Intergroup Relations in the Orashi Basin: The Experience of Odual and Her Abua Neighbour from Earliest Times to 2018
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Indexed Research Publishing Company
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The relationship between Odual and Abua cut across all facets of human lives and has spanned through the pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras of Nigerian history. Nonetheless, no comprehensive work has been done in the area. Many of the scholarly works done on the Niger Delta was centered on the major groups to the detriment of minor groups like Odual and Abua and their contributions to economic, political and social developments of the region, and how they survived such relationship with major neighbors, hence the need for this study. The study adopted the use of both primary and secondary sources, in generating the required data. It also made use of the interdisciplinary approach to further enrich the available historical data. To ensure validity of data, all the sources were cross examined before conclusions were made. The findings revealed that, Odual and her neighbors have long years of relationship influenced by historical ties, cultural affinities, boundary demarcations, trade, marriages, markets and political divisions for administrative convenience. Furthermore, the colonial and post-colonial eras of Odual relations with her neighbors resulted to increased volume of trade, markets, marriage contracts, socio-cultural ties, common language, political and economic co-operation, migrations and settlements which eventually culminated to land disputes, political marginalization and balkanization, deprivation and total neglect. The relationship between Odual and her Abua neighbours was not devoid of wars and conflicts but in such times, the use of diplomacy, dialogue and tolerance by the Odual group ensured peace. Nevertheless, the researcher recommended a holistic study of all groups in the region, as well as advocate for the abhorrence of internal colonialism, use of diplomacy and dialogue to resolve differences amongst groups within the region.
Keywords
Odual, Abua, Intergroup Relations, Neighbours, Marginalization, Diplomacy