The pictures here and the stories accompanying them are gold. Please don't stop.

The Luxurios VW Audi 100C, Product of Volkwagen Nigeria at N6125.00 (1978). Source: New Nigeria

The Sketch : A journal of art and actuality
*Egboo --> Egba
August 1911

Mrs Cecelia Ugowe

Deputy Superintendent of police (1968). Source: Daily Times. Her husband Mr Emmanuel Ugowe was also in the police force as Chief Superintendent in 1968.
She later became First woman Chief Superintendent of Police in Nigeria and the first Female Highest Ranking Officer in the Nigerian Police as Deputy Inspector General of Police.

Ref:
1. West Africa Publishing Company Limited, 1970
2.https://sites.google.com/site/firstnigerian/home/first-female.
3.Daily Times 1968.

Mr and Mrs Henry Fullick and their African Foster Family (1968). Source: Daily Times.

The Henry's family lost their kid in 1950 and decided to foster African children. There was initial resistance by local authorities claiming their age is against them but opportunity arose for them to foster a baby privately and after 12 years of fostering, 30 African kids have passed though them by 1968.

There was young Olutine Yeside Adiola Ademi called Tonye by the Fullicks, a 3 month old Olo share their home and 2 other African Children.

Mr Felix Bankole Cardoso (1925 - 2006)

Educated at Holy Cross primary school followed by Methodist Boys high school. He quickly distinguished himself and his devotion to duty won him one of the first training awards for Nigerians to undertake the Crown Agents course in London.

This was followed by a scholarship to study accountancy and in short time was able to dismiss with pleasurable ease the final exams of the dreaded institute of corporate and certified Accountants (Uk).

He returned to Nigeria as one of the earliest professionally qualified accountants and went to work in the ministry of finance where he spent the period up to independence working his way up the civil service structure. When the decision was finally made to select appropriate staff to take over the running of the ministry from expatriates, His exemplary record came to bear when he was finally appointed the first Nigerian Accountant-General of the federation of Nigeria in 1963.
He retired from the civil service at the age of 47 and joined Barclays Bank in 1972 as the assistant to the general manager, as always he quickly rose to the enviable position of the first African vice chairman and managing director of Barclays Bank of Nigeria, under his leadership the bank became Union Bank.


In 1980 the federal government decided that he should employ his expertise in another of its nationalised banks but as he had reached the peak of his career in two different professions, declined the move and instead chose to retire a second time.
He was also a member of the stock exchange since 1975, he became a member of council of the exchange in 1983.


He was a quiet and private Man who did a lot of philanthropic work and was very generous to the older members of his family. I know this because he was my grand uncle and I spent the a lot of time with him whenever he came to London.

"Each man has to find out why he was created, has to find out how do I achieve my purpose. At the end of that creation, how do I make a positive impact on my age, on my nation, on my family. If you do that, you are leaving a footprint for those coming behind to follow"
Justice Chukwudifu Oputa (1917-2014)

Source: Picture from his funeral magazine

Sir,

Concerning Wole Soyinka: Civil Detainee.

I am directed to refer to your letter dated 24th January, 1968, and to inform you with regret that correspondence with the above-named detainee is not allowed

I am therefore returning herewith your letter and the Penguin Book ''Four Greek Poets''.

Your faithfully,

(E.A. Ajoni)

for DIRECTOR OF PRISONS.

----

Source & Picture credit: Wole Soyinka: The Man Died (1972)

SEP 1962 – Diary Of Western Nigeria’s Political Crisis – As parliamentarians in the Western House of Assembly riot, some MPs seek any means of exit. This record of the crisis in Western Nigeria serves as a reminder that we must never again allow political difference to get so disastrously out of hand. ( Photograph by Matthew Faji ©BAHA)

The Police handling some rioters (1962) during the Western Nigeria's Political Crisis. Source: Matthew Faji

Related links;

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151335356942821&set=gm.557927844248002&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150542827577821&set=o.152978661409591&type=3&theater

Fred Parker once resident at Nova, New Langa and Mr A nite club in Benin celebrates 3rd Anniversary as disk jockey (1979). Source: Nigerian Herald

Nigeria Free - Harry Williams (1963)

Some pioneers of the Nigerian Law School (1963), Silva Ajuyah, Julius Anyanwu, Sunday Chinke, Israel Idamiebi, Onyeabo Obi, Nathaniel Onugba, Idowu Sonaike and Nnanna Wachukwu. Source: Daily Times.

