₦airaland Forum

You cannot use the issue of a child born out of wedlock in this instance because at least two independent parties consented to have sexual intercourse which under the law is an agreement to both take responsibility for the result of their joint action

Timidelaw:
"Two plus two is not sometimes equal to four…. It is equal to four plus one because one is a powerful amalgamation" these were the words of Enock Maregesi. With this I'll say, good day to the Moderator, Panel of judges, Co-debaters, and the audience. I am Ojo Timilehin Joshua (Timidelaw) and I'm here to shed more light in conviction that, 1914 Amalgamation was no historic mistake.

In 1914, the British imperialist, Lord Lugard effected the union of both the Northern and Southern parts of the country under the name of Nigeria, presumably coined by his fiancée. These am sure is not new to readers, a continuation of these known story of the Nigeria amalgamation will only cause boredom to readers, contrary to that, I will clinically and convincingly prove that the 1914 amalgamation is not in any way a mistake.
Slight as it might look, it is of importance to define the key words in this topic. Black's Law dictionary defines amalgamation to be, the "Union of different races, or diverse elements, societies, or corporations, so as to form a homogeneous whole or new body", while mistake is defined as, "Some unintentional act, omission, or error arising from ignorance, surprise, imposition, or misplaced confidence." The question then arises, are we now saying the union of the Northern and Southern protectorate was not intentional? We will all agree to the position that it was.

What constitute an historic mistake in the formation of Nigeria? Is it the better communication created by this union or our Military strength? Our rich diversity or envied culture? Our stand out amongst African countries as a whole or taking the lead in West Africa? Our vast fertile land for agriculture or the Oil wells in the Niger Delta region? Is it being the world most populous black Nation or the giant of Africa? Maybe our tremendous contribution to the growth of Africa or relevance on the world map? I seem not to understand the mistake.
We, as a people, have decided to be deceived by some others that the issues troubling Nigeria is as a result of the amalgamation of 1914. Let us reason together, not minding the happenings in Somalia, so to say a homogenous nation, taking our home for example would better drive home the point, the Boko-haram issue of the Northern Nigeria; this is a menace which began around the year 2007 over 90 years after the merger, need not state this is an act carried out by the Northerners within the same region, the Niger Delta Crisis; a cause of alarm some years back, an act done by the Southern youths in the southern region. I then begin to wonder how these would be blamed on a merger, when they are operational in same regions.

Many would raise the issue of corruption; I must state here that, whether a merger or not, what will be will be. A close look at the happenings in Rivers State Nigeria can answer this better, if brothers from same state can make the state be in a war like manner, why then should we be deceived to believe that if the Northern and Southern part of Nigeria were separate it would be any different?

The issues affecting the nation today are not a result of the merger, but rather that of our leaders, and they should accept responsibility for their actions, and not try to turn the blame to the 1914 amalgamation. Little wonder renounced writer Chinua Achebe stated, "the trouble with Nigeria is the failure of leadership". In Nigeria today, self-centeredness is the order of the day, everyman for himself, can we consider the recent developments of a former National Security Adviser who misappropriated funds meant to fight insurgency in Northern Nigeria, a region where he originates from and still blame the amalgamation for wickedness to his people? Do we consider the figures in dollars recovered as a result of corruption in recent times and call the amalgamation of 1914 a historic mistake for such in 2016? That is going to be meaningless. Botswana and Somalia are very good examples, homogenous nations, but the difference between both is simply due to leadership. While Botswana had a leadership that pursued the need of the people as a nation, Somalia were busy languishing with power tussle by ill motive individuals.

The questions are more practical than giving history which has been created and crafted to deceive the populace by our past leaders that the merger is the cause for all the wrongs in our nation and mirage we find ourselves.

Assuming but not conceding that the amalgamation was an error, do we then think we have an excuse for the failing state of the nation? Definitely no, a child born out of wedlock or one born out of rape may want to give same argument, but am sure you will agree with me that no excuse exist in that, reason being that, everyone has control of his life, yes he might have been born in error but what he becomes in life is solely to his credit. A nation of 100 years and counting, complaining of its birth only shows deceit, lack of focus, misplaced priority and failure to progress.

