International Journal of Modern Innovations &Knowledge (IJMIK) ISSN:2734-3294 Available on-line at:www.ijmik.com

Volume 2 / Issue 2 / 2021

Influence of Political Education and Conflict Resolution Training Programmes in Curbing Youth Violence in ,

1Holly, Ledornu Deekor (PhD) & 2Otamiri, Endurance Kashirim

1 & 2 Department of Adult Education & Community Development, Rivers State University,

Corresponding Author: Deekor, Holly Ledornu , Department of Adult Education &

Community Development, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt.

Citation: Deekor, H. L. & Otamiri, E. K. (2021). Influence of Political Education and Conflict

Resolution Training Programmes in Curbing Youth Violence in Rivers State,

Nigeria. International Journal of Modern Innovation & Knowledge, 2(2); 108 –

121.

Abstract

This study examined the influence of political education and conflicts resolution training programmes in curbing youth violence in communities in Rivers State. Three research objectives, and three research questions, were used for the study Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study was 11 262 comprising 1479 leaders and 9783 members of registered community-based organizations in the three senatorial districts. The sample for the study was 1,496 comprising 437 leaders and 1059 members of community-based organizations. Multistage sampling technique was adopted in the study. Twelve LGAs were purposively selected, while sixty CBOs were randomly selected. The proportionate sampling technique was used to select the sample size used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled, Questionnaire on influence of political education and conflicts resolution training programmes in curbing youth violence in communities. The face and content validity of the instrument was determined by two experts in the field of Adult Education and Community Development. The reliability of the validated instrument was determined through a pilot study, while Crombach Alpha Statistic Method was used to establish the reliability coefficient (r) value of 0.84. The responses from the three research questions were analyzed with mean and standard deviation statistic. The findings from the study revealed among others that to a high extent, political education programme, and conflict resolution training programme can be used to curb youth violence in Rivers State. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that political education and conflict resolution training progranmmes should be properly planned and carried out by government, non-governmental organizations, Multinational organizations, and other development agencies as a means for preventing and curbing youth violence to promote community development

Keywords: Political Education, Conflict Resolution, youth violence,

INTRODUCTION

The term “youth” in the present situation portray a specific stage in the development of a human being. According to Kobani and Taylor (2017), the term “youth” is associated with the time of life when one is young, but often means the time between childhood and adulthood (maturity). This can be seen in this context as a connotation for any person that is over eighteen (18) years and above but not more than forty. This is the most vibrant age bracket in human population because it is the heart of the human resource of a nation. The term “violence”, can

International Journal of Modern Innovations & Knowledge (IJMIK) 108 be seen as any action or structural arrangement that results in physical or nonphysical harm to one or more persons. In the views of China, Nweyilobu and David (2011), Violence is described as the act that is informed by the intention to cause harm or destroy the physical or emotional integrity of people which then produces harm. To them, violence is associated with the acts of oppression, injustice and domination. It comes in different forms like economic, socio-cultural, legal, religious, and political among others.

However, Youth violence in this contest is referred to all violent activities engaged in by youths that lead to loss of human lives and properties. According to Ejumudo (2014), it is an engagement by youths in agitation for the restoration of their rights and dignity or self- seeking and criminal activities. This definition implies that there are different reasons for youth violence. Rivers State is faced with violent activities as security challenge which includes illegal oil bunkering, piracy, kidnapping political killing among other violent activities that are affecting development in most communities.

Bulwark Intelligence (2015), observed that the occurrence of violent activities in Rivers State has reached an alarming rate. In Rivers State, youth violence usually occurs as a result of land dispute, chieftaincy struggle, community leadership tussle, rivalry between cult groups, perceived neglect by multinational oil companies, and conflict of interest in politics by politicians, among others (Oyebamiji & Otamiri, 2016). Violence from these various sources has threatened the community cohesion, stability and progress. According to Otamiri, Nwoye, and Igoni (2020), politically motivated assassinations, cult clashes, sea piracy, among other social vices occur very often in the three Senatorial Districts in Rivers State, particularly, in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Asari-Toru, Ikwerre, Emuoha, , Gokana, and so on. These areas have been flash points for political violence leading to political killings and thuggery, armed robbery, among others in Rivers State.

