SOME FEATURES OF CULTURE IN THREE MAJOR NIGERIAN ETHNIC GROUPS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

It is a fact that man cannot live without culture. Culture is a social heritage, and is a specific way of life of a group of people. Culture designs a complete way of life of living and creates skills that the society uses to survive. It is the culture of a society that directs and spells out their way of life or patterns of behaviour. Culture when well harnessed affects the growth and development of the society. The problem seems to be that, it is cultural diversity that has led to instability, corruption, and underdevelopment in a multilingual nation like Nigeria. The study therefore aims at the investigation of some similarities in some features of the cultures of the three major Nigerian ethnic groups, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. The aim is to seek a common ground for peace, harmony and togetherness amongst Nigerians. This will on the other hand breed honest citizens that will create a stable economy for national development. Data collection was done through oral interview, observation and library sources. It was however; found that, cultural values if articulated and incorporated into the nation’s policy will bring an unending peace and stability in the Nigeria society. Culture, therefore is a veritable tool for the development of any nation.