Why should we even call it an error, when all nations of the world at one time or the other were birth in this form. If we go back into history, we see that the world used to be divided into empires and kingdoms.  In the modern period, however, nations or nation states have replaced empires as the basic unit of human political organization. These means people of diverse cultures made up nations, and they have not called this union a mistake, why then we. We are no different from them. 
Nations are built by men and women who have the will and vision to accomplish greatness, not for themselves, their immediate families and friends, but for their country. With such people it will be evident that 1914 amalgamation was not in any way a mistake.


REFERENCES
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/05/amalgamation-of-1914-was-it-a-mistake/
http://www.myfinancialintelligence.com/content/amalgamation-1914-was-it-mistake
http://www.mafng.org/anniversary/challenges_nation_building_nigeria.htm

Great research i must say, one which didn't require any stress, as the internet is flooded by people of like minds that you quoted. All persons who at one point or the other, had the chance to place this unity(Nigeria) at the correct spot, but messed up with the opportunity due to self-centered life giving excuses for failure.

emaculate99:
“The southern Nigerians who are swarming into this region daily in large number are really intruders… they are not welcomed here in the North. Since the amalgamation in 1914, the British has been trying to make Nigeria one country, but the Nigerian people are different in every way including religion… We here in North, take it that Nigeria’s unity is not for us.” – Tafawa Balewa.

“The mistake of 1914 has come to light” – the Sardauna of Sokoto.

“Nigeria is not a nation, it is a mere geographical expression … to which life was given by the diabolic amalgamation of 1914, that amalgamation will ever remain the most painful injury inflicted on the Southern Nigeria.” – Obafemi Awolowo.

Standing on the already established protocol, I am Emaculate Ife representing OAU. I write to support the motion which states: “1914 Amalgamation – a historical mistake?” Before I continue, let me represent the issue of 1914 amalgamation with this:

In plastic industry, thermoset plastics are made in such a way that a very high temperature is needed to cure them. If there is any mistake, reheating it will make binding impossible because its chemical makeup necessary for binding will be decomposed. The manufacturer has no other option than to completely break the defective product up.

Historically, the amalgamation of Nigeria stemmed out from the 1984/85 scramble of Africa which took no recourse for the interest of the people in the communities that were being shared. The location which happened to be the present day Nigeria was the portion given to Britain and which was enclosed by the portion given to France. France unlike Britain, thought of the people to some extent and chose not to amalgamate the communities in the said portion. With lack of knowledge of the people in the communities, the British joined them together to aid administrative convenience and economic purposes. But should administrative convenience and economic purpose be greater than people’s interest?

As citizens of a colonised country, we were merely the slaves of the colonialists who had to do what our masters said. Should we still allow ourselves to be controlled by the slave masters’ unfavourable structure even after getting our independence from the slave masters? Amalgamation is something of the colonialists who without recourse for us joined us (who are incompatible) together and impliedly charged us to live together as one for their economic purpose. Should we still continue to live under a unification which was consummated, without consultation, purely for the colonialists’ economic purpose rather than our own interest? I doubt it.

Moreover, the mistake of the 1914 amalgamation has been expressed by eminent personalities like Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and a host of others and have been put into action by the Biafrans in 1963 and recently. These eminent personalities had more experience about Nigeria as a whole so they understood perfectly what they said. Also, the previous and current protest for Biafra state stem out from amalgamation. Without amalgamation, there will be no civil war that led to the death of millions of people, malnourishment and deprivation of human rights.

Furthermore, it has been noted by UNESCO that “… no single type of foreign university can in itself, meet the aspirations of the African people for social and economic development.” That means people who school in foreign university cannot meet the aspiration of the African for social and economic development. Lord Lugard schooled at a foreign university. Therefore, Lord Luggard cannot give a policy that will meet the aspirations of African for social and economic development without it failing in these aspects.

Although, every Nigerian regards himself as a Nigerian but tribalism has put the status ‘Nigerian’ into a state of oblivion. When it comes to issues affecting one’s tribe/ethnic, the status ‘Nigeria', will be thrown into dustbin and each will declare their allegiance for their tribe/ethnic. This sometime leads to bloodshed. An example is the recent tribal fight at Mile 12 between Hausa and Yoruba.

