CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The role of traditional institutions such as traditional rulers, Town Unions or community association Age grades, the Umuada and women Development groups in Nigeria with the particular reference Awomama, Orlu East in Imo State. This institutions and agencies act as instrument for coordinating various social-economic activities within such a society and between it and other aims traditional institutions have been social agents as well as mass mobilization facilitators in various communities in Nigeria. Traditional rulers more often than not, negatively affect the development effort of the people. Traditional institutions should be working cooperatively and collaboratively, and not as cross purposes each of the institutions should confine itself within its area of influence, so that their effort towards the development of their area could be optionally utilized. The traditional institution should be people centered and development Oriented in their mission and vision. Historical reflection often points to the immutable fact that before the advent of Europeans in Nigeria. The various ethnic groups such as Igbo people, Hausa people and Yoruba people had various strategies for organizing the public affairs of their people as well as ensuring progress and development in their respective areas. There were traditional institutions through which public affairs of the people were organized. In Igbo land the traditional institution are the Umuadas, the Age grades, traditional rulers and Town Union.
The Umuada’s In the pre-colonial era, among the Igbo people women were held sacred and they participated in collective decisions making on certain sensitive issues that touched on their interest. They do this through an institutional group known as Otu Umuada members the Otu Umuada’s were dynamic, powerful and were well respected by their communities they were at times regarded by some guardians of the village traditions the Umuada’s often intervened whenever the constitution of the village was violated and they impose sanction on offenders.
THE AGE GRADES
The age grades are a very important organ of social structure especially in our traditional Nigerian communities. The formation and membership of an age grade is much revered activity. It is a Universal social institution that is highly appreciated by various communities. Over the years age grades in different communities have distinguished themselves in performing such roles that aim at enhancing the socio-economic life of the people. They help in such traditional functions as maintenance of I am and order, settlement of disputes between warning members. Constructions and maintenance of roads and markets, ensuring the cleanliness of local streams and above all, protecting their communities from external aggression. The age grades system is very strong, non- resident community members cannot avoid going home periodically to participate in the activities of their age grades. Traditional Rulers The word traditional rulers “entail the reign of a monarchy or a titled ruler vested with that activity to rule over a people in their affairs of life therefore traditional institutions are headed by traditional rulers and these institutions are very vital in bringing development closer to the rural people. Traditional have succeeded in boosting community development through the provisions of bore holders, rural roads, formation of co-operative societies, setting up markets, constructions of culverts, constructions of earth dams, mobilizing people for health programmes and residing disputes within their domains. Traditional rulers are the major people provided; they are answerable to a title ruler vested with the authority of governing the affairs of the people.
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