Ekwolo (Rivalry) and Issues of Community Development in Nando: the Role of the Elite

Abstract

No doubt, Ekwolo (Rivalry) has become the subject of our community “Small talk” Such that every negative thing or our inability to achieve Community Development is attributed to it. When two people disagree on any issue or there are differing groups, Ekwolo will be accused as the cause of the different views. What therefore is Ekwolo? Can it engender Community Development? What is the role of the Elite in engendering Community Development? These are the questions I seek answers in this paper. My conclusion is that Ekwolo as Local Rivalry is a natural phenomenon that exists not only within human being but also among all the living organisms that struggle for competitive advantage on limited and scarce resources. Therefore it is not only found in Nando but everywhere. The paper identified “strategic Ekwolo” as the one capable of engendering community development and argued that the Elites must not limit themselves in propounding theories of development but must be involved in the urgent need of community development. Using Mmuta Age Grade of Nando, Anambra State, Nigeria as a case study, the paper called for the harmonization of their potentials for Nando development.