Come to think of it, if the 1914 amalgamation is not a mistake, then people should take themselves as Nigerians and not the other way round. Provided by Nigerian constitution, any person who is a Nigerian by birth can contest as the governor of Nigeria provided that S182 of the constitution does not apply to him, but can an Igbo contest as the governor of Lagos without being told the history of his life that Lagos state belongs to the Yoruba (West) and not any other part of Nigeria? Nigeria and not the people is amalgamated.

Consequently, the country was designed during amalgamation to give more powers to the Northern part of Nigeria who are not educated in the western way as a result of the British policy that ousted their western education in order to curtail them from being as intellectual as Indian Muslims. In a bid to strengthen their (British) control over the whole country, more powers were given to the North and were made to enjoy the dividends of amalgamation even till today at the expense of other communities, thereby leading to a violent revolt against the government. Till today, Northern Nigeria still enjoy the consolidation of powers given to them by the Europeans and this has led to unhealthy relationship among the regions making up the present day Nigeria. This was further confirmed by the words of Sir Ahmadu Bello who said that “the new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather, Othman Dan Fodio, we must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We must use the minorities in the North as willing tools and the south as conquered territories and never allowed them to rule over us … have control over their future.”

With this, the current Biafran protest and the outpour of the Hausa and Yoruba leaders, I believe, you will throw your support behind me that the 1914 amalgamation is nothing but a mistake.

REFERENCE

www.thewillnigeria.com/news/opinion-is-1914-amalgamtion-a-blessing-or-a-curse

www.myfinancialintelligence.com/content/amalgamation--1914-was-it-mistake

www.chikaforafrica.com

1999 constitution of Nigeria 2011 as amended.

good one, please can you relate that to the instance of rape also painted? Point out the consent

OAUTemitayo:
You cannot use the issue of a child born out of wedlock in this instance because at least two independent parties consented to have sexual intercourse which under the law is an agreement to both take responsibility for the result of their joint action

horlapelumi:
It is assumed by progressive historians that the amalgamation was to provide good administration and encourage internal trade throughout the country of diverse nations and a large market. Indeed, the post amalgamation period witnessed movements of people throughout the country with heavier traffic towards the North. There was also expanded trade culminating in the movement of goods from south to north and north to south, for instance, activities at the popular Onitsha market.

I agree with you on one point. The amalgamation was to provide good administration during the colonial era and was necessitated because of the economic interest the European have for the country. However, trading has no boundary. Before amalgamation, there have been signs of economic contact among these people. Apart from that, amalgamation is not needed for expansion of trade. if i am to follow your logic then i can say that there will be no export and import without amalgamation of the trading locations. Benin Republic is not a part of Nigeria and yet there is movement of goods from it to Nigeria and vice-versa. therefore, your point holds no ground.

Timidelaw:
Well, that answer is as well left for you to decide. Even South Africa you made reference to and compared our great nation to is made up of different people. The countries we all look up to came up in this form. So why call ours a mistake?

You have not answered my question that it is justified to force people into a union without their consent
On South Africa, the indigenous people of South Africa are the Zulus and the Afrikaans knows this. The Zulus of South Africa are okay with the white immigrants from Europe. In as much as they are okay with it, it is not a problem. You cannot use that to justify the compulsion of Igbos who are Christians majorly together with hard-line Islamists and Fulani's who want the total imposition of Sharia.

emaculate99:
can you combine two companies together without their consent? Is it legal to fuse together two companies to form a new (separate) company which has a unique name, identity and existence without any implied or expressed consent? I doubt it. The British government amalgamated the southern and northern protectorates to form the present Nigeria without seeking their consent. If two companies cannot be legally combined together to form a new (separate) company then the joining together of the two protectorates without their consent is a mistake.

It was argued that most countries in Asia and Europe are united because of the singular identify that have, asked the to mention any country that has a single ethic group,, non, all we have is unity in diversity, it has been from time immemorial that we live together in unity in diversity, what makes up Israel is it 12tribes not on single tribe. And it would only be a person with poor knowledge of fact that most countries in the world exist together because of the unity in diversity

Why bring in contract when common sense answer it all.

