Leadership Nature in Pre-Colonial Era
Culture as influence and affect socio-economic and political growth today because of the leadership nature in pre-colonial times. Laws were made by traditional rulers and such laws were a must to obey. The laws were inform of customs, folklores and proverbs. These laws were base on past experiences which were handed down from generations (called it ancestral laws). There was no separation of power, because the traditional ruler was the head and exercised legislative, executive and judicial functions. The difference was that functions were carried out at different times by the same people.
Today in Nigeria there is no separation of power between the three (3) arms of government; independencies of the three (3) arms are clearly seen. Apart from all these, the age grade was an integral part of the political system and they performed and execute the laws which were made by the traditional rulers and also performed functions of the police force. Sadly to say that secret societies played a dominant role in the government of pre-colonial times, which as influence and affects the socio-economic and political growth in our country Nigeria today.
Post-Independence Government
Government of Nigeria is a republic, with the president acting as both head of state and head of government. Nigeria has had a long history of coups d'etats, military rule, and dictatorship. However, this pattern was broken on 29 May 1999 as Nigeria's embarked on civilian rule otherwise called it democratic rule, following popular election that was held. Under the current constitution, presidential elections are to be held every four year, with no president serving more than two terms in office. Nigeria legislature consists of two houses: A senate and house of representative. All legislators are elected to four year term. With these change in leadership and government pattern, culture as being influence and this as affected the socio-economic and political growth of Nigeria for good and for bad, vice versa.
Ethical Foundation of our Society
Law and order is required in any society to guarantee the security of life itself, property and the liberty of citizens. But one might ask, how as ethnical foundation relate to cultural influence and affect the socio-economic and political growth in our country Nigeria? Yes, it has everything to do with cultural influence and affects socio-economic and political growth because, it is essential for economic prosperity, political stability and social cohesion. Also, knowing that economic development cannot take place without an appropriate legal framework to regulate economic activities and ensure peace and order in our society. That is why; Nigeria cannot have an enduring political and socio-economic growth without the respect for the rule of law.
Nigeria inherited from British colonial rule an extensive and solid system of jurisprudence which with necessary medications is capable of effectively regulating political, social and economic activities thereby effecting growth. So culture in the pre-colonial era played a major role in influencing and affecting the socio-economic and political growth in our dear country Nigeria.
Social Stratification
The highest tier of Nigerian society is made up of wealthy politicians, business man, and the educated elite. These people, however, make up only ting portion of the Nigerian population. Many Nigeria today suffer under great poverty.
The lower classes tend have little chance of making from the vicious cycle of poverty's Poor education, lack of job opportunities ,ill health, corrupt politician, and lack even small amount of wealth for investment all work to keep the lower classes in their place. This has influence and affects the socio-economic and political growth of our country Nigeria.
Values Play a Role in the Cultural Influence and Affect Socio-Economic and Political Growth
Since Nigeria is multi-ethnic society, bound to different values that is contradictory at many cases - a taboo or abominating in one part (one ethnic group) in Nigeria may not be the same in the other part (ethnic group). Even laws or rules enacted in one ethnic group may fail to gain acceptance across other ethnic groups due to different sets of values or culture. So, culture as influence and affect the socio-economic and political growth in our country Nigeria.
Conclusion
The advancement of our society in knowledge, skill, technology, information dissemination and communications as brought several cultural changes that as influence and affected socio-economic and political growth of a Nigerian child, which as a fact, as influence and affect the socio-economic and political growth of Nigeria.
A child is not born as a social being but gradually becomes one under the influence of cultural, socio-economic and political environment he or she finds himself or herself and thus can influence and affect the socio-economic and political growth of our country, Nigeria, either for good or for bad.
So culture has influence and affects socio-economic and political growth in Nigeria.
