What are the positive and negative consequences of the Nigerian civil war (1967 - 1970)?

Explanation

(a)The positive consequences of the Nigerian Civil War (1967 - 1970) include:

(i)Consolidation: The war consolidated the territorial integrity and unity of the country.

(ii)Secession: The possibility of a part or any ethnic group or even a state seceding is reduced.

(iii) The Federal government became very powerful after the war, making the states subordinated to it virtually in everything.

(iv)Creation of more states:States were created in the country by the federal government, e.g. 12 states were created.

(v)The war strengthened the confidence the government had in the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) , even when four countries in Africa supported the secessionist government of Biafra during the war.

(vi)Technology: In the area of technology, Nigerians can now look inward after the civil war.

(b) The negative consequences of the Nigerian Civil War (1967 - 1970) include:

(i) Waste of financial, human and material resources were recorded: For example, a lot of money was spent in prosecuting the war, a great number of lives were lost and property unestimated went into the war.

(ii)Hardship: Innocent citizens and many homes were displaced coupled with severe hardship.

(iii)Dislocation of the educational system: A good number of tertiary institutions were either dislocated or destroyed and some others closed down. In fact, the academic system was paralysed.

(iv)Truncated economic activities: Economic activities were truncated. Industries were no more producing because of the war. The economy of the country was at a stand-still.

(v) War propaganda:The war propaganda led to the battering of the country's image. Some foreign countries saw the war as between the Christians and Muslims.

(vi)Demobilisation of discharged soldiers:This was not fully done, bringing about increase in criminal activities in the country.

(vii) Reduction in the number of the soldiers: Many of the soldiers