The Concept Of Peace And Panacea To Community Relation And Crisis Management In Bayelsa State (A Survey Of Emadike And Epebu Community)
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at ascertaining the role of peace as a panacea to community relational crisis management. The conflict between Emadike and Epebu communities was the focus of this study. Although conflicts are an intrinsic part of human existence, the prevalence of conflicts in the African continent is alarming. The regular occurrence of conflicts in the African continents has been attributed to a lot of factors ranging from generalized poverty, ethnic tensions, corrupt and incompetent governments, mass unemployment, social exclusion and competition for scarce resources. The concept for the prevalence of conflicts is their destructive nature which constitutes a threat to the socio-economic development and sustainable livelihoods. In order to obtain reliable and authentic findings that would provide relevant knowledge to the field of peace and conflict studies, the survey method of research design was adopted by the research. After careful analysis of the data collected, it was observed that although conflicts cannot be completely eradicated, they can at least be reduced by putting certain structures in place and taking certain definite steps. These include the respect for life, liberty, justice, solidarity, tolerance, human rights, equality between men and women, appreciation of cultural diversity and a culture f dialogue, participation and cooperation. It was thus recommended that apart from putting these structures in place, that people should be encountered to change their greedy and selfish dispositions and attitudes, and thus become more accommodating, tolerant and harmonious in their relationships and co-existence. Also, civil societies should be encouraged preach democratic conduct, peaceful consistence and dialogue as a means of peaceful resolution of conflict.