Moreover I will like to remind you of our state of civilisation during that period. And I will leave you with this; what was the reactions of our men when the proclamation was made? Implied consent is what we are talking about here

Timidelaw:
good one, please can you relate that to the instance of rape also painted? Point out the consent

You are digressing and shooting yourself in the leg. Rape produce a child who has biological compartments working together and peaceful to produce desired results that satisfies the child. But this amalgamation produced a geographical expression where the compulsed compartments are fighting and killing themselves. They are two different things

Make i sidon 4 here. **brings out 2bags of popcorn and hollandia yoghurt**

Timidelaw:
Great research i must say, one which didn't require any stress, as the internet is flooded by people of like minds that you quoted. All persons who at one point or the other, had the chance to place this unity(Nigeria) at the correct spot, but messed up with the opportunity due to self-centered life giving excuses for failure.

Yeah, they had a chance to unite the people but how can they unite a country which contained different groups of people who had no interest of getting themselves united? It is not the case that they failed to unite the people. It is the case that the people cannot be united due to the fact that they are not ready to get themselves united. From the quotes, you will understand that they made these statements having experienced failed trial of joining the parts that made up Nigeria together due to the people's lack of interest.

You must take a look back at the argument and read in contest and not pick out point, after an answer is given, you say its out of consent.

Timidelaw:
Great research i must say, one which didn't require any stress, as the internet is flooded by people of like minds that you quoted. All persons who at one point or the other, had the chance to place this unity(Nigeria) at the correct spot, but messed up with the opportunity due to self-centered life giving excuses for failure.

How can you expect Chief Obafemi Awolowo to put the Interest of an entity created to promote British hegemony over the Interest of his own people?

Please mention countries today that was created because they wanted to

emaculate99:
Yeah, they had a chance to unite the people but how can they unite a country which contained different groups of people who had no interest of getting themselves united? It is not the case that they failed to unite the people. It is the case that the people cannot be united due to the fact that they are not ready to get themselves united. From the quotes, you will understand that they made these statements having experienced failed trial of joining the parts that made up Nigeria together due to the people's lack of interest.

You dont find such. Why not do a clinical study on Botswana and Somalia, you will be better clarified. You get what you want.

emaculate99:
I agree to you on one point. The amalgamation was to provide good administration during the colonial era and was necessitated because of the economic interest the European have for the country. However, trading has no boundary. Before amalgamation, there have been signs of economic contact among these people. Apart from that, amalgamation is not needed for expansion of trade. if i am to follow your logic then i can say that there will be no export and import without amalgamation of the trading locations. Benin Republic is not a part of Nigeria and yet there is movement of goods from it to Nigeria and vice-versa. therefore, your point holds no ground.

What are this signs of economic contact? Import and export would very much be in place without amalgamation just that you might need international passport and visa to buy from Onitsha while in lagos. One of the essence as argued above is to foster intercommunal relationship through this trade and thereby encourage expansion of our local markets not international markets.

I also hope you know that Benin has a border and every goods coming from there pay duties. Imagine if such is happening because you want to buy goods from ibadan

Hausa/fulani have buhari, yoruba have tinubu and igbo has Nnamdi kanu . Thing done balanced

You keep talking of diversity of the nation. Am yet to see a reply to the point made on the Rivers state situation, neither have you answered the insurgency being operational mainly in the North(same people) or the Niger Delta in the South........ The lies of the leaders for their failure is what is driving us, and not any mistake of amalgamation.

horlapelumi:
It was argued that most countries in Asia and Europe are united because of the singular identify that have, asked the to mention any country that has a single ethic group,, non, all we have is unity in diversity, it has been from time immemorial that we live together in unity in diversity, what makes up Israel is it 12tribes not on single tribe. And it would only be a person with poor knowledge of fact that most countries in the world exist together because of the unity in diversity

Why bring in contract when common sense answer it all.

