Many Nigerians have asked if there were parties from the southern and northern Protectorate that partook in the declaration of Nigeria, or did the British on their own sign the document in the absence of the people involved?
Southern and Northern Protectorate were joined to form Nigeria in 1914. By then the nationalist we know of now were still little to know what happened. Nnamdi Azikiwe was only 10 years old, Ahmadu Bello was 4 years, Awolowo was 5 years then. Which Nigerian signed the Amalgamation document?
There were only 28 individuals involved in the forceful Amalgamation of the South and the North Protectorate. Out of the 28, only 6 were Nigerians. The rest were all British citizens. Lord lugard the first governor general led the Amalgamation (he was one the one to propose it first) and the final signature was his.
Sir Kitoyi Ajasa
The six Nigerians are;
1. HRH Maiturare Sarkin Mussulumi and Sultan of Sokoto
2. Usuman Dan Maje who later became Emir of Kano
3. Sir Kitoyi Ajasa a lawyer
4. HRH Oladugbolu Alaafin of Oyo
5. HRH R Henshaw (Obong of Calabar)
6. Abubakar Shehu of Borno
These are the Nigerians present at the amalgamation. They were there ceremoniously. From the names above, you would notice that no Igbo man was present in the amalgamation of Nigeria despite the Igbos having powerful Kings like the Obi Okosi of Onitsha, Eze Nri òbalÃke etc The reason is not far-fetched. The Igbos fought strongly against the British rule and they were never in support of their systems. Lagos colony was also against the amalgamation as at then.
The British were more comfortable to deal with Fulani/Northerners. The reason there were more fulani/northerners during the amalgamation. So, the saying that Northerners wants to always rule Nigeria did not just start. It was positioned so by the British. Even the location of the amalgamation was also located in the North.
Nigeria was not formed by consensus but by Force.
BINNABOOK PUBLISHERS
What were the contents of the original documents they signed and were made to sign?
ReplyDeleteAt that time the ibos are wandering naked with no culture or established institution.
ReplyDeleteThe Ibo where seen as the Eastern men and under the obong of Calabar jurisdiction
DeleteThis is ignorance. The British fought to dislodge the Arochukwu kingdom in 1901 to 1902. That was a year old war to dislodge an Igbo established institution with a powerful traditional ruler, the Eze Aro of Arochukwu
DeleteThis unknown guy saying the igbos were wandering naked as at the time.... E be like say,bomb dey your head. You must be an almajiri. Obviously the men listed there were ceremoniously dressed they do not even know what was in the content. Oyibo man una do well oo. Make una come carry the Nigeria wey una form now wey garri don be like green passport.
DeleteLet me educate you. but firstly, The Igbos fought strongly against the British rule before amalgamation??
ReplyDeleteLet me educate you. but firstly, Igbos fought strongly against the British rule amalgamation?? HOW??
ReplyDeleteBenin Empire was not represented at the meeting where the document was signed despite the fact that Benin Empire was one of the most powerful empires in this part of the world at that time.
ReplyDelete