NWUBE SIMEON NNANNA (Ph.D.)
Department of Christian Religious Studies,
Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo.
&
DR I.O EZE
Department of Christian Religious Studies,
Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo.
Abstract.
The literature on religious conflicts in Nigeria largely implicates socio-economic, political and governance deficits as the major causes of such conflicts. This paper departing from the underlying causes approach, undertook an analytical inquiry into the immediate and visible factors that trigger religious conflicts in the country. It also evaluated the nature of state management of religious conflicts in Nigeria. Findings from the research revealed that government’s haphazard approach to these conflicts as well as the absence of a long-term strategy for its management account for their persistent manifestation. The paper recommended among other things that
the government and religious leaders should employ a meaningful ways such as inter-faith dialogue to enhance peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. Equally, a long term strategy such as education of citizenry on ethical principles on common solidarity of
humanity by origin, forgiveness and tolerance that could engender cordiality and understanding rather than sustained hostility among different religions in Nigeria was recommended as a possible way out to these religious conflicts.
Keywords: Religion, Conflict, Religious conflict and national development.
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