African Journal of Political Science

African Journal of Political Science ISSN 3461-2165 Vol. 7 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Rural-urban migration of young persons from selected conflict ridden communities in Rivers State: A sociological approach

Eze Wosu* and A. Kinikanwo Anele

Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Accepted 12 October, 2012

Abstract

Migration could be voluntary or involuntary. The paper examines the involuntary movement of young persons or child labour (youth) from conflict communities of Ogbogoro, Ogbakiri, Rumuekpe and Rumuolumeni, in Rivers State. The techniques deplored are the interview method and focus group discussion (FGD) methods in collecting data. The theoretical framework is hinged on the Marxist political economy theory. Its focus is on the sustenance of young persons and children (child) livelihood in the urban centre or cities. Our argument is that the influx of young persons (youth) from these communities to the urban centre as livelihood or survival mechanism constitutes the myriads of nefarious activities in the urban centre, in the absence of state or government control. Conversely, it is posited that the increase in communal conflict in these rural communities generates a tremendous population upsurge to the urban city. This will give rise to all kinds of survival or livelihood strategies.

Key words: Rural-urban, migration, conflict, young persons.