ABSTRACT
The colonial administration of the pre-independence era in Nigeria used traditional authorities on a large scale in governance. Ever since then, traditional authorities have found themselves confronted with providing complimentary leadership in their domain. Their relevance in the contemporary societies appears to be diminishing with the result that various tiers of government appear to perceive and use them in governance in different ways and levels. This study appraised the roles and place of traditional authorities in Nigeria with particular reference to the Anambra North Senatorial Zone of Anambra State. For this purpose, a structured questionnaire was designed and administrated to 200 samples selected among traditional rulers, key local government council officials and key officials of Anambra State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. Following the collection and analysis of data, some salient findings were registered. They include, among others the fact that.
a)Traditional authorities play some essential and fundamental roles in governance in Nigeria
b)They were not only recognized, but also enjoy a significant place in governance especially at the grassroots level.
c)They performed their roles and functions very well and satisfactorily.
d)They engaged in the settlement and resolution of intra and inter communal feuds.
e)Chieftaincy feuds and tussles were found to occur to a moderate extent within Igbo communities.
f)To some extent which is considered small, government interfered in the activities and function of traditional authorities within Igbo speaking states of Nigeria.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page i
Approval Page ii
Dedication iii
Acknowledgement iv
Abstract v
Table of Contents vi
CHAPTER ONE:
1.0INTRODUCTION 1
1.1Background of the Study 1
1.2Statement of the Problem 5
1.3Objective of the Study 7
1.4Theoritical Foundation of the Study 8
1.5Research Questions 10
1.6Significance of the Study 11
1.7Scope of the Study 12
1.8Limitations of the Study 13
1.9Definition of Terms and Acronyms 14
References15
CHAPTER TWO
2.0LITERATURE REVIEW 16
2.1Traditional Authorities in the Pre-Colonial Era in Igbo-land16
2.2Traditional Authorities and Their Roles in Colonial
Administration in Nigeria19
2.3The Roles of Traditional Authorities in Governance 25
2.4Traditional Authorities and Community Development 28
Reference31
CHAPTER THREE
3.0RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 33
3.1Research Design 33
3.2.1Primary Sources 34
3.2.2Secondary Sources 34
3.3Location of Study34
3.4Data Collection 35
3.5Population 36
3.6Sample Size and Sampling Techniques 37
3.7Instrumentation 39
3.8Validity of Instrument 40
3.9Method of Data Presentation and Analysis 41
3.10Instrument Rate of Returns 41
3.11Findings42
3.12Recommendation44
3.13Conclusion47
References49
Bibliography50