Gen Olusegun Obasanjo salutes newly sworn in President Shehu Shagari, the first democratically elected president of Nigeria (1979). Source: New Nigeria.

Justice M L Uwais, A judge of the Supreme Court (1979). Source: New Nigeria

Mohammed Lawal Uwais was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 1995 until 2006. Later he chaired a commission that published a report on electoral reform. Uwais is the son of the Chief Alkali, and later Waziri of Zaria emirate.

"Honourable Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, GCON is a Consultant to the Wali-Uwais Firm.Having served on the Supreme Court bench for a record period of 27 years, Hon Justice Uwais was Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) from 1995 to 2006, a period of eleven (11) years.
Upon retirement, he was invited by the President to Chair the Electoral Reform Commission, at the conclusion of which the Committee produced an immensely popular ERC Report. He has since been invited by the current Chief Justice of Nigeria to Chair the Judicial Reform Committee as well as by the Governor’s Forum to Chair the State Governments’ Peer Review Committee.

Hon Justice Uwais has been granted numerous meritorious Appointments, Fellowships and Awards, including the Fellow of the United Nations Human Rights (awarded in 1971), and the National Honor of the “Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger” (GCON) in the year 2000.

He also holds the Honorary Doctor of Laws and Letters (Honoris Causa, LLD) Awards from 5 national and international tertiary institutions, and the Highest Order of Justice of the World Jurist Association amongst others". ~ http://www.wali-uwais.com/

The Ilorin Expedition

In the previous year Sir George Goldie had visited Bajibo, Leaba, and Bussa, and on his return to Jebba was anxious to journey to Ilorin, with a view to deliver a letter from Her Majesty to the Emir Suliman, and to settle the frontier disputes between Ilorin and Lagos. He, however, received a letter from the Emir entreating him not to come, as he had only lately been put on the throne, and was not sure of the attitude of his generals or, " baloguns." Her Majesty's letter was then forwarded to the Emir by a native Political Agent, but was returned at the instance of the baloguns.

Since that time the attacks on the outposts on the Lagos frontier had continued, and Sir George Goldie decided to march at once to Ilorin. It was still hoped that a peaceful settlement might be attained, and with this object only a small force was taken.
...
Ilorin is a great Mohammedan centre, as Bida also is, and pays tribute to the Sultan of Sokoto, but on all sides it is surrounded by pagan States, with which it has been continually at war. To the north lies the Bussa country on the west of the Niger, and to the north-west Borgu, visited by Captain Lugard in 1894, a country inhabited by a savage tribe renowned for their skilled bowmen, who have frightened off their enemies hitherto with their deadly poisoned arrows, and have always resisted the Fulah invasion from the north.

After the war with the Jebus, the colony of Lagos extended to the Ibadan country, and the frontier posts were gradually pushed forward, until they came into contact with the Ilorins, who have always been at war with the Ibadan people. Since then the Ilorins had resented any interference, and foolishly closed their doors against any communication with the south, and had by their attacks on the frontier outposts brought on themselves a speedy retribution.

The Emir Suliman, who had been recently appointed, was a Fulah, and a very weak man, and although at heart a friend to the English, was completely in the hands of his '' baloguns," or generals, namely, Alanamu, Salu, Ajikabi, and Zuheru, who commanded respectively the four divisions of his army.

With the army at their backs, these generals were able to settle aflairs of State as they pleased, and the Emir, afraid of meeting the same fate as his predecessor, was obliged to conform to their views.

* photo from National Archives UK

Campaigning on the Upper Nile and Niger by Vandeleur, Cecil Foster Seymour

Published 1898

Land Laws - Northern Nigeria

The land question in N. Nigeria is regulated on fairly uniform lines, the general aim being to keep the land for the use of the natives and prevent any form of speculation and oppression.

In this respect N. Nigeria is in advance of any other European Colony on the West Coast. [?]

In my opinion, no greater contrast to the ancient laisser faire policy could be found than in this autocratic proclamation concerning such important questions of private rights.

The general principles of the Land and Natives Proclamation are as follows:—

1. The whole of the land of N. Nigeria, whether in ownership or not at the date of proclamation coming in force, is declared Native Land. The rights of third parties, if acquired previously, to remain valid.

2. The whole of the land is placed under the control of the Governor, who shall administer the same in the interests of the natives. No rights of occupancy or of utilisation may be acquired without the consent of the Governor.

3. In exercising such authority the Governor shall proceed according to the prevailing tribal law. This rule is to some degree modified by the regulations of land ownership. (Cf. Proclamation, No. 1/12.)

