ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS SHOW THAT AMALGAMATION OF NIGERIA WAS NOT DONE IN IKOT ABASI, LAGOS OR LOKOJA BUT IN LONDON IN 1913.( PART 1)
Contrary to popular stories that the amalgamation of the Nigerian state was done on the 1st of January 1914 in Nigeria. The most popular story says that it was done in Lagos and only 28 Nigerians were present at the ceremony.
The popular theory says “RE – WHO SIGNED AMALGAMATION DOCUMENTS IN 1914 AND WHERE?" There were only 28 persons involved in the so-called “amalgamation” of January, 1914. While 6 persons were Nigerians, the rest were British including Frederick Lord Lugard himself, Lewis Harcourt (the secretary of state for the Colonies whose name Port-Harcourt city took after leaving the original “Igweocha / Obumutu” and other European officers in charge of the 2 protectorates.
The following were the only “Nigerians” officially involved in the amalgamation signage:
1) A lawyer, Sir Kitoyi Ajasa (representing the African communities in Lagos as a legislative council member of the colony since 1902). Lagos was mainly for the British. Then the rest were summed up as “African Community” which included the returnee slaves of Sierra-Leone, Nigerians themselves, Ghanaians etc 2) His Highness Oladugbolu (Alafin of Oyo) 3) Hon. R. Henshaw (Obong of Calabar) 4) Hon. Maiturare (Sarkin Mussulumi and Sultan of Sokoto) 5) Hon. Abubakar (Shehu of Borno) 6) Hon. Usuman (Emir of Kano).
Note; from the above there was no Igbo traditional ruler involved. Not even the Eze Chima of Onicha those days. This document could only had been signed in either of these 2 places, Zungeru or Ikot Abasi. (Details and claims are not authoritative). This Claim turned out to be False.
After Providing Evidence on the History of Obudu Mountain Resort Atqnews.com reached out once again to UK based Nigerian Historian and Archivist Edward Keazor to Authenticate the Story. He Debunked it as a useless Trope. “Not even near accurate Original Documents show that amalgamation of Nigeria was Not Done in Ikot Abasi,Lagos or Lokoja but in London in 1913.”
The Obong of Calabar in 1914 is not named Henshaw but Obong Edem Efiom Efiong Edem Efefiong Duke X who ruled from 1908 to 1950. “There is no evidence of the Obong of Calabars attendance at the Lagos ceremony. There was no amalgamation document.
There was a series of Letter Patent between 1912-1913 that formed the 1914 Constitution.There is the fallacy of the amalgamation being some sort of treaty, it wasn’t, it was a set of unilateral Executive Instruments giving rise to a Legislative document, the 1914 Nigerian Constitution."
There was a Ceremony in Lagos on the 1st of January 2014 to Present the Nigerian Constitution. About 200 People were Present at the Lagos Event which Took place at the Supreme court Building which is now the location of the Tinubu Fountain in Lagos Island.Some Notable Nigerians were Present at the Event in Lagos.
According to Keazor Some of them were, “Henry Carr, Kitoyi Ajasa, Alexander Sapara Williams, Oba Eshugbayi Eleko of Lagos The Oba of Lagos was another C James George former Lagos Colony Legislative council member. Kitoyi Ajasa was the first Nigerian knight. A close friend of Lugard’s and classmate of Edwin Speed the CJ who was sworn in on Jan 1.
Lugard even encouraged him to establish a newspaper to rival the indigenous independent press. Sir Kitoyi Ajasa was a member of the Nigerian Council nominated by Lugard. He was a guest at the ceremony because he was a friend of Lugard, in fact he was the classmate of Arny Speed Chief Justice. There were several other guests there including foreign consul etc That doesn’t mean they signed or sealed the amalgamation document.”
A similar Event happened in Zungeru on the 3rd of January. According to Keazor “The Emir of Zungeru was at the ceremony of Jan 3rd how come he is not listed as a signatory if that is any form of evidence?
