History Lesson 101 - Lugard And Colonial Nigeria

[Robot]

This original article, titled “Lugard And Colonial Nigeria – Towards An Identity?” was written by the great historian, Michael Crowder – History Today, February 1986, Vol. 36, pp 23 – 29....Read the full article. (http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11116)

[forshow3]

first of all that picture before 1914 was wrong, here is the correct picture. please note, some part of the present day bayelsa state was in the western region.......
lagos was never part of western region.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/4145/map8ho1.jpg

even the idea of delta state was initially made by chief obafemi awolowo to have all ijaw in one state.

[Babatoks]

Thanks for the correction, although it should not be directed at me, since that was how Michael Crowther presented it, and I was merely reproducing the article. I have also seen other pre-1914 maps of Nigeria, and I must say it is now news to me that some parts of present day Bayelsa was part of the old Western Protectorate. This however is quite possible, at least as far as the British were concerned, but after independence, Western Region was a different entity, and I doubt whether it included present day Bayelsa. Certainly it included present day Edo and Delta States, before thi=ose ones later became the Mid-West.

[Austin]

Thanks Dr., it is very refreshing to read those historical facts. As I continue to read though, two issues/question relentlessly continued to bug me. And these are
a. What is the 'identity' of the historian? And
b. What is the implication of all these to 'us', Nigerians, today?

Luckily, the answer to the first question is included in the article. The author is British born, seconded to Nigeria first with regards to his national service and later as a part of his career progression. This is important because it gives an inmdication as to why the PEOPLE AND INDIGINES of Nigeria, whose lives, livelihood and political futures are concerned are treated to as aliens, and (largely) referred to in 3rd persons - as if they were not there. This is interesting as well as illuminating.

The implication of all these to these Nigerians (we, that is) is clear to everybody, except those blind, deaf and dumb all at the same time. The amalgamation and subsequently Nigeria, they so much desire is what it is today. And whatever that means let everybody do the figuring out for themselves.

What I just can't help but wonder about though, is what could have become of us a people if the amalgamation had not taken place? Why were they so hell bent on the amalgamation and completely blind to letting the people be as they originally were?

And I guess the biggest question is, where do we go from here? Go back to paradise lost or continue pursuing paradise dreamt? Pity.

[charles4u]

And I guess the biggest question is, where do we go from here? Go back to paradise lost or continue pursuing paradise dreamt? Pity.

Good question my friend which I guess should be the main issue, I can say the anwser to be "follow the footsteps we've being given". :sad:

We have made alot mistakes in the past and as they say "bygone is bygone" but how come we have also failed to make corrections ?

[Dr Olayiwola Ajileye]

Mr Toks, welldone for another hsitorical peice, very detailed and informative. I bet i will pas an A' level History by reading this alone. keep it coming, bring it on!:rolleyes:
NVS should archive this as a refrence for those stuggling History undergraduates.