Egute and Davies (2018), reported that over 16 innocent helpless male and female community members including children were brutally murdered in cold blood on their way back from church service on the 31st night of December 2017 by unknown gun men believed to be cultists based in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni area of Rivers State. The cultists in where believed to have taken amnesty from Rivers State Government before the ugly incidence, yet they were still involved in cult related activities, carrying out violent actions against some community inhabitants. On the other hand, Partnership Initiative in the Niger Delta (2015), observed that kidnapping, political killings, destruction of properties among others are at increase in Rivers State due to escalated political interest between political Arthurs of rival political parties in the state. According to Ebiri and Akenzuwa (2016), the above assertion is evidenced by the consistent kidnapping and killings in Rivers State, particularly along Port Harcourt Owerri International Journal of Modern Innovations & Knowledge (IJMIK) 109 road, Choba Emuoha road, and cult related killings within communities in the three senatorial districts in Rivers State. Specifically, there has been reported cases of cult related killings and other forms of violent activities in communities like Omoku, Aggah, Omerelu, Elele, Ubima,Obelle, Iba, Rumuji, Ndele, Rumuekini, Alakahia, Ataba, Iyorokoto, Ngo, Bomu, Lewe, Gbodo, Oporama, Buguma, among others.

However, Government at the various levels has made efforts to mitigate the menace of youth violence in Rivers State, but these efforts where based on stick approach which means the use of combine armed forces (security agencies), in addressing this security challenges in the state. According to Premium Time as cited in Taylor (2020), the federal government mapped out over five trillion naira for security in the country with Rivers State inclusive. The Rivers State Government has also stated in different fora on how it has provided more vehicles and financial support to the security agencies to procure more ammunition to combat insecurity and to reduce violent activities among youths in the state, yet there are still several cases of violent activities in Rivers State. According to Dibia (2018), it is because of the failure of the use of force by federal government in combating militancy in the Niger Delta that led to the establishment of amnesty programme under the administration of Umaru Musa Yara-dua to serve as carrot approach in curbing youth violence in the Niger Delta.

Similarly, the failure of use of force to eradicate youth violence led to the formation of Rivers State amnesty committee on the 15th October, 2016, headed by Kenneth Chinda. This peace committee was designed as government carrot approach to peace and to create new life for repentant youths involved in cultism and other forms of violent activities that lead to destruction of lives and properties and economic sabotage in the state. According to the amnesty record as reported by Ebiri and Akenzuwa (2016), over 22,430 youths involved in militancy, cultism, kidnapping among other youth violent activities surrendered their arms, and that violent cult groups exist in all Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Despite these efforts, Rivers State is still witnessing violent activities in different communities. This has led to formation of strong community vigilante groups with different names, for example, the Omoku community vigilante security outfit is popularly called ONELGA Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC). In , the vigilante group is called Rundele Odogwu Security Planning and Advisory Committee (ROSPAC). The acceptance and the use of vigilante group in the affected communities have raised the hope of the community inhabitants for healthy living in the communities. However, these community security outfit and use of force strategies cannot completely curb youth violence without taken consideration of factors responsible for the involvement of youthful members of communities into different kind of violence as to initiate relevant

International Journal of Modern Innovations & Knowledge (IJMIK) 110 programmes to engage these youths into more meaningful activities. Therefore, there is need to shift emphasis from conventional security approach to embrace relevant non-formal education programmes like political education, and conflict resolution training programmes to reach out to youths in communities to equip them with the knowledge and skills required to prevent, avert, and manage violent situation is very germane and should be put into consideration to curb youth violence in communities.

Political education programme, is referred to learning activities that are geared towards raising the critical consciousness of citizens on the electoral process to enable them participate and also avoid actions that leads to political violence in the community (Olori, 2019). Corroborating the above assertion, Babangida (2019), noted that political education is used interchangeably with voter’s education, and sometimes civic education which raises the critical consciousness and the understanding of the electorate mostly youthful members of communities about democratic principles and their role in good governance and accountability for sustainable development. The acquisition of political education will make community inhabitant especially the youths to understand the necessity for tolerance, the need to exercise their franchise, and become aware of political issues that cause youth violence. Therefore, an increase in democratic participation of youthful members of communities will reduce the likelihood of youths or communities in resolving conflict through violence.

