The Contributions Of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) To The Rehabilitation Of The Victims Of Boko Haram Insurgency In Nigeria

The Contributions of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to the Rehabilitation of The Victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria

ADEWUMI, Ola Adewale
West African Management Development Institutes Network (WAMDEVIN)
Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON)
M. B. 1004, Topo – Badagry, Lagos Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The current security crises in Nigeria, orchestrated by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country has posed monumental threats to both the internal and international security due to the spiraling effects it has had on the neighboring countries like Niger, Chad and Cameroon to which most victims flee for refuge.

The insurgency which started in 2009, had led to the destruction and destabilization of many parts of the North-Eastern zone of Nigeria.  Several lives have been lost, many people kidnapped, critical infrastructures destroyed and the economy of the region further bastardized.   While over two million people have forcefully fled into nearby urban areas, few others are in formal humanitarian camps while majority of the victims mostly women and children are struggling to access basic needs such as shelter, food, health, education and clothing.

The general objective of the study is to examine whether or not NGOs have contributed to the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in North Eastern Nigeria and to see whether they can contribute more meaningfully to the rehabilitation of the victims of the Insurgency in that part of the country or elsewhere, by so doing, bringing about improvement to the lives of the victims.

The study employs two theories or models.  The first one is the “donor-driven model” which holds that Non-Governmental Organisations carry out their developmental activities with directives and strings attached from the donor countries.   The second theory is the “third sector model” which is believed to be people-centered, flexible, and uses participatory management style in development-oriented NGO programs. The “third sector model” says that NGOs are important in making up for the institutional weaknesses of the state and market through promoting socio-economic development (independent and dependent variables).

By way of scholarly exegesis and empirical evidences which have been predicated on both primary and secondary sources, this research discovers that in addition to efforts of relevant governments at rehabilitating the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have also been actively engaged in providing critical humanitarian assistance to the victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in North Eastern Nigeria. The author praises this effort and recommends the need to further encourage and strengthen the NGOs to make them more vibrant and relevant in promoting peace as well as social and economic prosperity in the country.

INTRODUCTION

The North Eastern part of Nigeria most especially Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States have been impacted by the Islamist insurgency in Nigeria.  For as far back as 2014, the states have become home to camps housing several thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing violence from Boko Haram in locations such as Mubi, Madagali, Askiral-Uba, Bama  and Gwoza in the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe (OCHA, 2019).

Various government and Non-Governmental Organizations serving the communities have been pledging to provide continuing humanitarian assistance to the people.   The researcher’s visit to Adamawa and Borno States confirmed the fact that the heavily hit parts of the states were being reconstructed by development partners made up of government and Non-Governmental Organisations.  It is a fact that there are so many NGOs that operate in the North Eastern part of Nigeria both local and international, but this study focuses on nine of them namely: the Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group; the Norwegian Refugee Council; T Y Danjuma Foundation; REACH International; ADRA International; Boko Haram Victims Relief (BHVR); Chris Oyakhilome Foundation; Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Muslim Public Affairs Centre.

The NGOs were selected due to the fact that most of them have been operating in the States for over a decade in assisting the IDPs in the areas of health, education, poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, etc. all of which are part of the focus of this study.  They have embarked on so many projects that were found worthy by this study.

This study examines some matters that affect the general well-being of IDPs/refugees such as shelter, food, health, and education and income generation. However, the study selected one local government from each of the States. In Borno State, Askiraluba Local Government was chosen while Honn Local Government was chosen in Adamawa State.

The period of study covered 2009 to 2022. This is because the period witnessed series of attacks by the insurgents and which have led to colossal loss of human lives, great movement of people from their immediate environments and massive destruction of property in affected communities. The period coincides with the period of the reign of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the major part of the tenure of the reign of President Muhammadu Buhari.

 Between these periods, significant increase in terms of NGO activities as well as increase in their number was witnessed. It also coincides with the new democratic government in which the quest for dividends of democracy through the transformation of citizens’ lives in terms of project and programmes aimed at not only to bring about change to the people but also take the citizens to the next level was high.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Prior to 2009 when insurgency broke out affecting some parts of the North Eastern area of Nigeria, there had been relative peace in the region and life was not only enjoyable, co-existence of all tribes and all religions adherents was also hitch-free.   (Meagre, 2014).   Borno State, for example was referred to as the home of peace while Adamawa is known as Land of Beauty, Hospitality and Sunshine. As such, there existed free flow of economic activities as businesses ranging from farming, education, health and trade were going on undisturbed and people lived their lives without fear of intimidation, harassment or attacks from any quarters (Meagher, 2014)).

However, the peace which hitherto was enjoyed in Nigeria has been greatly threatened by the prevailing security challenge which has immensely negatively affected not only the affected parts of the country but has tremendously hindered the progress and development of the nation.  Today, the country is classified among the dangerous places to visit for international visitors.  The economy of the country has been badly affected.  Most people have been killed, many others maimed for life while some who managed to escape for their lives have become refugees in other parts of Nigeria and neighboring countries (OCHA, 2019).

The trauma being experienced by the victims can never be fully described.  While many are not too fortunate to tell the story because they died in the process of undergoing torture and deprivations even in the places of their refuge, many are in the neighboring countries like Cameroon, Republic of Benin, etc. sojourning.  Many victims in various refugee/IDP camps, even though are being taken care of by some agencies that look after their interests, are not adequately comfortable because there appears to be no place like home.

Through the various interventions of relevant stakeholders including the governments and non-state actors, many victims of the Boko Haram insurgency are either able to find their ways back to their communities or were returned by the agency that initially provided rescue support to them to run for their lives. Having returned from either the refugee/IDP camps or from the various places of temporary abode/asylum, there is need for the victims to be adequately reintegrated, rehabilitated and re-oriented into the society.

Apart from the traditional roles of Government in the areas of security and provision of reliefs to traumatized people in the nation on one hand, on the other hand are interventions from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) which have been growing significantly towards the end of the 20th century. The NGOs are accepted in Nigeria as development partners coming to fill the gap left by the government.

In Borno, Adamawa and other parts of the Boko Haram attacked states, there are some Non-Governmental Organizations making positive contribution towards rehabilitating the victims of Boko Haram insurgency. These NGOs include the Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group; the Norwegian Refugee Council; T Y Danjuma Foundation; REACH International; ADRA International; Boko Haram Victims Relief (BHVR); Chris Oyakhilome Foundation; Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Muslim Public Affairs Centre.