Moreover I will like to remind you of our state of civilisation during that period. And I will leave you with this; what was the reactions of our men when the proclamation was made? Implied consent is what we are talking about here

from history, you will understand that the 12 tribes that made up Israel has something in common. They came from a single origin, Jacob. Did Nigeria come from the same origin? Nigeria came out from no single origin yet it amalgamation was imposed on Nigeria without consulting the people concerned. Are you trying to tell me that it is right to impose something on people who with their actions and inactions are not willing to accept? Amalgamation is made for the selfish interest of the colonialists and not because the people want it. You know that.

Timidelaw:
Please mention countries today that was created because they wanted to

United Kingdom during the creation of the union was done through the signature of a pact. Nigeria has nothing of such pact and yet Nigeria being country of people with a lot of differences, the people need to be consulted and a pact should be entered between the north and the south. Amalgamation should not be imposed on them.

lol. i cant but laugh when you talk of origin, if we go by that then all African countries should be one.

emaculate99:
from history, you will understand that the 12 tribes that made up Israel has something in common. They came from a single origin, Jacob. Did Nigeria come from the same origin? Nigeria came out from no single origin yet it amalgamation was imposed on Nigeria without consulting the people concerned. Are you trying to tell me that it is right to impose something on people who with their actions and inactions are not willing to accept? Amalgamation is made for the selfish interest of the colonialists and not because the people want it. You know that.

On consent, How many countries come willing to state their readiness to be a country. A peep back into history will tell us better.

Timidelaw:
lol. i cant but laugh when you talk of origin, if we go by that then all African countries should be one.

How can Africans be one? Do Africans come from the same origin? Africans come from different origins. The yoruba have their story about their origin. The Igbo has the same and this goes for the Hausas, you cannot claim that they all have the same origin. However, if you ask from any of the 12 tribes of Israel, they will point to the fact that they come from the same origin.

*Such is the flawed foundation of the country that even after over hundred years of the amalgamation, Nigeria is still battling with basic problems such as food security problems (we are still importing majority of what we are eating such as rice and others even though we have an arable land that is more than enough), inadequate power generation (despite spending over twenty trillion naira on the sector we are still generating 4000MW for a population of over 160 million when South Africa a country with half population of ours generates over 50,000MW), poor road network, poor health facilities, terrible education sector (or how do you explain students dying on the collapse of classrooms that should have been renovated) etc.*

Reading the above from my opponent argument, i begin to wonder how the amalgamation is to be blamed for this. I believe it was written in error...

Please take me on a journey to origin of Africans, but do so to the perfect end please. Do so before coming to yoruba, ibgo and s, lets see where it all ends

emaculate99:
How can Africans be one? Do Africans come from the same origin? Africans come from different origins. The yoruba have their story about their origin. The Igbo has the same and this goes for the Hausas, you cannot claim that they all have the same origin.

emaculate99:
can you combine two companies together without their consent? Is it legal to fuse together two companies to form a new (separate) company which has a unique name, identity and existence without any implied or expressed consent? I doubt it. The British government amalgamated the southern and northern protectorates to form the present Nigeria without seeking their consent. If two companies cannot be legally combined together to form a new (separate) company then the joining together of the two protectorates without their consent is a mistake.

In answering that, i would like you to know that an implied consent is deem to be legal consent in law. consider the reactions of our people when the proclamation was made, no agitation against it whatsoever which simply means, go ahead, we are behind you.

why bring in Contract when common sense has the answer

Timidelaw:
You keep talking of diversity of the nation. Am yet to see a reply to the point made on the Rivers state situation, neither have you answered the insurgency being operational mainly in the North(same people) or the Niger Delta in the South........ The lies of the leaders for their failure is what is driving us, and not any mistake of amalgamation.

Rivers state is made up of different languages so their conflict is understandable.
Ijaws and ogonis are not the same

emaculate99:
from history, you will understand that the 12 tribes that made up Israel has something in common. They came from a single origin, Jacob. Did Nigeria come from the same origin? Nigeria came out from no single origin yet it amalgamation was imposed on Nigeria without consulting the people concerned. Are you trying to tell me that it is right to impose something on people who with their actions and inactions are not willing to accept? Amalgamation is made for the selfish interest of the colonialists and not because the people want it. You know that.

also in history you will agree that tribes in Nigeria have something in common, they come from the same geographical location. And as i have earlier stated amalgamation was not imposed rather it was posited without any opposition which means it is good enough to work with

i really love this, but am short of words to reply to thus. Your argument proves your brilliancy, but that reply leaves me speechless....

