ETHNIC SEGREGATION by oke Olukunle James

Ethnic segregation is the separation of different kinds of humans (like black and white people) into racial groups in daily life. Actually, in Nigeria ethnic segregation is being observed in our three major ethnic group. it has applied to activities such as job discrimination, housing segregation, political segregation, attending school or living in a particular areas. Segregation may be maintained by means ranging from discrimination in hiring and sale of housing to certain races to vigilante violence (such as lynching). Generally a situation that arises when members of different races mutually prefer to associate and do business with members of their own race would usually be described as separation or defacto separation of the races rather than segregation.

Need for Eradication of Ethnic Segregation.

1.       To promote political stability. A country where ethnic segregation is at maximum, there is a loop hole in the socio- political affair of such country. Perhaps, it does not foster economic and political growth.

2.       War: Misunderstanding between two ethnic groups might bring about ethnic war that can take away lives and properties in order to prevent this occurrence, there is a great need for eradication.

3.       Adverse Neighbour spillover: The flash back of spill over in the neighbourhood is unrest in the country.

4.       Migration: It brings about the unlawful movement of people from one particular area to another where they can be accommodated under a good and peaceful shelter. Since safety is paramount, isolation from mainstream society is highly observed.

Other causes of ethnic segregation are:

5.       Lack of social amenities: When the provision of social amenities like schools, hospitals, job vacancies etc is inadequately supplied it leads to ethnic segregation.

6.       Over – population: When there is too much people occupying a particular community over population occur which makes it harder to survive and then ethnic segregation will occur.

7.       Birth- rate: When there is a great increase in birth rate over population occurs i.e. increase in child birth

HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN NIGERIA

By providing adequate social amenities

Development of rural areas

Family planning

Encouragement of inter – ethnic marriage

Provision of job opportunities

Optimum population should be practised.

Statism should be controlled and people should be more patriotic.

As we earnestly approach the period of election, I beseech the political elites to renew their conscience and play a free and fair game.

Bless you all Nigerians!!!