In any event none of the Northern Emirs were in Lagos so the event itself could not have been a formal signing ceremony. There is no image of the actual ceremony but there is an image of the venue and the March Past at the Supreme Court Building.
It was replaced by the Independence Fountain at Tinubu Square: Ed Keazor told Atqnews.com that a series of Letters first Revoking the Ownership of Some Rights of the Royal Niger Companies and Later Consolidating the Southern and Northern Protectorates into One Territory by 1900 and the Patents were put Together into a New Constitution which Came into effect on the 1st of 1914.
According to Keazor ” Royal Niger Company possessions had been acquired on revocation of the Charter in December 1899. So effective possession (ownership) had been and continued to be exercised over those territories from January 1 1900, when they were joined to either the Northern or Southern Protectorates.
The Royal Niger Company did not ‘own’ or ‘sell’ Nigeria, as they only exercised control over territories with which it signed treaties all of which were contiguous to the River Niger. Those in the hinterland under British rule were controlled by the Niger Coast Protectorate An initial sum of £1M was requested by the RNC while £500k was offered by the Crown before final sum was agreed.
The mining licence fees continued till 1937 when further payments were revoked. They were paid £865,000 + an annual mining licence not necessarily to give up control but In compensation for expenses incurred on behalf of the Crown. The compensation was not contractual it was an act of good faith not a legal obligation. Ref: Ryder-Hill Report.The RNC control over River territories Niger and Benue was further to the treaty of Berlin. Now if you recall, no Nigerians were present.
The Crown derived its title from , Treaties e.g Treaty of Lagos, Protectorate Treaties of the Oil Rivers/Niger Coast Protectorates/Royal Niger Company treaties and simple conquest – Sokoto, Bida, Kontagora, Aro etc of which treaties were then signed after conquest with subdued rulers. These formed the bases of the possession it purported to exercise in the said territories, and which possession and ownership grounded its decision to amalgamate. People get twisted with 1914, forgetting the deed had been done by 1900 with the creation of the Protectorates. 1914 was a formality.
I need to mention that this purported exercise of possession by 1900 was often with Kingdoms oblivious that they were possessions. They were simply forcibly annexed in fait accompli by Lugard. Doc 1 of 9. Nigeria Gazette entry of Jan 1, 1914 reflecting the legal basis of the amalgamation.
A previous acts of possession of both the Northern and Southern Protectorates contained in UK statutes giving the Crown the right to administer the said possessions as it deems fit. Note: Consent of the indigenes was not remotely a factor in consideration. Doc 2 of 9 showing the Governors powers likewise providing for Judicial and Legislative arms of government. .This is the Transcript of the Amalgamation Document Signed by the King in November 1913.
AT THE COURT AT WINDSOR CASTLE The 22nd day of November, 1913. PRESENT – THE KING’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, Earl Spencer, Lord Stamfordham and Lord Emmott.
WHEREAS by the foreign jurisdiction Act, 1890. It is amongst other things enacted that it shall be lawful for His Majesty the King to hold exercise and enjoy any jurisdiction which His Majesty now has or may at any time hereafter have within a foreign country in the same and as ample a manner as if His Majesty had acquired that jurisdiction by the cession or conquest of territory and whereas by an order in council hearing date the twenty-seventh day of December 1899, and known as the Northern Nigeria order in council, 1899, provision was made for the administration of the Government of the territories known as Northern Nigeria.
And Whereas by futher orders in council bearing date the Nineteenth day of October, 1908 and the Eleventh day of October 1912, and known respectively as the Northern Nigeria order in council, 1908. Part 2 will include Speeches made at the Amalgamation Ceremony in Lagos.
THE FIGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM FROM BRITAIN COLONIAL RULE:
Having being under British colonisation after amalgamation in 1914 by Lord Frederick John Dealtry Lugard, Nigeria was to become a Republic on the 1st of May 1963. The push for national freedom by the pan-nationalist e.g. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello would eventually pay off.
