Social Interaction and Conflict Between the Ihiagwa Host Community and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
Nwajiuba Chmyere Augusta · 2013
The study investigated sources of conflicts between the Ihiagwa host community and the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State. Data were generated through a survey of 450 indigenes selected through simple random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire and in depth interview were employed, and data analyzed using frequency distribution and manual content analysis. Social interaction between workers, students and Ihiagwa indigenes hostingFUTO are in form of coorperation and conflicts. Coperations are in form of common use of social amenities, worshiping together in religious places, attending festivals and other cultural activites and celebrations in FUTO. Conflicts result through land boundary adjustment issues, abuse of rights and fighting which led to death of students and Ihiagwa indigenes and well as destruction of houses and properties. Formal social control mechanisms such as community police and vigilante groups are majorly used in addressing major social conflicts such as fighting resulting to riots and loss of human lives. Findings further recommend that government should compensate the indigenous populations where necessar}- and find measures to encourage corperation as well as reduce sources of conflicts