SOCIAL ORDER

Social order must be a matter for empirical investigation. It is obvious that each of the above stated old philosophical views has its own grain of truth inherent in it, for each comes near to describing what is observed in some societies, or part of societies, of different styles, at different periods of history, in particular situations or circumstances. But to consider each as a “theory” of social order of universal validity, is to put it mildly unrealistic or absurd. To escape from this unrealistic approach which pervades some sociological discussion of social order it is pertinent to remember that social harmony is very often not achieved, and that social order and disorder are very much relative term, it observe that the actual state of relative order to disorder in a particular society or part of society is the outcome of complex forces of dependence and interdependence, of cooperation and conflict, of strength and weakness, of alliance and cleavage between people and groups. This paper therefore, examines the emergence of social order within the context of challenges and prospects in Nigeria in general and North West Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State in particular. The study adopted qualitative research and documentary method of data collection. It revealed that, social challenges that plague the state and mitigate development, here are top lists as poverty, corruption, inequality, high child mortality rate, poor standard of education, cultism, theft, and arm robbery attacks. It recommended among others, that the government and individuals should be preoccupied with creating jobs for the teeming population of jobs seekers; the legal system should be made to punish corruption and domestic violence accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others.