The ceremony was done under the watchful eyes of Princess Alexandria Ogilvy of Kent( England who represented Queen Elizabeth-2 ) amidst a ceremonial military parade with Nigerian Brigade of Guards soldiers commanded by the then Captain but now late Major-General Akpode David Ejoor.
The instruments of state, governance and other official documents of independence were delivered to the new Nigerian democratic government under the leadership of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe as President and Mr Abukakar Tafawa Balewa as the Prime Minister of Nigeria in a ceremony done earlier @ the new Parliament Building adjacent the Race Course( present day Tafawa Balewa Square( TBS ).
Britain will finally grant Nigeria’s request of independence @ midnight of the 1st of October 1960 with the lowering of the Britain’s flag( “THE UNION JACK” ) and hoisting of the Green-White-Green Nigerian flag at the grounds of the then RACE COURSE which is today popularly called the Tafawa Balewa Square( TBS ) in Ikoyi - Lagos.
This was done by naval rating Salaudeen Akano at midnight of 1st October 1960. He was was part of a Naval platoon under the command of late Lieutenant Onwurah Zonyanuno Chiazor( the former Aide de Camp (ADC) of Nigeria’s First Republic President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe ) who hosted the Nigerian Flag at midnight to mark the beginning of Nigeria’s political freedom.
Interestingly, Salaudeen was to be later commissioned as an officer in the later Nigerian Navy and rose to the rank of a commodore before retirement while his platoon commander on the historic night of independence left the service as a commander.
NIGERIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM( THEMED SONG );-A. OLD VERSION: “NIGERIA WE HAIL THEE” "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was adopted as Nigeria's first national anthem on October 1, 1960. The anthem's lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for "Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria,_We_Hail_Thee The lyrics goes thus;
-I). Nigeria we hail thee, Our own dear native land Though tribes and tongue may differ In brotherhood we stand Nigerians all, are proud to serve Our sovereign Motherland.
-II). Our flag shall be a symbol That truth and justice reign In peace or battle honour'd, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children A banner without stain.
-III). O God of all creation Grant this our one request. Help us to build a nation Where no man is oppressed And so with peace and plenty Nigeria may be blessed.
[b]-B. NEWER VERSION: “ARISE O COMPATROITS.” [/b]The second national anthem, "Arise, O Compatriots," replaced "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" in 1978. The anthem was adopted in 1978 and replaced the previous national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee".
The lyrics are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict P. Odiase (1934–2013). The Nigerian national anthem lyrics were created by five people: P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme tim Akpan and B.A. Ogunnaike. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arise,_O_Compatriots It runs thus;
I). Arise, O Compatriots, Nigeria's call obey To serve our fatherland, With love & strength and faith The labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vain To serve with heart might, One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
II). Oh God of creation, Direct our noble cause Guide thou our leaders right, Help our youth the truth to know In love and honesty to grow, And living just and true Great lofty heights attain, To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.
NATIONAL PLEDGE( SOLEMN COMMITMENT ). I pledge to Nigeria my Country, To be faithful, loyal and honest, To serve Nigeria with all my strength, To defend her unity, To uphold her honour and glory, So help me God, Amen!
NATIONAL MONUMENTS: STATE HOUSE( MARINA, DODAN BARRACKS, ASO ROCK VILLA ). State House is the official residence of Nigerian Heads of State( HOS ) or Presidential Palace right from pre-colonial times till date. The State House, Marina – Lagos was the official residence of the last Governor General – Sir James Robertson who handed over to the now late Sir Abubarka Tafawa Balewa Prime Minister @ independence on the 1st of October, 1960. Tafawa Balewa stayed here till the Military coup of January 15th, 1966.