OAUTemitayo:
Rivers state is made up of different languages so their conflict is understandable.
Ijaws and ogonis are not the same

Are we therefore looking for a family to become a nation?

If Nigeria is really meant to be united and blended into a single united country through amalgamation, do you think there will be need for us calling for unity everyday? The constant call of unity after amalgamation is as a result of the fact that amalgamation of the country has failed to unite the people. why should we still continue to make use of something that has failed in what it is meant to do? Is it not a mistake if such amalgamation failed in performing what is necessary intended for?

horlapelumi:
One love, one heart . .
Let’s get together and feel all right
I once argued that Lord Lugard wrote that lyrics, not because I don’t know Bob Marley but because he took an action in 1914 and the result as well as the reason were sum up in those lyrics.
Greetings moderators, distinguish adjudicators, fellow rational thinkers and amiable Nairalanders. I am horlapelumi of Lagos State University. I hope we can have a long and happy relationship together as I tend to have difficulty with small talk, so let's get to the chase while we debate about the glorious call of 1914 among a group of people called the giant of Africa; ‘THE ALMAGATION OF NIGERIA’ through this beautiful platform NAIRALAND which no reasonable man would call a ‘mistake’. I stand to oppose the motion “Amalgamation of 1914, Historical Mistake”.
To amalgamate means to unite, combine or blend. It is an act or process in which two or more things fuse together to form a new potent thing. Amalgamation results in the formation of a new (separate) company which has a unique name, identity and existence. In this light, amalgamation is the creation of a new state by the coming together of two or more states. Popular example is the joining together of the Northern and Southern protectorate to form a NIGERIA.
It is assumed by progressive historians that the amalgamation was to provide good administration and encourage internal trade throughout the country of diverse nations and a large market. Indeed, the post amalgamation period witnessed movements of people throughout the country with heavier traffic towards the North. There was also expanded trade culminating in the movement of goods from south to north and north to south, for instance, activities at the popular Onitsha market.
It is important to note that, before the invasion by the British, many empires within the Nigerian territory had made spirited efforts to unify the various tribes within West Africa. The Oyo Empire was known to have extended its empire up north towards Niger republic and deep west into Dahomey. The Fulani Empire was also known to have made spirited efforts to conquer and unify various tribes in Nigeria during the pre-colonial days. All these goes to say that there was a pre-colonial effort to unify the various tribes in Nigeria, the British only helped in speeding up the process. Should we then call such a generous act a mistake?
It is interesting to know that many of the proponents of ‘Nigeria amalgamation a curse’ are of the opinion that Nigerian people are different in every way including religion, custom, language and aspiration, In fact that we`re all Africans might have misguided the British Government but they fail to realise that; We are all equal in the fact that we are all different. We are all the same in the fact that we will never be the same. We are united by the reality that all colours and all cultures are distinct & individual. We are harmonious in the reality that we are all held to this earth by the same gravity. We don't share blood, but we share the air that keeps us alive. I will not blind myself and say that my black brother or brown sister is not different from me. But my brother or sister is as much as I am me. If we can’t survive with others, how we survive with ourselves.
I will like to avert our mind to certain incidents that happened after the union of 1914. History has it that after the amalgamation of 1914 Politically and economically, things appeared normal until the introduction of the Legislative Council which brought together representatives from the north and the southern parts of the country and months after this the late Prime Minister of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was reported in 1952 in a speech in the Northern House of Assembly, Kaduna, that `the Southern people who are swarming into this region daily in large numbers are really intruder. This establish the fact that, amalgamation was never the problem; issues plaguing the country range from leadership to ethnic and religious jingoism which some leaders deliberately played up to further divide the country. Is it not amazing how the incompetence of the present leaders could be blamed on events which happened about one hundred years ago? Many still relates fault from those halcyon days of British political ingenuity of 1914 to the present turbulent period of insurgency in the North, kidnapping and robberies in the South and deepening poverty all over the country when events have changed dramatically leaving vestiges of political bitterness, ethnic terrorism and religious intolerance.
There are claims and even confessions that the amalgamation was for the economic interest of the British, oh no! It was not only for their interest as it turns out to be a blessing to the amalgamated, take for instance, the first motion for Independence was moved in 1953, years after the amalgamation and in togetherness despite northern objection at first, the course was pursued and achieved. At independence, we inherited a nation built on unity in diversity, peace, freedom and justice and a national anthem that emphasised that unity, irrespective of our complexities. The first stanza of that sacred song, “Nigeria we hail thee” was formulated to reflect good virtues and ideals, our shared values. It was a national hymn we all felt proud to sing as children and adults. It’s scintillating lyrics and captivating wording inspired in every Nigeria, the spirit of nationalism and patriotism. Then we became so unfaithful with ourselves, faulting the force that brought us together, seeking independence out of independence as in the case of the Biafrans.
After 100 years, we had oracles of the British from Nigeria saying amidst other things that Nigeria was built to last for 100 years only and we can’t survive beyond that. Distinguish judges, adjudicators and my ever attentive audience, such arguments shows no respect for common sense, conclusively, because OUR AMALGAMATION IS NOT A MISTAKE, OUR AMALGAMATION IS UNIQUE BECAUSE DESPERATE UNITS WERE MERGED TOGETHER AND WE ARE STILL TOGETHER even after 100 years!







