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Civilisation is the basis of human evolution from the era of stone age to this present generation, which is considered as a process of humans social and cultural development, advancements in a specific or general sector of the society. An act of humans adaptation to our new found reality, it more culturally inclined, since it influences the behavioural pattern and attitudes of humans in the social sphere.
In a more contradictive perspective, it can also be considered as a form of dissonance in humans cognitive understanding about our existence, roles, duties and responsibilities in the society. in the sense that, civilisation is a gradual process of innovation and learning, accepting new ideas which are put in place to replace the old ways of doing things. Natural evolvement due to our new state of enlightenment, aiding our abilities to make informed choices to create a more suitable environment.
Civilisation is a complex concept, due to different opinionated perspective and it effects on humans existence. Our inability to pin point the starting point of civilisation in history makes it complicated because it is a continuous process throughout history, not a constant phase or level. the concept of civilisation differs based on the ideological understanding due to culture and beliefs in the society.
It is a stage during the process of development, the ability of populace of a geographical entity or government to maintain the stability of infrastructure, economical and financial growth of a particular country or nation for the advantage and benefits of the coming generation. in a simpler sense, for a country or nation to claim to be developing or engage in development, such country or nation has to maintain a standard growth procedure that doesn't jeopardise the safety of the next generation. there has to be some kind of foundation, future generations can build upon without being forced to start from the scratch.
In 2017/18, During the process of acquiring my National diploma, In partial fulfillment of the requirements for national diploma in mass communication. I did a research project on "The influence of media campaign in the eradication of female genital mutilation (FGM) in selected communities in Remo north. A study of ode Remo Ogun State.
Female genital mutilation is a cultural practice of partial cutting and mutating of the female genitalia, the practice is also known as female circumcision. A traditional practice aimed at reducing young females reaction to stimuli or sex drive by altering the sensitive parts of the female reproductive organs.
Media being and innovation introduced by civilisation, is considered to have the capacity and capabilities to enlighten the practitioners of this traditional practice about the dangers of this practice to the lives of young female children, which includes infectious diseases and causing females to lack sexual satisfaction due to inability to respond to stimuli.
As a researcher, based on the data gathered I realised the mass media has significantly reduced the rate at which female genital mutilation is practiced in ODE Remo Ogun State, due to continuously disseminating information about the health implications and lawful punishment for those found guilty of the act.
These days it has now become a forgotten practice in most part of Nigeria due the innovations brought by civilisation, which has grown to be a form of sustainable development because coming generations now know of the dangers of this practice and no longer feel the need to engage in it. Based on this I realised the positive impact of civilisation on societal sustainable development, until I carried out another research.
In 2021/2022, During the process of acquiring my higher national diploma, In partial fulfillment of the requirements for Higher national diploma in mass communication. I conducted another research on **"The role of media in promoting agricultural development in rural areas, A study of Agejo community, Abeokuta south, Ogun State.
Agriculture is a cultural practice among the indigenous people of Yoruba, which has been in practice for generations and a source of income & livelihood of most rural populace in Ogun State. the research was carried out to know how the mass media (which is a product and a promoter of civilisation) can promote and improve agricultural practice.
Based on the fact gathered, as a result of the ability of mass media channels such as Radio, In disseminating information to heterogeneous audience, farmers included. the mass media as educated and enlightened the farmers about lastest tools and equipment used for farming which has increased their productivity.
But there were still some knot left untied, despite the significant role the mass media has played in the life of rural farmers, it is has also publicise the awareness of civilisation to this rural farmers, which in return has negatively influenced their perception of farming, most of youth in this era now consider the act of farming as an ancient practice that doesn't conform with the trend of the modern age. immediately after they inherit large portion of lands used by their forefathers for farming, they immediately sell this lands to estate developers and business tycoons to use those farm lands to build industrial houses and companies reducing the availablity of lands needed to engage in farming.
- 1) HUMAN ENLIGHTENMENT: As a result of civilisation, it has broaden the mind of humans understanding of our surroundings based on available knowledge and resources that can be used to educate human minds and enhance our psychological and physiological productivity in the social sphere. knowledge brought by civilisation as enabled us to evolve beyond our natural state, making us aware of absurd cultural and traditional practices capable of endangering human lives. Example, killing of twins, human sacrifices and female genital mutilation e.t.c
- 2) SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT: Based on the continuous knowledge and experience brought by civilisation, it has been utilised to develop our society, enabling infrastructural, economical, financial, technological and political developments. contributing immensely to the standard of living of humans.
- 1) INVASION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE & BELIEFS: In the process of civilisation, most cultural beliefs as been lost. though some cultural beliefs are negative but there are some ones that promote morals and ethics in the society. due to this the rate of immoral act has increased and become a controversial issue in the society. for example In Yoruba land in the olding days, a woman's dignity is priceless, as a result of this the value of a woman was not questionable unlike what we have these days. cultural heritage such as language, traditions e.g farming, has been abandoned in the process of civilisation.
- 2) OBSTRUCTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: Emphasizing more on farming, despite knowledge and tools introduced into the practice of farming by civilisation. youths of these era no longer feel the need to engage in farming, reducing the man power and resources needed for this practice. which has resulted to scarcity of farm products and among the reasons for GDP decline. As a result of this coming generations are not aware of the importance and Significance of agriculture because it is no longer a culture pass down from generation to generation
IN CONCLUSION
Despite the fact that I'm glad and grateful that Civilisation has brought about innovative ideas and development which the mass media and other key players in the society are a product of, which has improved the standard of living of humans in the society. it has also affected humans negatively due to development that has caused the neglect some basic human necessities.
Note!!!
The mass media was mentioned in this article not due to the research stated in the article but as a result its role and duties in promoting civilisation throughout the cause of history and humans evolution
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled "Pro and Con of civilisation" in hive learners community.
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