Late Major General Johnson Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi( Nigeria first military president ) stayed @ state house Marina-Lagos facing the Lagos Lagoon front then till July 28th, 1966 when he was replaced by General Yakubu Chinwa Gowon in another military take over of government. General Gowon moved into the residence of the former minister of state Defense-Army; the late Alhaji Mahammadu Ribadu locate inside the Dodan Barracks – Obalende, Ikoyi – Lagos.
All the military HOSs and democratically elected presidents from General Gowon till General Ibrahim Badamasi Ibrahim Babangida( IBB ) all stayed @ the State House, Ribadu Road – Ikoyi, South – West Nigeria until the state House or Federal Capital Territory( FCT ) was moved from Lagos to Abuja on the 12th of December 1991. So Abuja have remained the FCT from that day. What a history for our nation
.
The now late Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (OFR) is the man who designed the Nigerian national flag. “He was a native of Abeokuta, Ogun State who was born on May 10, 1936, but lived in Ibadan until his demise. He attended Baptist Day Secondary School, Ibadan, for his Primary education and Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan, for his Secondary education.
He started his career as a Civil Servant at the Secretariat of Ibadan and later travelled overseas to study Agricultural Engineering at Norway Technical College.
In 1958, during his stay abroad, Akinkunmi stumbled upon an advertisement in a national daily calling for the submission of designs for the Nigerian national flag in view of Nigeria’s imminent Independence from British governance.
His entry was adjudged the best among the roughly 2,000 entries submitted. The original design of the flag featured a white band flanked by two green ones, and a red sun with streaming rays was located on the white band. The sun was eventually done away with by the overseeing committee to produce the present design.
Akinkunmi’s design was selected because of its ingenuity and profundity (the green bands represent the forests and abundant natural wealth of the country, while the white band represents peace). The flag was officially hoisted on Independence Day (October 1, 1960) instead of the British Union Jack.
Pa Akinkunmi was awarded 100 pounds by the govern-ment when his design was selected. He has also been honoured with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) Award by President Goodluck Jonathan.Pa. Akinkunmi, aged 93, died in the early hours of Tuesday; the 29th of August 2023 after a brief illness.....”
Every indices and parameters shows that Nigeria is a failed state. The earlier it is balkanized the better for the people. If we keep moving in this direction then I'm afraid there's no hope for this country.
Racoon: May God help the genuine citizens of this nation as we make the nation what He wants it to be.
@OP Nice piece but correct the 2014 typo...do a total proofreading...to correct some little more errors. To me there's nothing to celebrate a 63 year old waman that is still yet to walk.
It's hard to think that there's ever been a group of people more directionless than Africans as a whole and Nigerians in particular. Even the biblical Israelites wandered in circles for forty years after which they found their promised land.
We have been wandering for sixty three years! That's more time than the average age of over fifty percent of our population. Meaning over 100m of us were not born when this s**t started. And that if we continue on this track, many of us will never experience what it means to truly live life all because of tribal and religious sentiments. Who tribe and/or religion help abeg? Na wa o.
Scramble for Africa..... after 63 years the Brits are still exploiting you and your resources but yet you call yourself an independent nation....... tuehhhhh
Nigeria just needs a resting to a new default mode. This nation have the capacity to be great but not with what has happened and to worsened it, it doesn't deserve the current bunch criminally irresponsible useless ensemble of leaders led by the illegitimate president.
Sometimes I ask myself, is it not the same crude oil that Saudi Arabia, UAE, Russia and other countries have that we have here? Why is our own case different? Till date Nigeria cannot boast of 24 hours electricity. What a shame
I love this piece! It is quite rewarding to know we played no part in this contraption that still isn't working.
On the other hand, the difficulty in commandeering the people to the whims of the authorities may have played a role in why the decision to exclude my forefathers was taken.
ManishSmith: Scramble for Africa..... after 63 years the Brits are still exploiting you and your resources but yet you call yourself an independent nation....... tuehhhhh
