Assessment of the Influence of Traditional Administrative System and Structures on the Development of Selected Communities in Osun State
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Date
2022-12
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Lead City University
Abstract
The study assessed the roles of the traditional administrative system of selected communities in Osun State towards the infusion of core traditional values into mainstream administration and also assessed the relevance of traditional institutions in managing inherent conflict. It explored the synergy between the traditional institutions and democratic government towards dissemination of government policies vis-à-vis improving the quality of life of people and ascertained the challenges affecting the utility of traditional institutions in community development vis-à-vis modern administration in Nigeria. The study used primary data sources. Key informant
interviews (KIIs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) were used for the study. Oke-Ila, Ifon Orolu, and Ode-Omu communities were purposively selected for the study. KIIs sessions were conducted for five chiefs-in-council in each community, using a purposive sampling technique totalling 15 participants. IDIs sessions were conducted for eight participants in each community selected using a snowball sampling technique totalling 24 participants. In all, the study used 39 participants. The findings showed that traditional institutions in local communities have influenced cultural values into current democratic governance in Nigeria through diverse community initiatives. Findings also showed that inherent conflicts in the local communities in the southwestern region of Nigeria is cantered mainly on land disputes, marriage conflicts, and
political crisis and are managed through local mediations. The findings further showed that level of partnership between traditional institutions and government in terms of improving the quality of life of people in the local communities is relatively symmetrical in nature. The synergy was visible in social, economic, and political development. Lastly, findings showed that traditional institutions’ efforts at contributing towards inclusive grassroots development are laced with diverse challenges, such as lack of funds, lack of political power, lack of political neutrality of the traditional institutions, and insecurity. Thishas hindered the traditional institution’s utility towards inclusive development in local communities in Nigeria.The study concluded that traditional administrative institutions in Nigeria will enhance inclusive community development if given necessary considerations in the Nigerian administrative policy.
Keywords: Administrative system, administrative structures, Community development, Traditional institutions, Traditional rulers.
Word Count: 329
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Keywords
Administrative system, administrative structures, Community development, Traditional institutions, Traditional rulers.
Citation
Kate Turabian