TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS AGENTS OF COMMUNITY INTEGRATION FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION: A STUDY OF OZUITEM, ABIA STATE. 1999-2015

Abstract

The data that is now available indicates that pre-colonial Ozuitem civilization had a systematic and structured system of government. The primary cause of the decades-long social disputes that have their roots in socio-economic and political system is the non-participatory functions of traditional institutions in modern Ozuitem as opposed to their roles in managing both people and resources in pre-colonial times. Traditional institutions are no longer relevant as a result of this transformation, which also poses risks to the community's peace, security, and stability. This essay seeks to analyze aspects of traditional institutions and community integration in Ozuitem. The Paper used both secondary data and primary sources as part of its research. The document makes several proposals, some of which include giving those institutions a constitutional function and encouraging friendly connections between the government and those institutions to lessen local strife. The government's recognition of traditional institutions at all levels will improve their performance, particularly when it comes to handling issues relating to Community integration and transformation in Ozuitem. Traditional institutions in Ozuitem should be granted constitutional roles so they could have a say in the management of their respective locales, not just as advisors, but also as developers to the Community.