terrorist threat posed to United States (U.S.) interests within the Horn of Africa (HOA) is represented by one terrorist organization in particular, al-Shabaab. Areas of concern towards key strategic interests for the U.S. consist of armed conflicts, violent extremism, global trade, and maritime security in which al-Shabaab possess an influential capacity to disrupt, which effects political, economic, and social stability throughout region. As countries within the HOA continue to gain strategic importance to U.S. interest and policy makers, al-Shabaab and the various entities they collaborate with affect the stability of the region and remain a prevalent threat.
...s as well as a multitude of human rights violations makes civil war and conflict a possibility in the near future. However, goals to have the United States lift its embargo and its current seat on the Human Rights Council could alter Cuba’s course and prevent history from repeating itself. In the case of Nigeria, conflicts stemmed from ethnic, religious, and differences in beliefs spurred wars in the region. Though the insurgents failed to alter government policies, it makes the potential for future conflict an even higher possibility. However, increasing its transparency in its oil companies, preventative diplomacy measures from outside countries, and addressing its human rights abuses could ease tensions in the culturally and ethnically diverse country. Taking necessary measures and altering policies in the two countries can prevent history from repeating itself.
Some might describe the new Cold War that dominates foreign affairs today as westernization and globalization versus Islamic fundamentalism. Recently, Boko Haram, a Nigerian selafist extremist group, abducted two hundred seventy-six girls from their boarding school and threatened to sell them as child brides. The kidnapping sparked a global outcry against the group and called for the return of the girls. Unfortunately the abduction is not an isolated event, for Boko Haram has been terrorizing much of Northern Nigeria for the past few years. The anti-westernization that fuels Boko Haram is not a product of the new Cold War and religious fervor, but in fact an anti-westernization sentiment that stems from the roots of colonial Nigeria.
Terrorist organizations in Somalia, located within the Horn of Africa, present a current threat to the region and to United States (U.S.) interests. This paper will address the implication of a terrorist network within Somalia by analyzing the actions and motivations of Al-Shabab, the Somali Government, and the United States. Al-Shabab is gathering support by using religion, undermining the Somali Government, and by providing jobs and opportunities for the people of Somalia. If Al-Shabab continues growing in power it could lead to more extreme terrorists attacks in Somalia and the region.
According to the CIA.gov, 50% of the Nigeria population are Muslim and 40% and Christian. The Islamic group believes that northern Nigeria is controlled by corrupt, false Muslims (“Curbing Violence in Nigeria (II)”). Therefore, Boko Haram wants to fix this by creating a fully Islamic State in the north while following the Islamic law, Sharia (“Curbing Violence in Nigeria (II)”). A preacher named Mohammed Yusuf established the Boko Haram group in Northern Nigeria nearly 12 years ago with intentions to develop an Islamic state. Prior to 2009, the Nigerian government underestimated the warnings and militant character of Boko Haram (Wikipedia.org). “Boko Haram 's trademark was originally the use of gunmen on motorbikes, killing police, politicians and anyone who criticises it, including clerics from other Muslim traditions and Christian preachers” (Chothia). In 2009, a flood of attacks were carried out by Boko Haram targeting police stations and other government buildings in a Northeast city called Maiduguri (Chothia). “Hundreds of Boko Haram supporters were killed and thousands of residents fled the city” (Chothia). Yusuf was also captured and executed by police during these attacks. Thereafter, Abubakar Shekau took control and a more rebellious and destructive Boko Haram group came about (Karimi and Carter). “Curbing Violence in
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the persecution of Christians has taken place in northern Nigeria. In the poverty-stricken nation, tension between Muslims and Christians runs high. The discrimination against Christians in the North along with violent attacks at the hands of the infamous Boko Haram violates several international laws and has led to the interference of the International Criminal Court and United States. Although the violence began in recent years, the conflict has been rising for centuries.
...at shocked me through all these articles is how there weren’t a single positive story about Nigeria. I had to get to the third page before I found something that was “kind of positive” about Nigeria. These definitely illustrate what the speaker was saying about single stories. Also 8 out of 10 stories where related to Boko haram. Therefore it won’t be a surprise for me to hear that people believe that Boko haram is the daily cup of tea. I didn’t really found anything that was directly related to the chapter because most of the stories were about BOKO haram crisis. The only thing that I found related to the chapter was how the Biafra war that has opposed the three major’s ethnics groups: Yoruba, Igbo and Hausas is still reflecting on the actual Nigerian crisis. In the north were these crisis are occurring, only certain ethnic groups or religious groups are attacked.