Conflict resolution training programme involves a multiplicity of approaches such as mediation, dialogue, negotiation communication skills among others expected to ensure that violent behaviours or hostile attitudes are no longer in existence or reduced to the barest minimum among youths (Abbas, 2018). In line with the above explanation, Wessells, (2016), avowed that conflict resolution education provides youth with the knowledge, abilities, and processes needed to choose alternatives to self-destructive, violent behavior when confronted with interpersonal and intergroup conflict. This implies that when youth learn positive ways to address what leads to violence, the incidence and strength of that conflict will reduce. Thus, conflict resolution training programme will provide an effective alternative that lead to long- term changes in approaches and behaviour required to forestall violence among youthful members of communities. It is believed that if Political education programme, and conflict resolution training programme, are properly adopted and implemented by Government, development agencies, adult educators, Non-governmental organizations, and other organizations interested in peace and development of communities, violence amongst youths in communities will be reduced to a barest minimum. It is against this background that this study was designed to examine how

International Journal of Modern Innovations & Knowledge (IJMIK) 111 youth violence can be curbed through these programmes to create peaceful and conducive environment necessary to promote development of communities in Rivers State.

Statement of the Problem It was observed that youth violent activities are challenges affecting the development of communities in Rivers State. This could be attributed to increase in drug abuse, proliferation of illegal fire arms, and high rate of unemployment among others. This has led to increase in inter and intra-communal conflicts, cult clashes, politically motivated killings, community leadership and chieftaincy tussles and other related violent activities in Rivers State, especially in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Asari-Toru, Ahaoda East, Degema, Ikwerre, Emohua, Obio/Akpor, , Gokana, Andoni, Eleme, and Tai Local Government Areas among others, Oyebamiji and Otamiri (2016). These violent activities by youthful members of communities affect everybody hence community development projects are destroyed, abandoned or uncompleted, people are displaced from their homes, lives and properties worth millions of naira are destroyed, socio-economic activities, and social unity are disrupted.

Though, government in the bid to curb insecurity in Rivers State on 15th October 2016 granted Amnesty to cultists and youths involved in all forms of violence. But such approach or strategy seems not to be successful in curbing youth violence in Rivers State hence most of the youths are still involved in violent activities across the state. This could be attributed to the fact that youths were not meaningfully engaged with activities that could inculcate in them the necessary skills and knowledge required to earn a good living and to imbibe culture of peace. However, political education programme, and conflict resolution training programme has been established as relevant preogrammes that curb youth violence in communities as reported in USAID (2016). The need to bring these programmes to the fore and to identify strategies that can facilitate the successful implementation of the programmes to curb youth violence in Rivers State was the problem of the study.

Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study was to examine political education programme, and conflict resolution training programme for curbing youth violence in Rivers State. In specific terms, the study sought to: 1. Investigate the extent to which political education programme curb youth violence in communities in Rivers State. 2. Find out the extent to which conflicts resolution training programme curb youth violence in communities in Rivers State.

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3. Identify strategies that can be used to facilitate political education and conflict resolution training programmes in curbing youth violence in communities in Rivers State.

Research Questions The study was guided by the following research questions: 1. To what extent does political education programme curb youth violence in communities in Rivers State? 2. To what extent does conflicts resolution training programme curb youth violence in communities in Rivers State? 3. What are the strategies that facilitate political eductionand conflict resolution training programmes in curbing youth violence in communities in Rivers State?

METHODOLOGY The study adopted descriptive research design. The population of the study was 11262 respondents, comprising 1479 leaders and 9783 members of registered community-based organizations (CBOs) in the 23 Local Government Areas in the three (3) Senatorial District of Rivers State. The sample size for the study was 1,496 respondents comprising 437 leaders and 1059 members drawn from the selected registered community-based organizations. However, a multi stage sampling technique was adopted for the study. In the first stage, the state was clustered into three senatorial districts such as Rivers East, Rivers South East and Rivers West. In the second stage, purposive sampling technique was used to select twelve (12) LGAs, out of 23 L.G.As. four (4) LGAs from each of the three (3) senatorial districts in Rivers State that are mainly affected by the violent activities of youthful members of the communities. The Local Government Areas include; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Asari-Toru, Ahaoda East, Degema, Ikwerre, Emuoha, Etche, Obio/Akpor, Andoni, Gokana, Eleme, and Tai Local Government areas respectively.