REFERENCES
• https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/unity
• http://kalyan-city..com.ng/2012/04/what-is-amalgamation-definition-meaning.html
•http://www.myfinancialintelligence.com/content/amalgamation-1914-was-it-mistake#sthash.th8NYYIM.dpuf
• http://www.mynewswatchtimesng.com/aliyu-harps-benefits-1914-amalgamation/
AMALGAMATION OF 1914: Was it a mistake?
• http://saharareporters.com/2014/03/10/1914-amalgamation-mistake-or-blessing-onyiorah-chiduluemije-paschal
• https://www.nairaland.com/1081002/1914-amalgamation-historical-mistake-nairaland
• https://www.nairaland.com/1202792/document-nigerias-amalgamation-1914-picture
• http://www.famous-quotes.com/topic.php?tid=1256

Which group of people who make up a nation are all one in all respect. Ok, for the Boko haram issue in the North, i believe your reply will be some are dark others fair, and some are tall others short. Come on.....

Timidelaw:
*Such is the flawed foundation of the country that even after over hundred years of the amalgamation, Nigeria is still battling with basic problems such as food security problems (we are still importing majority of what we are eating such as rice and others even though we have an arable land that is more than enough), inadequate power generation (despite spending over twenty trillion naira on the sector we are still generating 4000MW for a population of over 160 million when South Africa a country with half population of ours generates over 50,000MW), poor road network, poor health facilities, terrible education sector (or how do you explain students dying on the collapse of classrooms that should have been renovated) etc.*

Reading the above from my opponent argument, i begin to wonder how the amalgamation is to be blamed for this. I believe it was written in error...

The poor state of the country is borne of mediocrity imposed by the use of tribal consideration above expertise.
JAMB is a very good example

This as well as your last question makes me feel you are yet to get the topic. 1914 Almagamation; an Historical mistake(I blatantly oppose this). What exactly are we saying? It's simply not the act(cause we are not responsible for that) but the result(which we should take full responsibility for) So why even tell us all what the British guys have said?

emaculate99:
“The southern Nigerians who are swarming into this region daily in large number are really intruders… they are not welcomed here in the North. Since the amalgamation in 1914, the British has been trying to make Nigeria one country, but the Nigerian people are different in every way including religion… We here in North, take it that Nigeria’s unity is not for us.” – Tafawa Balewa.

“The mistake of 1914 has come to light” – the Sardauna of Sokoto.

“Nigeria is not a nation, it is a mere geographical expression … to which life was given by the diabolic amalgamation of 1914, that amalgamation will ever remain the most painful injury inflicted on the Southern Nigeria.” – Obafemi Awolowo.