Despite all these commitments by Government and interventions from both international and local NGOs, Borno and Adamawa as well as few states in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria, the victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in the affected areas are still finding it extremely hard to survive and their condition is becoming more and more terrible over time. For example, high level of illiteracy, high rate of disease, poor health, malnutrition, high infant mortality rate, low level of life expectancy, poverty, unemployment, inadequate shelter and so on is prevalent in these areas.

Several authors have written on Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria.   While many considered the plights of the victims, others wrote on the effects of the insurgency on the economy of the region, Non-Governmental Organisations Role in the Crisis, etc.   Such authors include Akinbi (2015), Sara Crowther (2001), Ukpong-Umo (2016), Amalu (2015), Yakubu et al (2016), Okon (2018), to mention but a few.  However, while most of the studies appreciate the enormity of the challenges posed by the insurgents operation in the area and the colossal  loss their operations had caused the region in particular and the nation in general and some acknowledge the role of NGOs in the area, none of them undertook the study on the specific contributions of NGOs to the Rehabilitation of the Victims of the Boko Haram Insurgency in the North Eastern Nigeria with particular focus on Borno and Adamawa States. This is the gap this study has filled.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The main aim of this study is to examine whether NGOs have contributed to the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in North Eastern Nigeria or not and to see whether they can contribute more meaningfully to the rehabilitation of the victims of the Boko Haram Insurgency in the place and by so doing, bringing about improvement to the lives of the victims.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

For the purpose of this research, the following research questions are asked:

• Have NGOs contributed to the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno and Adamawa States or not?
• How and in what areas can NGOs help in improving the lives of victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the states sampled towards the development of the North-Eastern Nigeria?

HYPOTHESES

In addressing our central problem, the following hypotheses are formulated to be tested at the end of the research:

• Non-Governmental Organisations have not contributed to the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in North-Eastern Nigeria of Borno and Adamawa States.
• Non-Governmental Organisations cannot contribute to the rehabilitation efforts of IDPs/refugees in Nigeria.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research focuses on the Contributions of Non-Governmental Organisations to the Rehabilitation of the Victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in the North-Eastern Nigeria.

Geographical Scope

The research based its study on two of the three most badly affected states by Boko Haram.  The three states being Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) States.   Borno and Adamawa States were the ones visited out of the three.  Yobe State, a neighboring State to Borno was not visited due to the similarities in experiences. The concentration on the two chosen states was due to the fact that they were the ones most hit by the insurgency.    Two villages from each state were chosen.  Relevant information on Yobe and other areas not covered by the research was obtained from secondary sources to corroborate the findings and make for a comprehensive data.

Content Scope

The study gathered information on nine organisations namely The Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group, The Norwegian Refugee Council, T Y Danjuma Foundation, REACH International, ADRA International, Boko Haram Victims Relief (BHVR), Chris Oyakhilome Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Muslim Public affairs Centre. The focus of the study was on NGOs that work to restore lives and livelihoods in the Boko Haram insurgency-affected North Eastern Nigeria.    The special interest of the study was the contributions of the Non-state actors to the process of rebuilding the area and as such, the identified NGOs were picked and their roles carefully examined.

Time Scope

The study covers all aspects of the selected NGOs contributions to the rehabilitation of lives and livelihoods in the Boko Haram insurgency-affected North Eastern Nigeria from 2009 to 2022.  Many of the NGOs were established before the insurgency broke out while some began after 2009 in response to the crisis.  In view of this, a clear insight about their operations is informed by a sufficient time span of over a decade.

CONCEPTUAL ISSUES

What is Insurgency and What is Terrorism?

The word “insurgency” is not a modern concept but one which had been in existence for quite a long time and as such, attempts have been made at different times by scholars and theorists to define/describe the term.  However, there has not been agreement among them as to the precise universal definition or description of insurgency.   Moore, 2007/2 cited by Amalu (2015) says that the commonly accepted meanings of the term remain elusive with predictable conceptual confusion.  His belief is that when the work of many scholars and writers are examined, one notices the use of words such as irregular warfare or guerrilla fights.  Lilio (2004) and Curtas (2006) cited by Amalu (2015) while arguing that insurgency is not terrorism, subversion, guerrilla war, revolution, or coup d’etat, they however agree that some insurgent groups have adopted some of their methods to realise their goals. 

According to Webster (2003), “insurgency is a condition of revolt against a government that is less than an organized revolution and that is not recognized as belligerency”.  Elshemani (2016) sees insurgency as being “the struggle of the weak against a materially superior ruling power”.   He views insurgency as an ‘act of desperation organized against the state after efforts at ensuring a peaceful social change is vehemently resisted.   Means such as guerrilla warfare as well as military and political tactics are therefore employed to ensure preservation of their group”.

The United States Department of Defence (DOD 2007), looks at insurgency as “an organized movement aimed at overthrow of a constituted government through the use of subversion and armed conflict”.   Mbasua et all (2016), citing Ifeoma, Purity and Anaggogu (2015) agree that insurgency is a “systematic approach used by a group of people to kill, destroy and violently intimidate innocent citizens for their selfish interest”.  Ukpong-Umo (2016) while noting that threats posed by insurgency have intensified and assumed a global dimension in recent times, he agrees that not all rebellions are insurgencies especially “if a state of belligerency exists between one or more sovereign states and rebel forces, even if the revolt takes the form of armed rebellion” Ukpong-Umo (2016).

Terrorism refers to the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government or its citizens to further certain political or social objective” (Mbasua, et al, 2016).  Also citing Nafiu, Okpanachi and Nurudeen (2014), Mbasua (2016) says terrorism are those violent acts that intend to create fear perpetuated for religious, political and ideological goals and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants.

Going by the above definitions and description of insurgency, it could be reasonably concluded that insurgencies are carried out mainly by aggrieved and desperate anti-government agents who feel marginalized, secluded, excluded, oppressed and unfairly neglected in the power share or feel economically un-catered for or segregated by the ruling class in a given society.  Because the aggrieved see no better means of making their demands met, they resort to violent means to cause chaos through illegal and unlawful use of arms to attack innocent citizens in a guerrilla warfare manner.

It could therefore be reasonably agreed to, from the above that insurgencies are goal-oriented, as their action is purposeful and usually not at just correcting any perceived injustice or undue exclusion by the legal administration for discrimination against their group but their action is orchestrated by inordinate desire to capture the state or render it ungovernable for the legally constituted government, using guerrilla warfare tactics to threaten, kill, and/or destroy governance structure as well as lives and property.