In the third stage, simple random sampling technique was adopted to select five community- based organizations from each of the twelve Local Government Areas studied, making it a total of 60 community based organizations that were used for the study. In the fourth stage, proportionate sampling technique was adopted in selecting 50% of the members of the different selected community-based organizations which was 1059 members. However, the 437 leaders of the CBOs were not sampled but taken as a census due to their small and manageable sizes, making it a total of 1,496 respondents sampled for the study which ensured equal representation of the members of the selected CBOs used for the study. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was structured on modified four

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(4)-point scale rated on Very High Extent VHE (4), High Extent, HE (3) Low Extent LE (2) and Very Low Extent VLE (1). Strongly Agree- SA (4) Agree –A (3), Disagree – D (2) Strongly Disagree- SD (1). The face and content validity of the instrument was determined by two experts in the field of Adult Education and Community Development.

The reliability of the validated instrument was determined through a pilot study, while Crombach Alpha Statistic Method was used to establish the reliability coefficient (r) value of

0.84. The data collected from the research questions were analyzed with mean ( x ) statistic and standard deviation. Since the items are rated on a modified four (4) point scale, the average mean for answering the research questions were arrived at finding the average of the 4 points scale hence: 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10/4 = 2.5. Therefore, items whose mean (x) scores were less than 2.5 were seen as low extent responses while those with mean (x) score of 2.5 and above were accepted as high extent responses for both research question 1 and 2. But in research question 3, items whose mean (x) scores were less than 2.5 were seen as disagreed while those with mean (x) score of 2.5 and above were seen as agreed. However, out of the 1,496-questionnaire administered, 154 copies (10.3%) of the questionnaire were lost in transit, while a total of 1,296 copies were retrieved representing 86.63% retrieval rate comprising 918 copies from members (86.66%), and 424 (97.02), from the retrieved copies of the questionnaire, 46 copies (3.42%) were wrongly filled which comprised both 34 (3.70%) from members and 12 (2.83%) from leaders. However, only 1,296 representing 86.63% which include both 884 (83.47%) from members and 412 (94.28%) from leaders, were correctly filled and used for analysis. RESULTS The results from the study were presented as follows. Research Question 1: To what extent does political education programme curb youth violence in communities in Rivers State? Table 1: Responses on the Extent Political Education Programme Curb Youth Violence in Communities in Rivers State S/N Item Statement Leaders (N = 412) Members (N= 884) Mean SD RMK Mean SD RMK 1 Political literacy can discourage youths 2.43 0.87 LE 2.81 0.84 HE involvement in thuggery activities to ensure stable community. 2 Voting right education can discourage 2.75 0.85 HE 2.83 0.85 HE vote buying during elections to ensure peaceful coexistence of community members

3 Political awareness campaign will 2.57 0.87 HE 2.56 1.11 HE improve youth civic responsibility and participation in community affairs.

