₦airaland Forum

SalamRushdie:
Everyone in the cabinet including the president have performed very lowly

naptu2: Nigerian armed forces

The Nigerian Army grew out of the Royal Niger Company Constabulary and the forces of the old Lagos Colony and Niger Coast Protectorate.

When in 1886, the Royal Niger Company received its charter, it organised its constabulary which at first consisted of five British and two African officers and about 400 rank and file, of whom more than half were Fantis (from the Gold Coast). In view of the critical situation that followed French encroachments on the territory of the Niger Company in 1894-1897, the British Government decided to raise a local force and Colonel (later Lord) Lugard was sent out to raise and command it.

By the beginning of 1900, the force had become a thoroughly well-organised and disciplined corps which was called the West African Frontier Force. In that year, the greater part of it under Colonel (later General) Sir William Wilcocks took a very prominent part in the Ashanti campaign.

At the end of 1901, all the colonial military forces in British West Africa were modelled on the same basis and constituted into the West African Frontier Force, each dependency being responsible for the maintenance of its own regiment or battalion. The Northern Nigeria Regiment consisted of two batteries and two battalions, to which was added a third Mounted Infantry Battalion. At the same time, the Lagos Constabulary became the Lagos Battalion and the Niger Coast Protectorate Force, with a portion of the Royal Niger Company Constabulary, became the Southern Niger Regiment.


On the amalgamation of Lagos and Southern Nigeria, the Lagos Battalion became the second battalion of the Southern Nigeria Regiment.

When the Northern and Southern Nigeria were amalgamated on January 1st, 1914 the two Regiments became one, which was designated the Nigeria Regiment.


First World War

On the outbreak of war with Germany in August 1914, steps were immediately taken for the defence of Nigeria and for offensive action against the neighbouring German colony of The Cameroons. The Nigeria Regiment and Police were mobilised and volunteers from the European community were enrolled as members of the Nigeria Marine Contingent and the Nigeria Land Contingent.

https://scontent-cdg2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/296384_10150454291007790_317926525_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=d5aeb9ce5d0839a7e26101d99663e91c&oe=591CFAEA
Colonial troops of the 1st Battalion, Nigerian Regiment, about to depart for action in German Kamerun (1914). 

An early advance into German territory along the Benue and Cross Rivers met with failure, our troops in the north being driven back from Garua, a strongly defended position and in the south being similarly overpowered by superior forces at Nsanakang, after inflicting very heavy losses on the Germans.

However, a large expedition under Brigadier-General (later General) Sir Charles Dobell compelled Duala, the chief town of the Cameroons, to surrender unconditionally on September 27th 1914. The expedition consisted of African troops from all the British West African Colonies and French African troops. It included two battalions and a battery of the Nigeria Regiment and a large number of civilians were attached as temporary officers and non-commissioned officers. Ships of The Royal Navy and of the Nigeria Marine co-operated with the troops. After the fall of Duala, General Dobells troops secured both lines of the railway, but the heavy rains prevented a further advance till the end of 1915.

Early in 1915 Colonel (later Brigadier-General) Cunliffe. Commandant of the Nigeria Regiment, who had taken over command of the troops on the Nigerian border, had invaded Garua. He was assisted by French troops from the Chad district by a naval gun, the moral effect of which so affected the native garrison that the German commander was compelled to surrender on June 10th, 1915.

Leaving a small force to watch the German garrison at Mora, an almost impregnable mountain position, General Cunliffe then marched south to Banyo, where a powerful German force had deliberately prepared a very strong position on an extended hill feature similar in many ways to Mora Mountain. Cement had been freely used in the construction of fortifications, there was an ample water supply and the Germans had announced their intention of holding out there till the end of the war.

General Cunliffe advanced on the position under cover of darkness and at daybreak became heavily engaged at close quarters. The attack was pressed for two days and nights, but on the third night, under the cover of a heavy tornado, the larger part of the Germans succeeded in making their escape from the hill. However, a considerable number remained and surrendered at daybreak the next day. General Cunliffe continued on his way south to effect a junction with General Dobell’s troops and a simultaneous advance was made by another column from the Cross River.

Towards the end of 1915, a general advance was made on Yaunde, the new German Headquarters.

General Cunliffe’s troops from the north, General Dobell’s from the west and French and Belgium troops from the south-east converging on the town left the Germans no option but to evacuate it and it was entered by our troops on January 1st. 1916. The German troops retired towards Spanish Guinea and in spite of a close pursuit, succeeded in escaping into neutral territory, where they were disarmed. Mora, the last stronghold of the Germans, capitulated on February 18th, 1916 and the conquest of the Cameroons was completed.

In November 1916, a contingent from the Nigeria Regiment proceeded to East Africa under the command of Brigadier-General Cunliffe. It consisted of nearly 200 British and over 3,000 African and later 330 British and 3,000 more Africans were sent to reinforce the contingent. In addition to this, about 4,000 carriers were recruited in Nigeria for service in East Africa and a number of men were also recruited for service with the inland water transport in Mesopotamia. The Nigerian troops took part in some of the severest fighting in East Africa and they suffered heavy casualties, but their gallantry in action and the uncomplaining way in which they bore the hardships of a particularly arduous campaign won for them the highest praise. Over 80 decorations were awarded to the British and about the same number to the African ranks.

The contingent returned to Nigeria in March 1918 and received an enthusiastic welcome. After the return of the contingent from East Africa, it was reorganised as a brigade for further service abroad and was about to proceed to Palestine when the armistice was signed. The brigade was then demobilised and the regiment reduced to its normal size. In recognition of its services during the Great War, His Late Majesty, King George V of Britain awarded Colours to the Regiment, bearing the following honours: Ashanti 1873-1874, Ashanti 1900, Behobeho, Nyangao, East Africa 1916-1918, Duala, Garua, Banyo and Cameroons 1914-1916.