Nature and Characteristics of Insurgencies

In the literature, it has been agreed that certain features or characteristics are commonly observed in actions that can be regarded as being insurgency. Abolurin (2012) says that insurgents are inferior to the counterinsurgent, especially in the early stages of fight for power.   He held that “the supposed enemy is with more superior in economic resources, numbers and organization”. He also says that self-preservation of the group, direct combat in open spaces, aiming at gradually bleeding the enemy to death by employing hit and run tactics, guerilla warfare, illusiveness, intelligence gathering capabilities, knowledge of local terrain and endurance are all parts of the characteristics of insurgents while they constantly seek to “dislocate the population from the government by creating alternative social, political and cultural institutions”.  According to him, the four main inter-related characteristics are namely: use of “irregular warfare”, the primacy of political mobilization; the connected reliance on propaganda and terrorism as forms of political communication (Abolurin, 2012).

Ukpong-Umo (2016) observes that one other characteristic of the insurgents is the use of kidnapping in their struggle for the state power. Ukpong noted that kidnapping, a criminal offence occurs when an individual, against his or her will, is seized and detained by another individual in violation of the individual’s fundamental human rights.  Citing Golberg (2000), Ukpong-Umo (2016) stresses that for the crime of kidnapping to take place, an individual must have been illegally seized and detained, forcefully abducted and subdued with threat or terror.  He sees it as an unlawful capture, seizure, forceful, wrong and illegal detention by abductors against the will of the abductee.

From the above, it is clear that insurgents use kidnapping to unleash terror on the population.  Their victims who may not necessarily be kids but adults and women inclusive, are subjected to humiliation and torture. In some cases, especially in stratified societies, some people get kidnapped by ritual killers (Achebe, 2008) cited by Ukpong-Umo (2016), and this usually is with political or economic undertones.   

Causes of Boko Haram Insurgency

Several scholars have put up papers to explain the reasons for the emergence of continuous assault on the Nigerian nation by the Boko Haram insurgency group. Meagher (2014), advanced reasons for the continued rise in activities of the Islamic group to include economic inorganizations, governance failure, attempt to revenge the authority’s killing of their members as well as security failures as indicated below.

Poverty owing to economic marginalization of the region

Meagher (2014) posits that poverty brought about by economic marginalization of the Muslim-dominated Northern part of Nigeria had been caused by lack of adequate education, industries and public sector retrenchment unlike in the Southern part where most people were educated and benefitting from various government economic activities.

Political and religious factors

The neglect by government which supposes to be the father of all, owing to religious and political factors, had also compounded the problem. Meagher is of the view that government’s inability to provide employment for the jobless youths has further heightened the rate of youth’s restiveness.  The fanatism of some Islamic religion’s adherents which demonstrates hatred for other religions such as Christianity also accounts for the reason for the onslaught which was initially targeted at destroying Christians and their churches.

Bad governance

‘Poor governance’, corruption and the oppressive behavior of northern ethnics have also been said to have greatly fueled the mayhem. The group claimed that the arrest and extra judicial execution of the first Boko Haram leader, the destruction of the first mosaic and government arrest of families of Boko Haram members were all given as part of the reasons for the continued operation of the sect (Meagher 2014).

Failure of the security agencies to adequately secure the country

According to Akinbi (2015), both the police and the military have failed in their bid to properly secure the country.  Akinbi (2015) believes that most of the time, when the security agencies claim to have defeated the Boko Haram sect in a certain encounter, the sect often comes out with more attacks and bombings, leaving even more people dead than in previous attacks.  The capture, in April, 2014, of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, (even though some of them were later rescued) also talks much about the weakness of the security operatives to adequately secure the nation.

Activities of the Joint Civilian Task Force

Also writing on the security factor, Sanda (2014), cited by Meagher (2014), is of the conviction that the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) who were largely with inadequate training often assisted the military but at the end, were not absorbed into the military. This resulted in some either being taken over by the insurgents while others were either killed or maimed.

The Case of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

Internally displaced persons refer to individuals or group of individuals who have been forced or by obligations required to flee their homes or places of residence as a result of crisis, violence or human made disasters. According to UNCHR (2015) cited by Ocon 2018, 59.5 million people have been forced across the globe out of their homes as at the end of year 2014 while many of them were refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced. War, violence and persecution have been responsible for the unprecedented mass displacement (The Guardian 2016, cited by Ocon 2018). In Siria, by the end of 2014, the conflicts in the country had made 3.88 million people to become refugees in the middle East and beyond while in Iraq, 3.6 million people had become internally displaced as a result of the Islamic States conflict as at the end of 2017. Libya had 309,000 people newly displaced in 2014 and Ivory Coast, Central Africa Republic, Libya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and many parts of Burma are Pakistan have had their experiences in the area of displacement. (the Guardian 2016, cited by Ocon (2018).

In Nigeria, 3.3 million persons have been displaced by conflicts and violence and this made Nigeria to rank behind Syria with 6.5 million IDPs and Columbia with 5.7 million IDPS. (Naig.com.n.d cited by Ozon (2018). This conflict caused by Boko Haram insurgents especially in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States had caused untold hardship to the dwellers in the affected places.  While several lives were lost and critical infrastructures destroyed, many people who were fortunate to escape continue to suffer in the communities and add to the number of internally displaced persons in Nigeria. According to Olagunju (2006), the case of the IDPs is highly precarious, and corroborating this, Ogwo (2013) decried the terrible case of male and female children between age 10 to 15 years who manifested serious aggression while in IDP camps as a result of their previous experience in their local communities.  In the study of Olukolajo (2014) cited by Ocon (2018), most internally displaced persons are totally afraid of doing any meaningful business in the camp or even returning to their local communities. Eweka and Olusegun (2016) also lamented the deplorable situation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and advised that there should be improvement on the management of IDPS. In their study Adamu and Rasheed (2016) critically viewed the insecurity situation in the North Eastern Nigeria and observed that the victims are subjected to all manners of inhuman treatment, exploitation and humiliation and called relevant stakeholders to urgently come to the aid of the IDPs.  Ocon (2018) while expressing concern with the precarious situation of the IDPs who have constituted a socio-economic problem, admonished researchers to undergo an examination of the solution to the issue of Internal Displacement in Nigeria and the rest of the world. In actual fact, Ocon (2018) understood the enormity of the challenges posed by internal displacement of persons globally and beckons on people to nib the problem on the board.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs)

Even though no clear agreement has come out of the literature as to the precise definition of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), authors have agreed that NGOs are present in almost all nations of the world (Adewumi, 2002).  Manji and O’Coill (2002) say NGOs have significantly contributed to the growth of the society through provision of aid, poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor. United Nations (1995) cited by Mercer (2002) says that Non-Governmental Organizations are partners in development. Falcitelli and Montanarini (1999) have also observed that the developmental philosophy of NGOs actually distinguishes them and gives them a unique niche from other corporate organisations.