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4 Political sensitization of youths on 2.71 0.80 HE 2.80 0.85 HE patriotism and social responsibility can discourage their involvement in electoral malpractice that cause violence in the community. 5 Sensitizing youths on the need for free 2.80 0.76 HE 2.39 1.04 LE and fair election will enable them to participate in electoral process without aggression to ensure stable community. Grand Total 2.65 HE 2.68 HE Source: Research’s Field Result, 2020 Table 1 shows the mean response of leaders and members of community based- organizations in three senatorial zones of Rivers State, which revealed that majority of the respondents are in agreement with the statements in item 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 with the grand mean of 2.65 and 2.68, greater than the criterion mean of 2.5 which indicates that both the leaders and members agreed that to a high extent, political education programme can be used to curb youth violence in communities in Rivers State. Research Question 2: To what extent does conflict resolution training programme curb youth violence in communities in Rivers State? Table 2: Mean Responses on Extent to which Conflicts Resolution Training Programme Curb Youth Violence in Communities in Rivers State Item Statement Leaders (N = 412) Members (N= 884) S/N Mean SD RMK Mean SD RMK 6 Youth acquisition of mediation skills of 2.57 0.89 HE 2.83 0.83 HE conflict resolution training will enable them to participate in resolving group or community problem. 7 Acquisition of negotiation skills among 2.73 0.93 HE 2.78 0.89 HE youths will promote positive change in their attitudes towards community affairs 8 Involvement of youths in conflict 2.84 0.67 HE 2.75 1.00 HE resolution training will make them acquire dialogue attitudes in resolving differences that could lead to violence in the community. 9 Engaging youths in conflict resolution 2.82 0.86 HE 2.64 1.01 HE training will promote consensus building and cooperation among youths in community development activities. 10 Youth participation in conflict resolution 2.60 0.83 HE 2.68 0.96 HE training will strengthen their communication skills towards peace building in community affairs. Grand Total 2.71 HE 2.74 HE Source: Research’s Field Result, 2020

Table 2 indicated that items 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 respectively, recorded a grand mean score of 2.71 and 2.74 which is greater than the average mean of 2.5. This implies that both the

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leaders and members of the community-based organizations agreed that training youths on mediation skills, negotiation skills, dialogue attitudes, consensus building, communication skills through conflicts resolution training programme curbs youth violence in communities in Rivers State to a high extent.

Research Question 3: what are the strategies that facilitate political education and conflict resolution training programmes in curbing youth violence in communities in Rivers State.? Table 3: Mean Responses on the Strategies that Facilitate Political Education and Conflict Resolution Training programmes in Curbing Youth Violence in Communities in Rivers State. Item Statement Leaders (N = 412) Members (N= 884) S/N Mean SD RMK Mean SD RMK 11 Community engagement can be used as 2.64 0.92 A 2.79 0.89 A strategy to mobilize teaming youths for political education and conflict resolution programmes in communities. 12 Participation of youths in political education 2.77 0.80 A 2.37 1.02 D and conflict resolution programmes will not be easier if youth leaders are not involved in the process. 13 Partnership with religious institution will 2.61 0.89 A 2.77 0.93 A encourage youths to participate in political education and conflict resolution programmes. 14 Workshops, and seminars can be used to 2.36 1.08 D 2.80 0.95 A disseminate political education and conflict resolution programmes. 15 Formation of community theatre/experiential 2.67 0.99 A 2.42 0.99 D role play will not motivate youths participation in political education and conflict resolution programmes. Grand Total 2.61 A 2.63 A Source: Research’s Field Result, 2020 A - - Agree D - - Disagree

Table 3 shows the mean response of leaders and members of community based-organizations on the strategies that facilitate political education programme and conflicts resolution training programme in curbing youth violence in communities in Rivers State. This indicated that majority of the respondents agreed with the statements in the items 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 respectively with a grand mean score of 2.61 and 2.63 which is greater than criterion mean of 2.5. This confirmed that both the leaders and members agree that Community engagement, involvement of youth leaders in the process, Partnership with religious institution, Workshops, and seminars and Formation of community theatre/experiential role play are strategies that can be adopted to facilitate political education and conflict resolution programmes in curbing youth violence in communities in Rivers State.

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Discussion of Findings The findings from the study in Table 1, revealed that political education programme to a high extent curb youth violence hence it was affirmed by respondents that it discourages youths to shun thuggery, discourages vote buying during elections, improves youth civic responsibility and participation in community affairs, encourages patriotism, and social responsibility among youths, and enable youths to participate in electoral process without aggression to ensure stable community. However, this finding agrees with the position of Patrick (2013) that political education programmes promote the knowledge of constitutional rights, duties, moral ethical principles, patriotism, tolerance and social responsibility among community inhabitants. The finding is also in line with assertion of Oyil (2014), that political education programme help to educate and conscientize community members on the need for credible, peaceful, free and fair election devoid of violent conflict, electoral fraud, and political thuggery that triggers violence in communities. The findings are in line with the findings of Oladejo, and Oni, (2017), that political education available for acquisition was found to be grossly inadequate in communities and should be improved to integrate community members into political consciousness and participation in a manner that does not promote violence. The findings also corroborate to United States Agency for International development report (2016), that political education programme, was adopted as one of the promising youth violence mitigating strategies in Germany and Chicago, Tunisia, Bulkina faso, among others to sensitize the youthful members of communities on the need to exercise their voting right in an election, and equip the youths with the skills of nonviolent approach in resolving electoral issues. The above findings therefore, imply that political education is can be used to curb political related youth violence in Rivers State.

