CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY
Socialization refers to the process of changing a person into a social creature by gradually introducing new ways of thinking, feeling, and doing. All of this is performed through a psychosocial transmission process, as well as by assimilating attitudes, values, concepts, or models relevant to a group or society, for a person's formation, adaptability, and social integration (Abasiattai, Ukpong, & Esenowa, 2014). Sociologists and psycho-pedagogues disagree about how to define the concept of socialization. Thus Wallon (2010) believes that the entire relationship between humans and all types of emotional communication is a social behavior, and that the term "socialization" is inappropriate because children are born and grow up in a social context. The human being has had a need for communication in some form or another since birth, and by definition, man is a social being (Abdulgafar, Ibrahim, Abubakar,2011). Its existence is possible in a social environment, in cohabitation with other peers. Ursula Şchiopu opine that both the whole development and the human condition itself are flooded and stimulated by the socialization processes through which the social integration and identity of the person are created. This is because it belongs natively to the human species and the child is born in a particular society in which to integrate, the newborn feels the need for a society. “People live side by side as human beings, not as simple objects, and society appears as an organic whole of the individual components, not as a sum of the individuals that make it up” (Şchiopu, 2015: 83).
National integration refers to the link that exists amongst people of all castes, creeds, religions, and genders. It is the sense of belonging, brotherhood, and social unity that exists within a country's communities and society (Armad, 2013). The integration of a multicultural and pluralistic country like Nigeria remains a serious problem. The numerous ethnic groupings, socio-political tendencies, and precedents only add to the difficulty of integrating Nigeria's diverse peoples as a united democratic nation. Some of the challenges that call into question Nigeria's state of preparedness for development, let alone sustainable development, include ensuring that Nigerians are properly integrated with one another, regardless of tribe or geopolitical zone, for their individual and collective good and progress (Egomo, 2011). In Nigeria, concerns of severe intolerance, distrust, ethnicity, corruption, and, most dangerously, insecurity, which appears to be a strong force weakening national cohesion and unity in high measures, pose a threat to national integration as a national interest and project. These concerns are causing conflict, chaos, and instability, and they must be addressed for the benefit of all people of the country, which can only be accomplished through a successful socialization process (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2011). Abia (2016), advocates that “In order for a state like Nigeria to endure, it must be possible to harmonize areas of conflicting interests and integrate the diverse groups in order to achieve some kind of value consensus.” This study, on the other hand, looks at how socialization, as well as the concerns and challenges of national integration, might serve to rekindle the spirit of true nationalism and patriotism that can help Nigeria achieve effective national integration. It discredits the tool that has the potential to unlock the negative structures and practices that support and reinforce the very elements that promote disunity, distrust, antagonism, intolerance, and other forms of hate-based relationships that undermine our oneness, cohesion, and unity as a nation that has been together for more than a century (counting from the year of amalgamation). There is no doubt that Nigeria, at this point of its growth, requires its residents to hold on to one another despite their diverse cultures, ethnic origins, ideologies, and beliefs in order to fully energize the nation for the realization of its potentials toward greatness (Grace,2010). National integration stands for this form of solidarity, oneness, togetherness, and cooperation, and this experience appears to be lacking in the country to a realistic and practical amount (Okoroafor, Nzenwa and Ezeibe, 2016).