Standing on the already established protocol, I am Emaculate Ife representing OAU. I write to support the motion which states: “1914 Amalgamation – a historical mistake?” Before I continue, let me represent the issue of 1914 amalgamation with this:

In plastic industry, thermoset plastics are made in such a way that a very high temperature is needed to cure them. If there is any mistake, reheating it will make binding impossible because its chemical makeup necessary for binding will be decomposed. The manufacturer has no other option than to completely break the defective product up.

Historically, the amalgamation of Nigeria stemmed out from the 1984/85 scramble of Africa which took no recourse for the interest of the people in the communities that were being shared. The location which happened to be the present day Nigeria was the portion given to Britain and which was enclosed by the portion given to France. France unlike Britain, thought of the people to some extent and chose not to amalgamate the communities in the said portion. With lack of knowledge of the people in the communities, the British joined them together to aid administrative convenience and economic purposes. But should administrative convenience and economic purpose be greater than people’s interest?

As citizens of a colonised country, we were merely the slaves of the colonialists who had to do what our masters said. Should we still allow ourselves to be controlled by the slave masters’ unfavourable structure even after getting our independence from the slave masters? Amalgamation is something of the colonialists who without recourse for us joined us (who are incompatible) together and impliedly charged us to live together as one for their economic purpose. Should we still continue to live under a unification which was consummated, without consultation, purely for the colonialists’ economic purpose rather than our own interest? I doubt it.

Moreover, the mistake of the 1914 amalgamation has been expressed by eminent personalities like Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and a host of others and have been put into action by the Biafrans in 1963 and recently. These eminent personalities had more experience about Nigeria as a whole so they understood perfectly what they said. Also, the previous and current protest for Biafra state stem out from amalgamation. Without amalgamation, there will be no civil war that led to the death of millions of people, malnourishment and deprivation of human rights.

Furthermore, it has been noted by UNESCO that “… no single type of foreign university can in itself, meet the aspirations of the African people for social and economic development.” That means people who school in foreign university cannot meet the aspiration of the African for social and economic development. Lord Lugard schooled at a foreign university. Therefore, Lord Luggard cannot give a policy that will meet the aspirations of African for social and economic development without it failing in these aspects.

Although, every Nigerian regards himself as a Nigerian but tribalism has put the status ‘Nigerian’ into a state of oblivion. When it comes to issues affecting one’s tribe/ethnic, the status ‘Nigeria', will be thrown into dustbin and each will declare their allegiance for their tribe/ethnic. This sometime leads to bloodshed. An example is the recent tribal fight at Mile 12 between Hausa and Yoruba.

Come to think of it, if the 1914 amalgamation is not a mistake, then people should take themselves as Nigerians and not the other way round. Provided by Nigerian constitution, any person who is a Nigerian by birth can contest as the governor of Nigeria provided that S182 of the constitution does not apply to him, but can an Igbo contest as the governor of Lagos without being told the history of his life that Lagos state belongs to the Yoruba (West) and not any other part of Nigeria? Nigeria and not the people is amalgamated.

Consequently, the country was designed during amalgamation to give more powers to the Northern part of Nigeria who are not educated in the western way as a result of the British policy that ousted their western education in order to curtail them from being as intellectual as Indian Muslims. In a bid to strengthen their (British) control over the whole country, more powers were given to the North and were made to enjoy the dividends of amalgamation even till today at the expense of other communities, thereby leading to a violent revolt against the government. Till today, Northern Nigeria still enjoy the consolidation of powers given to them by the Europeans and this has led to unhealthy relationship among the regions making up the present day Nigeria. This was further confirmed by the words of Sir Ahmadu Bello who said that “the new nation called Nigeria should be an estate of our great grandfather, Othman Dan Fodio, we must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We must use the minorities in the North as willing tools and the south as conquered territories and never allowed them to rule over us … have control over their future.”

With this, the current Biafran protest and the outpour of the Hausa and Yoruba leaders, I believe, you will throw your support behind me that the 1914 amalgamation is nothing but a mistake.

REFERENCE

www.thewillnigeria.com/news/opinion-is-1914-amalgamtion-a-blessing-or-a-curse

www.myfinancialintelligence.com/content/amalgamation--1914-was-it-mistake

www.chikaforafrica.com

1999 constitution of Nigeria 2011 as amended.