This Is The Real Meaning Of The Nigerian Army Logo
& How The Arabic Script Got There
The Nigerian Army is the pride of the Nigerian nation
but not many Nigerians are familiar with the symbols
of the military. This article explains the motif of the
Nigerian Army cap badge or what is also called the
Nigerian Army logo. The logo is of utmost importance
and is seen in many establishments of the Nigerian
Army. So here is a breakdown of the Nigerian Army
logo:
THE EAGLE: The eagle represents the graceful power
of the Nigerian Army. In various cultures across the
globe, the eagle is revered as a towering symbol of
grace, power and elegance. Just like an eagle, the
Nigerian Army maintains keen surveillance during
times of peace and strikes with brutal precision and
eye-popping decisiveness only when it has been
provoked beyond tolerance.
THE TWO INTERLACED TRIANGLE-LIKE SIX-
POINTED STARS: This is the first symbol of Nigerian
unity and it was first struck by Governor-General
Lord Lugard in 1914. This was put in place when the
Northern and Southern Protectorates were merged to
form one nation, which explains the interlacing of the
two stars. The Nigerian Army shall maintain the unity
of Nigeria.
THE ARABIC SCRIPT:
The transliteration of the Arabic script on the
Nigerian Army logo is:
Nasrunminallah which means:
Victory Comes From God Alone
This particular motto was inscribed on the banner
under which the Nigerian indigenous forces battled
against the invading colonial forces. It symbolizes the
fact that the Nigerian Army stands to defend the
territorial integrity of the country at all times. The
motto was formerly that of Shehu Usman Dan Fodio,
head of the Sokoto Caliphate. Contrary to what many
think, the inclusion of the Arabic motto was not done
singlehandedly by General Muhammadu Buhari (now
president) or by northern elders but by the British.
Nowa Omoigui explains thus:
The adoption of the motto of the Sokoto Caliphate,
as that of the Nigerian Army, was made by the
British – before Nigerian Independence, and long
before Major General M. Buhari (rtd) even joined the
Army. The Nigerian Navy and AirForce have
different mottos from the Army.
One of the reasons was that the fall of Sokoto in
1903 – and death of Sultan Attahiru – was (and in
some circles, still is) inaccurately regarded by
western historians as the last formal battle in the
fall of what became “Nigeria”. The highly symbolic
Flag of the Caliphate was captured by the British,
recaptured by gallant Sokoto Horsemen and
recaptured again by the British. It was kept for
many years as a British trophy in one of the
officers’ messes in Kaduna but returned in a formal
ceremony just prior to Nigerian Independence. The
myth was spun and sustained by British Tradition.
However, “Nigeria” did not really fall in 1903. The Tiv
of the middle belt of “Northern Nigeria”, for example,
were not militarily or otherwise pacified for at least
another ten (10) years. Many pockets of resistance
remained in present day “Southern Nigeria” –
including Ekumeku and many others. Abeokuta lost its
independence in 1914.
Nevertheless, the symbolism of the events of 1903
became etched into official memory, as shaped by
Dealtry Lugard, which is why the Northern Nigeria
regiment and later the combined Nigeria regiment
(when Lugard supervised the wedding of Northern and
Southern Nigeria in 1914) adopted the Sokoto motto.
Many indigenous pre-colonial Nigerian armies and
nationalities resisted British rule. They all
presumably had their own mottos, but Sir Lugard was
preoccupied with his personal legacy as embodied by
the subjugation of the Sokoto Caliphate and
stabilization of the Anglo-French colonial frontier in
the north. It is not the making of modern day
“Northern Nigeria” or “Northern leaders” or “Leaders
of Northern origin” or “Hausa-Fulani oligarchy or
cabal” – as various writers suggest, that the motto of
the Nigerian Army is that of the pre-colonial Sokoto
Caliphate. It is one of the many colonial scars in
modern Nigeria – and there are many. I have even
heard of a cynical interpretation that Lugard
privately scoffed at the Sokoto motto “Victory is
with God Alone” by saying that he gained victory
over the Caliphate by combining God with the Maxim
gun. And so to this day, while we are encouraged to
wait for God to bring victory, predator nations
worship God in the day and make new weapons at
night.
The Army motto can certainly be discussed and
debated and perhaps even open to change after due
process (if deemed necessary), but we should keep the
true historical context and cynical significance in
mind. Nigeria is in many ways the way it is because
of the legacy of British conquest. Major General M.
Buhari (rtd) did not single handedly or otherwise
inscribe the motto of Shehu Dan Fodio into the battle
flag and the insignia of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The original reason for Arabic was that Frederick
Lugard (who was the first Commander of the West
African Frontier Force (1897 – 99) and later the first
High Commissioner of Northern Nigeria (1899 –
1906); and later the Governor of the protectorates of
Northern and Southern Nigeria (1912 – 1914); and
finally the first Governor General of post-
amalgamation Nigeria (1914 – 1919 ); identified
Arabic the only written “indigenous” language
anywhere in Nigeria/West Africa, particularly among
the widely spread Hausa trader class across the
region. (See Lugard report to Parliament, 1919)
Arabic inscriptions were, therefore, used as symbols,
not only for currency but even on official West
African Frontier Force badges etc… which persist
until today in Nigerian Army badges etc…
In the mind of the British colonial administrators in
Nigeria – whose administrative experience was heavily
influenced by their military service in Northern
Nigeria and other parts of the sahel belt of West
Africa – rightly or wrongly, Arabic writing was to
West Africa as Latin was to Europe. In addition to
English, therefore, they used Arabic to domesticate
British instruments meant for local use. The fact
that such symbols still exist is one of many scars of
the era of colonial rule. However, not all former
British West African colonies still use Arabic
translations on their currencies as a footnote to
history. Nigeria and Gambia do. Ghana and Sierra
Leone do not.
THE COLOUR RED: This colour depicts the enemy
forces, their installations and their activities. Colours
used in the Nigerian Armed Forces often follow the
NATO military colour code and can stand for the
same thing even when used in different places. The
Nigerian Army uses a flag that has three vertical
stripes (red, black and red), all of the same width.
The flag is flown at the Nigerian Army headquarters.
THE COLOUR BLACK: In military circles, black is the
traditional colour of the cavalry, armoured or
mechanized troops.

Source:www..com/this-is-the-real-meaning-of-the-nigerian-army-logo-how-the-arabic-script-got-there/

Iyena da.


Pot belle.

there is nothing like hausa-fulani oligarchy. the only existing term is fulani oligarchy under which hausa kingdoms are subjected. hausa - fulani is just a made up word to keep hausa subjects pacified and use the strength of hausa population in today's Nigeria's politics. One thing Fulanis best know how to do is hold on to power by any means necessary. religion is their most powerful tool followed by creating an illusion of homogeneity with the people they are ruling over.

Make i pack well

Why will they use arabic instead of english?