On March 14th, 1928, His Late Majesty King George V approved that the title of the forces be changed to the Royal West African Frontier Force.

claremont:
High Commissions and embassies are funded by the countries that establish them, not their host countries. The British High Commission is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office headed by bumbling buffoon Boris Johnson, under Her Majesty's Government.

LexngtonSteele:
Great observation. I supported PMB...but no one has excelled in his cabinet, not even himself.

alezzy13:
how do you grade the performance of the foreign affairs minster?

LexngtonSteele:

Sentiments aside....very low-performing.

Surprised because he's so well educated

Maybe education to some extent is over rated.

Just like Kemi Adeosun, Pat Utomi with their fancy accents....seems like all they have is textbook knowledge; applying it to real-world scenarios na the problem.

fpeter:
make dem review UK Visa issues o

jrusky:
Please what is this man looking for in Nigeria? This man is one of the most useless politician and the most useless liar in history of European democracy so I don't know what he is looking for here. Anyway he and Theresa May missed it big time gone are those day British stealing all around the world if that was what he mean't by saying they are pulling out of EU to go global it's a joke, bloody thieves.

A man who has be in position of power all these while and has not contributed anything to the his country system, a bloody failure he only contributed whenever he get appointment if no appointment he is useless man. He has no serious known family, he owns no car talk less of paying road Tax, he lives in council house not even mortgage at least pay something back to gis country via tax in fact when I got a glimpse on his personal profile he is just nobody and contributed nothing unless he get appointment and the foolish British following him like a fool.

Anyway not may problem I don't celebrate failures if you contributed nothing to humanity I don't respect you as a matter of fact you are nobody that is my own way no one should bother to quote me because its nobody's problem but I have just spoke the truth.

newsynews:
Abuja Memorial.

The new British High Commission in Abuja has been officially opened. British Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama were in attendance to pay tribute to the memories of those who paid the ultimate price.

The statues were sculpted by James Stevenson under the pseudonym ‘Myrander’ and cast in 1931 by London foundry Morris-Singer.

Inscribed on the memorial are the names of those whose graves could not be maintained or located.


https://www.wotzup.ng/abuja-memorial-boris-johnson/
to

seguno2:
What has Buhari contributed to our country apart from almajiris that he refused to educate?
Why is owning a car important when he is the mayor of a town that has effective and efficient public transportation? Do you mind explaining? Thanks.

eleojo23:
I have a question.

Who funds the building of High commission offices in a country?
Is it the host country?

For instance in this case, is it Nigeria that funded the building expenses?

Orodje:
the second to the last pic though, soldier with Gucci belt
Slay army

centoke30:
who are u then?

IamaNigerianGuy:
Pat Utomi is an underachiever ? First time I'm hearing that.
Former deputy chairman of Bank PHB, Co-founder LBS, former adviser to Shehu Shagari, youngest ceo of Volkswagon Nigeria, author of numerous books etc etc He is an academic and business Titan. He cannot shine because Nigeria does not reward merit.

Wrt Onyeama I see him as a survivor taking cues from the body language of his boss; a high achiever cannot last long under a mediocre leader like Bubu. Same with other cabinet members.

LexngtonSteele:
Stop making excuses for him, Sir.

IamaNigerianGuy:
I have listed a fraction of his achievements.
Please list his failures and show me 10 Nigerians doing legitimate business and resident in Nigeria more accomplished than he is.

LexngtonSteele:
Check Governor Uduaghan's assessment of him (not sure about the spelling). That's my opinion of him in writing.

Pius Anyim was a Senate President at 39..
doesn't make him a genius. I won't take your challenge. ..there are millions sir.

jrusky:
A man who has be in position of power all these while and has not contributed anything to the his country system, a bloody failure he only contributed whenever he get appointment if no appointment he is useless man. He has no serious known family, he owns no car talk less of paying road Tax, he lives in council house not even mortgage at least pay something back to gis country via tax in fact when I got a glimpse on his personal profile he is just nobody and contributed nothing unless he get appointment and the foolish British following him like a fool.

paiz:
I heard he will be paying Nnamdi Kanu a visit before going back

Gerrard59:
That is not the right person to criticise Utomi. Let someone reputable and worthy do so. Even though Utomi supported this Buhari government, he is an educated and thoroughbred man.

There are millions but you can mention them? Then, you have lost the challenge.



Balderdash!

However, he (Boris) is a liar and talks too much.

zenmaster:
When will he come for Biafra memorial

timawoku:
Met with him once at Victoria close to prince William's wedding period when he was still London's mayor. ..such eccentric and energetic dude (so I had tut), he was throwing jabs at everyone in such a fast tongue he would easily outshine twista, all I did was give a large grin as he sat close to me in the restaurant that day, eventually walked up to him and he gave me a warm smile... nice dude I tell u

LexngtonSteele:
Check Governor Uduaghan's assessment of him (not sure about the spelling). That's my opinion of him in writing.

Pius Anyim was a Senate President at 39..
doesn't make him a genius. I won't take your challenge. ..there are millions sir.

IamaNigerianGuy:
Political positions are zoned. Pius Anyim had never achieved anything before that appointment and nothing since. Any dummy can be Senate president: just look at the failure occupying the position now.

Uduaghan is the worst governor in the history of Delta state so I am surprised he can criticize someone as incompetent and you can believe him. He ran down the third richest state in Nigeria and let with a debt of 600 billion naira.
Go and read the response of Prof Utomi to Dr Uduaghans ranting.
Lagos Business School alone is enough to assure his place in history..