Attempting to define the term ‘Non-Governmental Organisations’, many scholars and authors, have come up with various definitions looking at NGOs from the angles of their work. Crowther (2001) refers to NGOs as formal organisations of people engaged in activities that are not primarily for their own benefits but for the people they serve. She posits that NGOs provide mechanism that might work where government has failed and because of this, are usually effective in reaching out to the less privileged, a factor which makes them a preferred choice to funders who usually work through them (Crowther 2001).

According to Wagona (2007), NGOs are organisations that play supportive role in development especially in rehabilitation or other humanitarian services.  Supporting Wangona, (Launi 2008) describes NGOs as a term which encompasses various organisations that are usually involved in charity, and designing/implementing of projects and advocacy. Ghali (1995) cited by Launi (2008) says the failure of government to provide basic amenities for the people that supposed to be main beneficiaries gave rise to the formation of most Non-Governmental Organisations. Launi (2008), further citing Olena (1999) says NGOs are organized non-profit association or groups different from institutionalized political structure in a given locality.

Daodu (2008) says NGOs are “legally constituted organisations created by private persons or organisations with no participation or representation of any government”.  In their work Omofonmwan and Odia (2009) stated that NGOs are non-profit creation, self-governing and led by willful volunteers.  They indicated that NGOs are groupings that are outside the domain of government in the areas of formation, funding, management and the processes and procedure in which it carries out its set objectives geared towards cultural, socio-economic and political transformation of all facets of the society.

According to Falae (2017), “Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are companies that are mostly independent from any government”.  Falae posits that while naturally the name implies that the organisations do not belong to government, some NGOs usually derive their funding from government and as such, not all NGOs are totally independent of government support as indeed some of them depend heavily on government funding for their operations. Agreeing with Falae’s assertion, Daodu (2008) says, Nobel Prize Winner Doctors Without Borders – Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) gets 46% of its income from government sources while the World Vision, a Christian relief and development NGO, in 1998 got goods worth US$55 million dollar or N6,600,000,000 billion from the American government while OXFAM, a famine – relief NGO, in 1998 got US$162 million dollars or N19,440,000,000 billion from the British government and the EU.  Falae (2017) however states that the primary purpose of NGOs existence is to improve on the lives of people through the provision of services for the benefit of the people who ordinarily could not be reached by the prevailing.

From the above descriptions and definitions of Non-Governmental Organisations, it is clear that NGOs are purposeful organisations that differ from governmental set ups and which exist primarily to contribute to the development process by making critical service available for the less-privileged members of a given society without a motive of earning monetary profit from such intervention.

Characteristics of Non-Governmental Organisations

Even though NGOs have been variously described and defined, authors have brought out several characteristics of the Non-state actors. NGOs also carry out services to the communities they serve.  Such services, which can be similar to those run by government of the land are usually complementary.   Writing on this, Daodu (2008) says some general characteristics of development-oriented NGOs include:

1. Ownership of NGOs: Unlike Government agencies and establishments, NGOs are owned by private individuals who may necessarily not have any affiliation with government.  This makes it independent of government control.  Control and management are usually by the Board of Directors/trustees appointed by the NGO.
2. The motive of NGOs is not for profit. The organisation intends to serve the community but aback into the organisation;

• Voluntary association. This means that those supporting an NGO’s development objectives should have the opportunity to join in its activities as partners in development;

1. Funding is usually through grants from various sources including the board of trustees, government, donors (local and foreign) programmes and projects executed.
2. Approachability and accessibility: The organisation and staff are easily approachable and accessible to the community due to closeness and openness in relationship with the local people (Adewumi, 2002).
3. They make use of volunteers and experts to solve identified problems and usually give remuneration for services rendered. The remuneration may depend on the nature and types of the assignment and the funds available.

Purpose/Motives of NGOs

According to Daodu (2008), NGOs exist to render assistance to individuals or develop communities in order to promote sustainable development at grassroots. The trio agree that NGOs motive include to promote social welfare and development but not for financial or profit benefits. To them, improving the lives of the people through provision of various services such as humanitarian aid, healthcare, legal support, human rights activism, informative events and so on free of charge is the main motive and concern of NGOs noting that their staff are highly committed to non-violence and are well motivated to serve the people.

General Advantages of NGOS

NGOs are quite advantageous in any given society.  According to Mohammed (2008), this is because they:

• further the political or social goals of their members (or founders):
• improve the natural environment,
• encourage the observance of human rights,
• improve the welfare of the disadvantaged
• represent a corporate agenda
• have goals which cover a wide range of issues
• are usually socially responsible
• offer Empowerment: Aim to help poor people understand the social, political and economic factors affecting their lives, and to increase awareness of their power to control their lives. With maximum involvement by the beneficiaries, the NGOs are facilitators.

Although NGOs are bound by national laws and practices, four main groups may be found worldwide:

• Unincorporated and voluntary association
• Trusts, charities, and foundations
• Not-for-profit companies
• Entities formed (or registered) under special NGO or nonprofitlaws

Constraints to role performance

Most scholars and authors did not argue about the relevance or contributions of NGOs to the development agenda of government.  Adewumi (2002) describes this role as being “catalytic” to national development as the activities of most of them have been found to compliment government efforts towards the promotion of sustainable development.  However, much as the well-meaning NGOs are set out to enhance the promotion of sustainable development in a given locality, there are several constraints that hinder role performance.  One of the immediate challenges facing NGOs is the need to rapidly respond to changes that occur on regular basis and have the capacity to initiate, sustain and accommodate changes which are part of life.

As a corollary to the above, a pivotal area of concern for the future of NGOs should be sustainability. NGOs should become increasingly more dynamic in self-financing of little-little projects which will raise funds for their routine expenditure and help them to be able to maintain their staff instead of having to await assistance before meeting a need of this nature.