The findings in Table 2 shows that conflicts resolution training programme to a high extent can be used to curb youth violence in Rivers State. Quantitative data analysis in Table 2, shows that items 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 were accepted by the majority of the respondents that conflict resolution training programme provides mediation skills, negotiation skills, dialogue attitudes, promote consensus building and cooperation, and strengthen youth communication skills towards peace building process in the community. This finding is in-line with the discovery of Ezeala (2020) who examined environmental adult education strategies for curbing violent conflict between pastoral nomads and host communities in Enugu state, and find that mediation and dialogue skills of conflict resolution can be used to curb violent conflicts between pastoral nomads and host communities. Similarly, the findings is also in agreement with the findings of Ofojebe (2014), that components of conflict resolution such as, tolerance, dialogue attitude, reconciliation, and negotiation are aspect that ought to be integrated into Nigerian basic

International Journal of Modern Innovations & Knowledge (IJMIK) 117 education for long-lasting culture of peace. The findings is also supported by USAID report (2016), which shows that negotiation and mediation are problem-solving tools that are well suited to the problems that young people face, and those trained in these approaches often use them to solve problems for which they would not seek adult help. It also relates to the findings in a study carried out by Bolanle and Olayinka (2015), that conflict resolution strategies used by community elders and leaders of associations to resolve conflicts internally among residents in the housing estates include; Communication, mediation, negotiation and reconciliation. This means that the acquisition of these conflict resolution skills among youths will create a conducive environment required to facilitate community development projects and programmes for improved community.

The findings in Table 3 have a grand mean of 2.61 and 2.63. This revealed that majority of the respondents strongly agreed to items 11,12-15, that strategies such as community engagement, involvement of youth leaders in the process, partnership with religious institutions, workshops, seminars, and symposium can be used to facilitate political and conflict resolution training programmes in curbing youth violence in communities in Rivers State. The findings corroborate with the report of USAID (2016) that Initiatives to disengage youth from violent extremist activities are found to be most effective when led by other youth, former violent extremists, religious leaders, and parents who have their own experiences. This finding is also in line with the report of USAID (2018), that partnership with religious organization was noted as one of the driving factors for the success of youth programmes organized to equip youth with knowledge and skills in Somali.

Conclusion Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that political education and conflict resolution training programme, can be used to curb youth violence in communities which will promote community development in Rivers State. The study further concluded that the implementation of these relevant programmes will promote peaceful coexistence among youths, negotiation, dialogue and mediation skills, respect for others, and other skills required to avert violent in the community. The study also concluded that the adoption of strategies such as community engagement, involvement of youth leaders in the process, partnership with religious institutions, workshops, seminars, will facilitate political education and conflict resolution training programmes in curbing youth violence in communities in Rivers State

Recommendations Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made:

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i. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Orientation agency (NOA), political parties, NGOs, among others should embark on regular political education programmes to conscientize community members, especially the youths on the need for politics without violence to enhance peaceful coexistence of community inhabitants during and after elections of all kinds. ii. Government, NGOs, and any other organizations or philanthropists interested in curbing youth violence in communities should partner with facilitators in the field of peace and conflict studies and community development to carry out conflicts resolution training programme to equip youths with knowledge and skills required to avert, or manage conflict among youths. iii. Government at all levels, NGOs, Multinational organizations, coalition of civil society organizations interested in carrying out political and conflict resolution training programmes in Rivers State should adopt community engagement, involvement of youth leaders, partnership with religious institutions, workshops, seminars, as strategies to ensure the success of the programme.

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