Extremism manifests itself dangerously in the Islam religion (Palmer, Monte, and Princess Palmer, 37). The Muslim religion has some laws and believes that no one should question their design, origin or application. Good people should punish immoral people in Islam religion without showing mercy to them. In Islam, human beings have no right to offer forgiveness to others that can easily lead to and create peace to oneself in the society. The unforgiving nature makes human rights groups in many ways try to change and support governments that try to overthrow Muslim extremist governments. Such an approach creates a war never ending between the Muslim governments and other governments that fight the extremist ideals. In East Africa, Somalia presents a case example by observing how the Government is not able to control the ever fighting and dreadful Al-Shabaab. The “Al-Shabaab” is an Arab name for Muslim youth who over the years try to use enforce extremist rulers in governing the country and hence controlling the resources. Muslim fighters and rebels arm themselves with arsenals they use to fight groups that oppose them by killing and torturing them. The al-Shabaab launches attacks that kill people and openly claim responsibility for the losses and the deaths they cause. They also punish members who commit sin using the retrogressive laws of the Quran on the people they label sinners. Other extremist
"We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace. We know that oppressive goverments support terror, while free governments fight the terrorists in their midst. We know that free peoples embrace progress and life, instead of becoming the recruits for murderous ideologies." George W. Bush, (Speech to UN General Assembly, September 21, 2004) Al Shabaab, an armed group is waging a brutal war aimed at toppling Somalia's government and imposing Islamic law. Since its inception in 2006 the terrorist group has been indicative of a violent powerful movement. Somalia's operation is mainly centered in the southern and central regions. The group is fighting an insurgency against the Somali Federal Government, African Union Mission and their allies. Therefore, this paper is designed to take a look into the terrorist organization al Shabaab.
...esult, 1000 civilians died, but majority of the fundamentalist group was taken out. In 2009, Goodluck Jonathan assumed presidency when Umaru Yar’Adu died (BBC News Africa, 2013). In 2011 elections, Goodluck Jonathan took majority of the vote against military opponent, Muhammadu Buhari. Observers have stated this election is the most fair it has ever been in history, but Buhari’s supporters opposed the results. Quickly after, the fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, made resurgence and there were daily attacks in the country. As a result, the Nigerian government declared a state of emergency and dispatched troops. In January 2012, Goodluck Jonathan removed the country’s fuel subsidy to repair the tattered economy, but only caused fuel and food prices to rise. In response to the rise of prices, Nigerians began to protest, which eventually led to reinstating the subsidy.
Boko Haram has recently been in international news including South Africa. The most recent of attacks was on a church where Attackers armed with heavy ammunition and explosives killed twenty-two people in a northeast Nigerian city. They set off many bombs and fired shots into the masses during the attack on the church in Waga Chakawa in Adamawa, before burning residents houses and taking hostages during a four-hour bloody siege. Boko Haram wants to impose sharia law, and wants to split Nigeria equally between Christians and Muslims, Boko Haram has killed thousands of people over the past four-and-a-half years, and is considered one of the biggest security risk in the largest oil producer in Africa and second largest economy in Africa after South Africa.
Yang, C.. (2010). Less Blood for Oil: Nigeria's Fragile Amnesty. Harvard International Review, 31(4), 6-7. Retrieved September 22, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1988429401).
The 3 G’s of "God, glory, and gold" was very important to the development of Nigeria (Adebajo 2013). Through the British colonization, more people in Africa were converting to Christianity. Later, any of them became missionaries influencing others to do the same. Unfortunately, as Christianity spread, traditional beliefs suffered, which led a rift between new Christians and Muslims. Also, Church Missionary Society and Methodist Missionary Society were the organizations to first create schools in Nigeria. In the schools in order to read the Bible you had to be literate, which led to literacy spreading throughout Nigeria. They even used schools as places to spread Christianity. In schools, the English language was taught. This shows how the British spreading the religion and education led to a increase in Nigerians being able to read and speak
...’s depictions of both traditional and modern beliefs in varying degrees illustrate the importance of both in contemporary Nigerian culture, as well as the greater Africa as a whole, and how both are intertwined and cannot exist without the other. In effect, she skillfully subverts stereotypes or single perceptions of Africa as backward and traditional, proving instead, the multifaceted culture of Africa. She further illustrates that neither traditional African nor western culture is necessarily detrimental. It is the stark contrast of the fundamental cultures that inevitably leads to clashes and disagreements. In the end, what holds African countries such as Nigeria together is their shared pride. Modern, western influences can bring positive changes to society, but new cultures cannot completely eradicate the foundational cultures to which a society is founded on.
The Hausa and Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo make up the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria. Both Hausa and Fulani come from the Muslim north. The Yoruba, who come from southwestern Nigeria, are mostly farmers, and practice both Islam and Christianity, the Igbo of the southeast are also Christian, but there’s a notable overlap between organized religion and traditional indigenous beliefs – it’s common for Muslims and Christians to also observe some degree of indigenous practices, similar to smaller groups including the Ibibio, the Edo, the Tiv and the Nupe.