In view of some bad eggs that had infiltrated the NGOs world, credible NGOs must continue to display high level of integrity both in dealing with donors and in reporting actions and activities to the community.  This will go a long way in helping the NGOs on the long run and further enhance their relevance (Adewumi, 20022).

There is also the urgent imperative of the need to engage all other relevant stakeholders meaningfully and network to ensure that projects are not only supported but made to become sustainable and self-financing after execution.  Experience has shown that most projects do not last long after execution and donation to the community.  It is hereby recommended that all the beneficiaries be engaged and made to commit themselves to the issue of sustainability even right from the period of conception and installation (Adewumi, 2002).

Review of Empirical Studies

Various researchers have carried out studies on the issue of Boko Haram Insurgency in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.  For instance, Yenda (2016) conducted a study on the Boko Haram Insurgency, the Internally Displaced and Humanitarian response in North Eastern Nigeria.  The central problem of the study was to look at the efforts of Government and the international donor community in assisting the people. Yenda found that both government and the donor communities have done some level of work in the region while urging government to ensure better lives for the displaced people but did not delve into NGOs contributions to the rehabilitation of the victims of the insurgency in the area, a gap this study has adequately filled.

Akinbi (2015) examines the Boko Haram Insurgency in Northern Nigeria and the quest for a permanent resolution of the crisis.  Akinbi investigates the insurgency and underscores the urgent imperative for early resolution of the crisis.  It also looks at the effect of the insurgency which include serious threat to national interest peace and security, internal population displacement, violation of fundamental human rights, debilitating effect on the entrenchment of democratic principles in Nigeria among others. The study finds out that most of the circumstances that led to the insurgencies are related to frustration caused by high rate of poverty, unemployment, weak governance, religious fanatism among others. Akinbi (2015) however did not focus on the work of NGOs in rebuilding lives and livelihood in the crisis-ridden area, a gap this study has effectively filled.

In her work, Sara Crowther (2001) examines the role of Non-Governmental Organisations, local and international in post war peace-building. The study views the critical situation of refugees and Internally Displaced Populations in War ridden places. It was discovered that NGOs and CBOs have contributed immensely to Post War Peace-Building. However, the study does not specifically examine any specific African experience. This study has however come to fill the gap left by the work of Sara when it focuses on the Internally Displaced in the North-Eastern Nigeria and made frantic efforts to look at their plight and way out.

So also, in a study conducted by Ukpong-Umo (2016), titled “Insurgency in Nigeria and the Challenge of Nationhood, an examination of the endemic nature of the insurgency in Nigeria and the effect it has caused on the young, the old, male and female indigenes as well as aliens” was undertaken. The study discovers that internal democracy is being threatened by the incessant attacks from the insurgents and recommends youth empowerment and mobilization as well as effective security.  However, the study did not look at the case of the Internally Displaced and the contributions of the non-state actors towards their rehabilitation.  This study has therefore adequately filled the gap.

Furthermore, in a related development, Amalu (2015), conducted a study on the Impact of Boko Haram Insurgency on Human Security in Nigeria in which he undertook an examination of the threats of Boko Haram insurgency on human security in Nigeria. The study found out that insurgency has claimed a lot of lives and property; compounded the food and nutrition insecurity situation in the country; aided the spread of infectious disease; denied millions of children and youths’ access to education; increased the number of internally displaced persons with dire need of shelter and has caused people to live in constant fear and anxiety. The work concluded that Boko Haram Insurgency has negative impact on human security and recommends that counter-insurgency will be effective only when issues of poverty, corruption and bad governance are effectively addressed. However, the work of Amalu (2015) did not address the NGOs role of development partners in the rehabilitation of the insurgency victims.  This gap has however been effectively filled by this study.

In another development, Okon 2018, looked at Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria.  The study examined the factors and causes of internal displacement in the North Eastern Nigeria. The study discovered that those IDPs were not adequately taken care of but did not x-ray the development partners role in rehabilitating the victims of the insurgency, a gap which this study has adequately filled.

In a similar work to that of Yakubu (2006), Mbasua, Muhammad and Abia (2016) examined the implications of Book Haram insurgency on small and medium enterprises in Borno State. The study discovered that the major implication of Boko Haram insurgency includes the destruction of small and medium enterprises and will result in another crisis in the near future. The study recommends that much as security is everybody’s business, the Nigerian government, the international community and other related organisation should do more to end the crisis through the provision of adequate security. Much as the study expresses concerns with the condition of the dwellers and advocates the need for development partners to end the crisis, the role of NGOs in the rehabilitation of the victims of the insurgency was not stressed.  This has however been adequately taken care of in this study.

Moreover, Mohammed and Yawa (2018), reviews the Role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Post Conflict Peace Building in North Eastern, Nigeria using elite theory which hinges on the trust that public policy is by and large the mirror image of elite interest. While agreeing that some NGOs have played important role, they advocated that their role should include reconstruction and resettlement as lasting solution to the conflict. The findings of the study revealed that the development undertakings of the NGOs adopted as case studies are widely spread across all the various sectors of development (i.e. health, education, agriculture, environment, etc.). The study also found out that all the NGOs studied can be described as developmental NGOs based on the fact that all their objectives touch on basic needs provisions, job creation, income enhancement and general involvement in development management undertakings, although to differing extents. However, even though the authors agreed that NGOs have played important role in insurgency assistance, they only advocated that NGOs should include reconstruction and resettlement of the victims.  This is a gap that this study has filled.

Theoretical Framework

A study of this type can be explained using different theories or models.  One of them is the “donor-driven model”.  This model, according to Mawdsley et al, (2002); Wallace, 2006; Win, (2004), holds that Non-Governmental Organisations carry out their developmental activities with directives and strings attached from the donor countries.   The second theory is the “third sector model” which is believed to be people-centered, flexible, and uses participatory management style in development-oriented NGO programs (United Nations, 1995). The underlying strength of donor driven model is that developmental programs of NGOs are planned and implemented with financial support from multinational corporations and new technologies in victim’s rehabilitation/humanitarian programs may be introduced. Nonetheless, most of the humanitarian programs in this model are directed from the financiers and are implemented with conditionalities. These may not appropriately fit in solving the localized humanitarian problems. Since most of the humanitarian programs are pre-planned without involving the local beneficiaries, such programs end up becoming utopian and superficial, attracting no attention to responsiveness. This leads to un-sustainability of such humanitarian programs, hence persistence of humanitarian challenges. It was based on these facts and realities that the researcher used the “third Sector” model in this study.