4. Individual ownership of land no longer exists. There is solely the right of occupancy.

5. The Governor is authorised to grant to natives or non-natives such rights of occupancy for a definite or indefinite period, the tenant to pay an annual rent the amount of which shall be examined and possibly augmented every seven years.

The conveyance or mortgage of such rights require the sanction of the Governor, who may also deprive any person of such rights in the case of certain offences, e.g., irregularity in payment of rent, or where the land is needed for public purposes.

Law and Policy Relating to the Natives of the Gold Coast and Nigeria by W. Asmis

Journal of the African Society

January 1913

Muslim festival at Anohia village 1959

Married muslim women dancing outside the Alhaji's home, Anohia Village, Afikpo Village-Group

© Dr. Simon Ottenberg, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African Art, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives

Line through Nigeria

Laborers Who Will Be Employed Are Cannibals, and White Men Will Be in Constant Danger of Their Lives.

The new line into Nigeria will be 530 miles in length and will take four or five years-to build. It will cost about fifteen million dollars.

It is being built by the colonial government of which the head Is Sir Frederick Lugard. The country which is to be opened up is rich in palm oil and coal, which the British expect to yield a handsome revenue on the money invested in the road. Fifty thousand natives have, been hired for the work of building the road. They will work under the direction of British engineers and foremen.

Doubtless some Americans will be associated with the enterprise.

Line through Nigeria contd.

These natives of Nigeria are noted for their obstinate cannibalism. Although the practice has been suppressed wherever possible by the British officials, the Nigerians in the depths of this wild country frequently find an opportunity to indulge in their peculiar taste. They attack an isolated village, destroy the houses and feast upon the inhabitants.

Sometimes they take their victims to a lonely part of the forest, keep them in a corral and fatten them up for a great banquet. Several times the white men have accidentally stumbled upon the hiding place of these destined victims of the cannibals. The white engineers and workmen will have to guard themselves carefully, for the cannibals believe that white flesh is the greatest kind of meat.

By eating it they imagine that they will acquire the cleverness and other qualities of the deceased person. Very few natives are daring enough now to attack white men, but there is no knowing what they might do in a moment of excitement. Half a dozen white men in a jungle 500 miles from help may be in a delicate situation.

Line through Nigeria (end.)

Danger from lions and other wild animals will be very great. During the building of the Uganda railway hundreds of laborers were carried off by Hons, and in recent months the beasts have walked into railroad'cars and snatched off defenseless'travelers.

In Nigeria lions are even more numerous than in Uganda. Their numbers depend largely on the amount of food they can find. Elands, antelopes and other game of various sizes are so abundant in Nigeria that the lions find inexhaustible food. Sometimes as many as 60 or 60 lions lurk in a patch of jungle a few acres in extent, near a drinking place where the food animals gather.

The new railroad will run along the river banks and will cross the favorite hunting places of the lions.

There will be a tremendous disturbance among the animals.

The Manchester Democrat

March 24, 1915

Brass

But our explorer has vowed to follow the great Niger to its outflow, and we are still some 280 miles from the sea.

So Lander passes on in his boats, and nearing Asaba —now the seat of English government on the river— he notes that the native houses are now all of rectangular shape, and the people of Eboe type, and soon he is at Abo, and the tidal waters are recognised just as the ruffians of the Brass slaving fleet rush upon him and —capsizing his craft— Lander barely escapes with his life, to find his brother drowning also.

Rescued at last, John Lander is brought prisoner, together with Richard, to the Brass mouth of the Niger, and their sufferings whilst waiting release and subsequently until landed at Fernando Po may well have made them dread the name of Brassmen.

Brass contd.


By the kindness of Mr. John Holt, of Liverpool, I am able to show you the photograph of the grave of Richard Lander in Fernando Po, and it may be that some day, at Brass or Akassa, English hands will raise a fitting and permanent memorial to this [modest, uncultured, and sterling] character, who solved for us and for all mankind the greatest geographical problem of his time, and opened the door for European commerce [and civilisation] into West Central Africa.

It must not be forgotten that MacQueen had all along contended that the Niger would be found to issue into the Atlantic through the swamps of the Bights of Benin and Biafra, nor are the reasons now obscure that account for that long hiding of geographical truth in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Niger River and Territories by Mr. J. Hampden Jackson, Liverpool.

An address to the Manchester Geographical Society, in the Library, Wednesday, December 16th, 1896.

The Journal of the Manchester Geographical Society

Ju-Ju and Justice in Nigeria

This book gives an interesting account of the experiences of Mr. Frank Hives, a District Commissioner on the upper reaches of the Cross River in Nigeria, in the days when that country was touched by the [civilising] influences of Trade and Government.

