Effect of Small Group Communication Counseling Intervention Strategy on Knowledge and Intention Towards Painting Among Internally Displaced Persons of the Farmers/Herdsmen Conflict in Benue State

Abstract

Although progress has been made in examining different aspects of the conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria, literature is yet to focus on how to empower displaced persons of the conflict with knowledge and skills that will make them self-sufficient. In this study, we extended literature on the conflict by examining the effectiveness of a small group communication counselling intervention on knowledge and intention towards painting. We categorized the IDPs into 20 small groups made up of 9 persons and 14 smaller groups made up of 4 persons. Within the framework of human capital theory and theory of planned behaviour, we tested two hypotheses and found that though both the treatment and control groups did not significantly differ in their mean scores on knowledge and intention towards the painting skill before the treatment, they significantly differed after the treatment with the treatment group reporting better knowledge of painting skill and positive intentions towards it. We also found that the smaller group of four persons scored higher in knowledge of painting than the larger group with up to nine members. We highlighted the implications of these results on efforts aimed at improving the lives of displaced persons.

New Technology and Conflict Resolution: Digitally Recorded Music-Based Counselling as a Communication Intervention Strategy for Promoting Cattle Ranching in Nigeria

“…Ale (2020) also notes that information is essential for behaviour change. Torti et al (2021) and Gever et al (2021) hold a similar view.…”

“…The result of the current study has extended debates on issues related to the conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria. For example, in the previous arguments, researchers have focused attention to areas such as media coverage (Gever, 2019; Gever and Essien, 2017; Nwachukwu et al, 2021), causes of the conflict (Idowu, 2017; Ofuoku and Isife, 2009), the impact of the conflict, how to empower victims of the conflict (Gever et al, 2021; Torti, 2021), why solutions to the conflict are rejected by the general public (Ademola, 2020), as well as the impact of the conflict (Kwaghster P.A, 2019). However, strategies for promoting ranching have not been significantly examined in the literature.…”

“…A look at the headlines of national daily newspapers reveals headlines such as “Thirty houses burnt in fresh farmers/herders clash;” “Government declares 24 hours curfew as farmers and herders renew hostility;” “More than 100 persons killed in herders-farmers conflict,” among others. Gever et al (2021) and Nwachukwu et al (2021) aver that the consistent conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria has proven to be one of the most worrying conflict situations deserving of urgent government attention. In the views of Gever et al (2021), almost every state in Nigeria has experienced the conflict between farmers and herdsmen.…”

“…Gever et al (2021) and Nwachukwu et al (2021) aver that the consistent conflict between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria has proven to be one of the most worrying conflict situations deserving of urgent government attention. In the views of Gever et al (2021), almost every state in Nigeria has experienced the conflict between farmers and herdsmen. Examples of states with pronounced cases include: Niger; Benue; Plateau; Kaduna; Nasarawa; Enugu; Zamfara; among others.…”

“…It is important to add here that the federal government of Nigeria has also suggested some solutions aimed at addressing the ongoing dispute. Gever et al (2021) list some of the proposed solutions to include: Fulani Radio, Cattle Colony, as well as the Ruga settlement. These suggestions were largely rejected by the Nigerian public who regarded such policies as designed to give undue advantage to the Fulani ethnic group.…”