The “third sector model” says that NGOs are important in making up for the institutional weaknesses of the state and market through promoting socio-economic development (independent and dependent variables). This is done through NGOs delivering humanitarian services to the needy, equitably and efficiently, and through participatory approach to development, that is, engaging beneficiaries in poverty reduction programs and working with local government. They are thus oriented toward bottom-up processes of development that emphasize local-level development, integrated interventions, mobilization of the poor and participation (causal mechanisms) (United Nations, 1995). However, certain conditions (intervening factors) such as: pre-planned agendas with strings attached, corruption, upward accountability and emphasis on paper-based rational management tools and concentration in urban areas often negate this promise which usually leads to inability of the NGOs to effectively carry out the humanitarian functions (Mawdsley et al, (2002); Wallace (2006); Win, (2004).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The study employed a case study design. In this case, Dili and Lassa Districts in Askiraluba Local Government area of Borno State and Migili in Honn Local Government area of Adamawa State and Uba in Uba Local Government area of Adamawa were selected for visitation.  About 35 kilometers apart, both areas were parts of the areas badly affected by the activities of the Boko Haram sect in the North-Easter Nigeria.  Many of the original dwellers fled due to the onslaught of the Islamic sects while some returned to their homes after some time due to some level of assistance given by governments and development agencies. The two districts in the two states were carefully chosen due to the similar experiences they had from the Boko Haram sect.

Nine (9) NGOs namely: The Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group; The Norwegian Refugee Council; T Y Danjuma Foundation; REACH International; ADRA International; Boko Haram Victims Relief (BHVR); Chris Oyakhilome Foundation; Aliko Dangote Foundation and Muslim Public affairs Centre were picked. This method enabled the researcher to have in-depth understanding of the real issues. The method was also very appropriate because of limited time and resources which would be used to investigate all the effects of the efforts of the NGOs selected in the study.  The researcher used mainly qualitative research pattern for the nature of the research and in its epistemological assumptions, values and methods that were integrated.

Collection of data in this study used cross- fertilization of methods. This was helpful to tap all the relevant information in the study. First, it was based on primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected using semi-structured oral interview guide, personal discussion and observation. Secondary data was collected through review and analysis of documents pertaining to NGOs and IDPs/Refugees rehabilitation. The selections of these research instruments were guided by the nature of data to be collected, the time available and the objectives of research.

Key informant oral interviews were used to bring the researcher and respondents face to face. This enabled the researcher to collect firsthand information over what they think, know or feel about the present conditions in their dwelling places and how and what development agencies have done or are doing in rehabilitating them in their villages.  The researcher used this instrument because it permitted flexibility in data collection. It also allowed the researcher to easily formulate questions and language expression during interviews so that it could suit the interviewees’ background and educational level. Semi-structured oral interviews were administered to traditional rulers, opinion leaders, youth leaders and women in the villages.

These were people believed to be reasonably informed about the issues at hand.  The interviews were guided by a list of questions, most of which were open ended questions. This gave the participants the opportunity to go in-depth on some issues that they were familiar with. In turn, these responses allowed the researcher to internalize the facts adequately.

The researcher also used personal discussion with diverse people of both sexes.  The discussion method was used to elicit information from those not included in the interview.  This was particularly helpful in corroborating what had been received as response to the interviews conducted on the other groups of people in the villages.

Observation in the study enabled the researcher to see for himself what people actually do rather than what they say. This allowed him to gain firsthand experience and explore topics that could still be discussed with other respondents.   Observation was employed to notice and gather images of development projects that development partners had set up in the two states.  Specifically, part of what was observed included; the houses and structures destroyed by the Boko Haram sect, the types of houses constructed by development partners. the calm and tarrying nature of the villages due to the devastation of the environments by the Boko Haram insurgents, the presence of the military and the local hunters (Joint Task Force), nature of clothes the rural poor put on, the type of food they eat,  the way people go about carrying local guns for self defence (which, when the researcher asked, was said to be lawful since it was not an AK-47 rifles).

So also, through observation, the researcher was able to study the activities in which the rural people engage, the general wellbeing of the villagers and the amenities which they lacked in the areas. Observation was accompanied by informal discussions with people in the area. Field photos were also taken for pictorial evidences with permission from the community leaders.

Secondary data was collected through review and analysis of documents pertaining to NGOs and Insurgency Victims rehabilitation efforts.  These included project reports, proposals, budgets, work plans, baseline surveys, and evaluations.  This helped the researcher to achieve high internal reliability, objectivity and validity of the study through triangulation. The research objectives and research questions guided the use of the above instruments.

The collected data was organized and categorized using appropriate computer programs.  Qualitative data from interviews and discussion guides was analyzed using two methods such as content analysis and narrative analysis. Content analysis was used in triangulation to check the authenticity of data collected. Narrative analysis was applied to provide verbatim information from the respondents. This helped the researcher to enrich the study with practical and authentic information. The synthesized information was then grouped into themes and sub-themes derived from the specific research objectives of the study.  The findings were arrived at and conclusions and recommendations were then drawn to satisfy the research questions.  All the field pictures taken were retrieved from the camera, other relevant pictures were imported from google and acknowledged.

The major ethical issues that the researcher faced included informed consent. Following the principle of informed consent, the researcher explained to the participants the whole issue about the study; the purpose of the study, the procedures to use during research, the risks and benefits of the research, and explained to the participants that their participation was voluntary. The researcher treated the participants with respect and not as subjects to ensure that they retain self-esteem. Confidentiality, anonymity and safety were also assured the participants. They were informed that the research was purely for academic purposes. To maintain anonymity, the security agents guarding the villages were not asked their names.  Some traditional rulers also willingly took group photograph with the researcher.

Some respondents were unable to respond adequately to some of the oral interview questions due to illiteracy.  Also, the use of Hausa language was initially a challenge but with the presence of a guide who assisted the researcher to interpret what the respondents were saying in Hausa language to English.   Lastly, time and cost constraints restricted the researcher from reaching more villages and local governments as well as the offices of some NGOs in the two states. However, quality and reliable data were collected.