Mr. Hives, with a mere handful of native police, had a vast district to govern, where [savage] customs, and especially ju-ju, or the fetish of the priests, kept the natives in the most abject slavery and terror.

He had many narrow escapes, on one occasion being shown the pot in which he was to be cooked, and on another being saved by a terrific thunderstorm from a very unsavoury death.
...
There is a chapter on the dispensation of justice in the [primitive] Courts which is human and amusing, while the description of the Aro people is of historical interest, especially to students of the occult.

* see also a fairly irreverent review at http://malcolmsquirks..it/2014/04/solomon-wouldnt-have-cut-it-in-nigeria.html

Meccano Magazine

March 1930

Tour of Inspection by the Rev. James Johnson - Ibadan

There are several private slave-markets supplying the town itself, Abeokuta, Ijebu, Porto Novo, and other places; they are visited by Christians, Mohammedans, and heathens alike, and, I say it with intense regret, by Christian emigrant children of liberated Africans.

Their plea and excuse is the difficulty to get hired labour. But who of them would like to exchange places with the slave ?

I called at one of these markets owned by a Mohammedan commission agent. It was late in the afternoon, and there was only a small quota of a large gang out. He chuckled as he saw me, was in excellent spirits, and in high expectation of driving a good bargain.

He mistook me for one of his English-speaking customers from Abeokuta, and greeted me warmly, referred to a previous purchase, and highly recommended his fresh stock, particularly the boys.

* photo from Affairs of West Africa by Morel, E. D. (1902 )

The Interior Yoruba Mission

The Church Missionary Intelligencer

Published 1878

The Alake of Abeokuta and Egba Government Officials 1904

The Church Missionary Intelligencer

Zaria:
Demonstrations following the first military coup in 1966
Source:

Major Adewale Ademoyega (1934-2007) sitting in his convertible sports car in the early 1960s. Ademoyega was one of the five rebellious majors who led the 1966 coup that ended the first Nigerian civilian government. He was born in Ode Remo in present-day Ogun State in southwestern Nigeria in 1934. He died at the age of 72 on February 21, 2007. Adewale earned a degree in history from the University of London. He was one of the first graduates that enrolled as an officer in the Nigerian Army.

Source: Max Siollun Wordpress

Abba Kyari
(1938 - )

Brigadier (rtd) Abba Kyari was the first Governor of North-Central State, Nigeria. He attended Borno Middle School and Barewa College, Zaria and in 1959 enlisted in the Nigerian Army.

During the outbreak of ethnic violence in Northern and Central Nigeria in 1966, he assisted soldiers in escaping from Kaduna, including Major Samuel Ogbemudia, who was later appointed Governor of Mid-West State in September 1967.

After retirement, he was appointed to the board of directors of First Bank of Nigeria, Standard Alliance Insurance and Merchant Bank of Commerce. He later became Chairman of Gamah Flour Mills and of Alif Engineering and Construction.

The Return of the Flag of Sultan Attahiru Ahamadu to Sokoto

IN 1903 Sir Frederick Luguard launched a military expedition against Kano and Sokoto.

Sultan Attahiru Ahamadu, the great-grandson of Shedu Dan Fodio who founded the Fulani Empire, collected a large army and opposed the British Forces outside the gates of Sokoto.

He was defeated, but with a few faithful followers he made his way eastwards to Burmi in Bornu. Here he was attacked by another British Force and after a fierce and gallant resistance was killed.

Sultan Attahiru's Standard was found lying near his body.

Later it came into the hands of the 1st Battalion the Queen's Own Nigeria Regiment, who have for nearly 60 years held it in safe custody and treated it with the respect it deserved both as the Standard of a valiant and worthy foe and, as it was thought, of the great Shehu Dan Fodio himself.

Indeed, it was always known as 'Dan Fodio'sFlag', though latterly there has been some doubt cast on this.

However, it is significant that the present Sultan of Sokoto referred to it as such when it was returned to him.

* Local leaders visit the Nigeria Regiment Training Centre at Zaria, Northern Nigeria. Left to right: Shehu Bukari (Member of the Northern House of Assembly), Lieutenant Colonel A H Wenham (Officer Commanding Nigeria Regiment Training Centre, Zaria), the Shehu of Bornu and the Waziri of Bornu. - from Imperial War Musems under IWM Non Commercial Licence

The History of the Royal West African Frontier Force

Published 1964