According to Coe, in Edinyang, Unimke, and Ubi, (2015), As a technique for assisting people in becoming responsible citizens in a culturally varied, democratic society within an interdependent world, socialization is an excellent tool for national cohesion and unity. According to (Nwanna-Nzewunwa, 2016) Socialization aids in the formation of ethnic groupings, regardless of religion or tribe, in order to promote national integration. The Nigerian government has successfully implemented several tactics to foster socialization toward national unity over the years, yet these strategies have become outmoded as a result of new issues that residents of Nigeria confront in terms of national unity and integration. Therefore this study centers on socialization as an instrument of National integration (a case study of Abuja municipal area council).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Nigeria was established by the British with the amalgamation of Northern, Southern protectorates and Lagos Colony in 1914(Aluko, and Usman, 2016). Despite evident disparities in culture, aptitudes, and level of development, the amalgamation resulted in the establishment of a mosaic country with over 250 ethnic, religious, and economic groups competing for space and attempting to coexist. This, according Ojo (2009), created unique challenge not experienced by any state in the world past or present. This problem, for Onifde and Mhonopi (2013), is how to put national integration into action through socialization and purpose in the face of hundreds of ethnic nations, each exerting centrifugal and centripetal forces on the primary issue of the nation, bound in freedom, peace, and unity where justice reigns. Osibanjo (2019) argues that diversity isn't an issue in and of itself; what counts is what you do with it. According to Okochie (2012), Whether sociocultural diversity leads to conflict or collective success is largely dependent on how a society manages it. Disagreements and controversies over the best political structure to be adopted, government size and responsibility, the nature of relationships between and among component units, government type and system, and how resources are acquired and shared have become a recurring feature of the Nigerian state. Nigeria's chaotic past has been marked by a lack of national unity and integration, which has put the country's existence and stability in jeopardy (Federal Government of Nigeria, 2010). As a result, it is critical to find a way to promote national unity and integration in order to avoid the collapse of the Nigerian state (Omokri, 2017).it is in this light the study is carried out on the research topic the socialization as an instrument of National integration(a case study of Abuja municipal area council).
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objective of the study is to examine socialization as an instrument for integration in Nigeria (case study of Abuja Municipal area council). Other specific objective includes:
1) To assess the level of socialization obtainable in Abuja municipal council Area.
2) To examine the Influence of socialization on National integration in Nigeria
3) To examine the agents of socialization Abuja municipal area council
4) To examine the challenges of National Integration in Nigeria
5)To recommend ways to improve and foster national integration and unity among Nigerians through socialization.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The following research questions shall guide this study and in the course of this research, we shall attempt to find answers to the following questions:
1) What is the level of socialization obtainable in Abuja municipal council Area?
2) What is the influence of socialization on National integration in Nigeria?
3) What are the agents of socialization in Abuja municipal area council?
4) What are the challenges of National Integration in Nigeria?
5) What are the ways to improve and foster national integration and unity among Nigerians through socialization?
1.5 HYPOTHESIS OF THE STUDY
In line with the statement of research problems and the objectives of this thesis, the following hypothesis will be tested:
HO: There is no significant influence of socialization on National integration
H1: There is a significant influence of socialization on National integration
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This study would enable the researcher to pass their experience on the subject matter to examine socialization as an instrument for integration in Nigeria (case study of Abuja Municipal area council)
GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES: This study will help the government in advising them the suitable programs to make towards fostering National unity and integration.
SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS: This will serve as a medium for further research.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study would cover the impact.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The researcher was faced with the following constraints in carrying out this study:
Time: The time within the researcher is too short to carry on the detail study on this topic.
Resources: Another constraint of the researcher is financial resources to carry on the detail study of this topic.Data: Another limitation to this study will be lack of data to make valid study on the research problem.
1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
SOCIALIZATION: socialization is the process of internalizing the norms and ideologies of society. Socialization encompasses both learning and teaching and is thus "the means by which social and cultural continuity are attained". Socialization is strongly connected to developmental psychology.
NATIONAL INTERGRATION: National Integration is the bond and togetherness between people regardless of their caste, creed, religion or gender. It is the feeling of oneness, brotherhood and social unity under communities and society in a country.
NATIONAL UNITY: This is a type of government formed by a group of parties, generally during times of emergency. These governments are said to be unified by a love of country rather than by political affiliation.National unity and integration encourages People to share ideas, values and emotional bonds.
INSTRUMENT: a tool or device for doing a particular kind of work
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