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH FINDINGS

THE DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL/DANISH DEMINING GROUP

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is Denmark’s largest international non-governmental organisation.  The organization works with humanitarian, development and peacebuilding activities to ensure a dignified life for refugees, the displaced, and displacement-affected people and communities in more than 30 countries including Nigeria. Source: https://drc.ngo

THE NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL (NRC), NIGERIA

The Norwegian Refugee Council is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people who were forced to flee from their places of residence. The organization works in crises in 32 countries, where it helps save lives and rebuild futures. Source: https://www.nrc.no/countries/africa/nigeria/

TY DANJUMA FOUNDATION

TY Danjuma Foundation is an independent private Nigerian philanthropic organisation committed to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged Nigerians,  by supporting interventions implemented by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), faith-based organisations, youth organisations, women’s groups and similar groups working in Nigeria. TY Danjuma Foundation became fully operational in 2010 and has continued to make grants. In 2014 the Foundation’s philanthropic giving reached a significant milestone; the total amount in grants crossed the two billion Naira mark. TY Danjuma Foundation has supported 98 institutions in 19 Nigerian states to implement 153 projects.  Source: https://tydanjumafoundation.org

REACH INTERNATIONAL   REACH is a joint initiative of two international non-governmental organizations – ACTED and IMPACT Initiatives – and the UN Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH mission is to strengthen evidence-based decision making by aid actors through efficient data collection, management and analysis before, during and after an emergency. By doing so, REACH contributes to ensuring that communities affected by emergencies receive the support they need. All REACH activities are conducted in support to and within the framework of inter-agency aid coordination mechanisms.

Source: https://www.reach-initiative.org/where-we-work/nigeria/ 

ADRA INTERNATIONAL

ADRA International was created as a response to the persistent violence as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency which has rendered more than 2 million people homeless, many children fatherless and many women widowed over the years in the North-Eastern Nigeria.  Since August 2014, ADRA Nigeria has been supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Adamawa State. With the support of ADRA International and other ADRA supporting offices, ADRA Nigeria has been able to help around 3,000 households. In 2015 ADRA Nigeria implemented a livelihood support project. To further support the IDPs ADRA Nigeria, as part of its strategic plan for years to come, is scaling up its operations in the North East Nigeria.

Source: https://adra.org

BOKO HARAM VICTIMS RELIEF (BHVR)

BHVR was previously a Canadian non-profit corporation.  However, the organisation, owing to its inability to raise significant sums of money for victims of Boko Haram. despite their efforts, at their AGM in February 2016 the membership decided to dissolve the corporation but maintain their website and the informational functions of BHVR. It is the purpose of Boko Haram Victims Relief to begin to counter this situation by raising funds nationally and internationally and therewith to provide relief to victims, direct and indirect, of the Boko Haram, Ansaru and other insurgencies in Central Africa, including but not necessarily limited to those affecting Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.  Relief takes the form of cash grants or provision of goods and/or services to victimized individuals and groups and to on-the-ground not-for-profit organizations.  Source:  http://www.bokoharamvictimsrelief.org

ALIKO DANGOTE FOUNDATION

Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) is the private charitable foundation of Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Incorporated in 1994 as Dangote Foundation, with the mission to enhance opportunities for social change through strategic investments that improve health and wellbeing, promote quality education, and broaden economic empowerment opportunities.

Source: https://dangote.com/foundation/

MUSLIM PUBLIC AFFAIRS CENTRE (MPAC), NIGERIA,

Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, is a leading public service and leadership development organisation that operates on the core Islamic values of justice, mercy, human dignity, freedom, equality for all and sanctity of human life. MPAC is a project based and volunteer-driven organisation, covering Project, Outreach, Advocacy and Lobbying, with the mission to serve humanity and work for an inclusive society. Source: https://mpac-ng.org

THE CHRIS OYAKHILOME FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL (COFI)   

The Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI) is a faith-based non-governmental, non-political organization under the direction of its visionary and legendary founder, the Man of God, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome. Through the promotion and sponsorship of charitable initiatives, COFI was established to help individuals, communities and nations lead purposeful and productive lives in the service of the Lord. The mission of the Foundation reflects the divine teachings and inspirational messages of Pastor Chris and seeks to benefit the most vulnerable people and communities in some of the poorest countries and regions of the world.

Source: https://cofi.online

SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE SAMPLED NGOS

TABLE 1: TABLE SHOWING THE NORWEIGIAN REGUGEE COUNCIL’s CONTRIBUTION TO BOKO HARAM VICTIMS REHABILITATION

Source: Researcher’s Survey 2022

TABLE 2: TABLE SHOWING THE DANISH REFUGEE COUNCIL’S CONTRIBUTION TO BOKO HARAM VICTIMS REHABILITATION

Source: Researcher’s Survey 2022                                                                

TABLE 3: TABLE SHOWING THE REACH’S CONTRIBUTION TO BOKO HARAM VICTIMS REHABILITATION

Source: Researcher’s Survey 2022

TABLE 4. TABLE SHOWING THE CHRIS OYAKHILOME’S FOUNDATION’S CONTRIBUTION TO BOKO HARAM VICTIMS REHABILITATION

Source: Researcher’s Survey 2022

TABLE 5: TABLE SHOWING THE T.Y DANJUMA FOUNDATION’S CONTRIBUTION TO BOKO HARAM VICTIMS REHABILITATION

Source: Researcher’s Survey 2022

TABLE 6.  TABLE SHOWING THE AADRA INTERNATIONAL’S CONTRIBUTION TO BOKO HARAM VICTIMS REHABILITATION

Source: Researcher’s Survey 2022

TABLE 7: TABLE SHOWING THE ALIKO DANGOTE FOUNDATION’S CONTRIBUTION TO BOKO HARAM VICTIMS REHABILITATION

Source: Researcher’s Survey 2022

TABLE 8: TABLE SHOWING THE MUSLIM PUBLIC AFFAIRS CENTRE’S CONTRIBUTION TO BOKO HARAM VICTIMS REHABILITATION

Source: Researcher’s Survey 2022

FINDINGS

From the analysis above, it has been established that Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been playing significant role in the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in the North-Eastern Nigeria.  All the research questions, objectives and hypotheses were stated in line with the earlier-stated variables. The significance of the study is justified to the fact that it has bridged the gap in existing knowledge on the issue of NGOs role in rehabilitating the Boko Haram victims in the areas.

Literature on the concept of insurgency and rehabilitation of IDPs as well as issues surrounding NGOs were critically reviewed. Previous empirical studies carried out by other scholars in the field were also carefully examined. The research design was basically a survey research and data were generated from both primary and secondary sources with visits and interviews as the instruments for generating the primary data.

In doing so, the study tried to:

• Explain the concepts of insurgency with particular emphasis on the Boko Haram as well as NGOs and their typology
• Appraise the contribution of Non-Governmental Organisations to the rehabilitation efforts of the Boko Haram Insurgency victims in Nigeria
• Suggest areas of focus for the selected NGOs towards the development of the north-eastern Nigeria as a way of improving the lives of victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the states sampled.

Of immense use were the various information, report and findings of scholars, authors and donors who have shown concern with the deplorable condition of the dwellers in the states badly hit by the activities of the insurgents in recent times.  The populations of the study were nine (9) Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). The research observed that the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been playing a significant role in the economy especially as it relates to provision of assistance in rehabilitating lives and livelihoods in the Boko Haram-insurgency affected North-Eastern states of Nigeria.  It was also revealed that the level of success of the NGOs has been due to their effective management and high sense of commitment to the goal of their individual NGOs, hence their work has been found to be highly complementary to government efforts along this line.

The weaknesses/limitations of the NGOs were also highlighted to include inability to cover much areas of the states in the North Eastern Nigeria as well as improper coordination of the support to the dwellers.   It is suggested that NGOs could overcome these challenges by building a strong network with similar NGOs/CBO interested in their pursuit to be able to more effectively coordinate the assistance to the insurgency victims.

Challenges of NGOs in their efforts at maximally supporting the Victims of Boko Haram in the North Eastern Nigeria.

The researcher found out that much as some NGOs are desirous of assisting the victims of Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, the more, there are several impediments to achieving this. One of the problems of non-profits and charities dispensing relief is the identification of persons, groups and organizations capable of reliably receiving and managing assistance.  Because the location of headquarters of majority of the NGOs that assist the victims is often too far, sufficient knowledge of the areas in question is often lacking.

Most of the time, NGOs find it difficult to identify those individuals who can be trusted and relied upon to provide unbiased information that can assist in the provision of relief for the people.  Dishonesty of some individuals in local communities also affects the way assistance is being planned.  Wrong information especially those given to defraud the NGO will also prevent the realization of the goal of reaching out to as many would have been provided for.  In some cases, due to selfishness, some individuals in local communities only identify those of their families for support.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

There are two hypotheses for the study:

Hypothesis 1:

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) have not contributed to the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria.

Hypothesis 2:

Non-Governmental Organisations cannot contribute to the rehabilitation efforts in the North Eastern Nigeria.

From the information obtained on the nine (9) NGOs sampled and going by the specific contributions of the NGOs contained in Tables 1 to 8, it is crystal clear that the NGOs have committed a lot of financial resources towards alleviating the sufferings of the critical mass of the victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. The hypothesis that NGOs have not contributed to the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria is therefore rejected.

Hypothesis 2

The hypothesis that says NGOs cannot contribute to the rehabilitation efforts in the North Eastern Nigeria cannot hold in view of what they have already done as contained in this study with particular reference to tables 1 to 8.

We now hold that since NGOs have already significantly contributed to the rehabilitation efforts in the North Eastern Nigeria, they can still do more if given needed support, encouragement and conducive environment.

CONCLUSION

The main thrust of this study is to assess the contributions of Non-Governmental Organisations to the rehabilitation of the victims of Boko Haram Insurgency in the North Eastern part of Nigeria with particular reference to Borno and Adamawa States. It has been seen that the Boko Haram insurgency has claimed lots of lives, aggravated the food and nutrition challenges, further damaged the health and education sectors, and has caused general fear and anxiety; hence, an urgent solution is needed. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been found to play a complimentary role in assisting the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern Nigeria by providing humanitarian relief services which have made their lives better. These efforts are considered to be right steps in the right direction and should be continued with while the governments at all levels should also wake up to their responsibility of enhancing security of lives and property in the area as well as in the provision of critical amenities for the critical mass of the people in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

Contributions to Knowledge

The study clearly x-rays the plights of the internally displaced victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.  It also carefully examines the contributions of NGOs to the process of rehabilitating the victims as well as rebuilding the North Eastern Nigeria.  The study therefore provides opportunity for researchers and policy makers to see the precarious situation of the victims so as to know how to assist them either directly or through the NGOs who have been passionate about the plight of the people with a view to making life better in the region.

The NGOs highlighted will of course also be motivated to continue to carry on with their mandate of helping solve problems for humanity.  In addition, the study helps the researcher to expand knowledge on NGOs and insurgency related matters with focus on sources of succor to victims affected by crisis globally.

Moreover, while the research adds knowledge on the already existing body of knowledge on non-governmental interventions in rehabilitation of lives and livelihoods in crisis affected areas across the globe, it also offers useful recommendations to NGOs in reaching out to the target audience more effectively.

Recommendations

In order for the NGOs working to rehabilitate the victims of Boko Haram insurgency to be more effective and their actions more impactful, it is hereby recommended as follows, that:

• since NGOs offices are not usually located within the geographical zones of the troubled spots, there should be an on-the-spot assessment by staffers of the NGOs prior to time of dolling out assistance to the victims. The visitation panel should have carried out research within the BH-afflicted area and carefully assess and evaluate the varied types of situations and determine the level of resources to deploy and for the specific number of beneficiaries.
• numerous professional colleagues and others familiar with the area(s) to be supported can be contacted in advance by the developing partner to provide some basic information that can assist the organisation in their efforts towards serving the community. Such information will help to determine the individuals, groups, communities, clubs or even other non-profit organizations to whom it is possible to send relief and who can be trusted to put it to good use.
• there is also a need for the NGOs working in the North Eastern States to build a strong network for a more effective assistance provision and coordination.
• governments, corporate organisations and public-spirited individual citizens of the country could also be encouraged to support the work of the NGOs towards making life better for the people in the area.
• all projects being executed and those yet to be, must be properly managed for economic and social sustainability so as to maximally derive long term benefits therefrom.

SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER STUDIES

Having carefully studied the contributions of NGOs to the rehabilitation of lives and livelihoods in the Boko Haram Insurgency affected North-Eastern Nigeria, it is hereby suggested that further studies be undertaken to see how best the victims can be meaningfully engaged to contribute to the restoration of peace and promotion of sustainable development in the region.  This, if carried out, will go a long way in ensuring the restoration of the lost glory of the region and seeing to overall growth of the nation. 

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