POLITICAL HISTORY
BRITISH COLONISATION OF NIGERIAN TERRITORIES
By 1880, the British had been well established along the coast of West Africa and began to advance into the interior. With the abolition of slave trade in Britain in 1807, the trade in palm oil was encouraged to replace that in slaves. It was also hoped that it would supply Britain with raw materials for her growing industries. The discovery of the Niger by the Lander Brothers in 1830 opened the route to the interior for British trade. Since the mouth of Nigeria had been discovered, it was necessary to put the knowledge to commercial use. The British Naval supremacy on the coast opened up trade for the British.…
THE EVOLUTION OF THE NIGERIAN STATE
The Berlin Treaty There were two major events that served as the prelude to the conference where the treaty took place. Firstly, King Leopold was interested in the Congo Basin, and the second was the Germans’ acquisition of Colonies in West Africa. The above mentioned events sprang-up rivalry among the European nations for acquisition of territories in Africa. Major reasons for the treaty The Conference was held between November 1884 and February 1885. This was called by Germany and France in order to discuss the following issues: The freedom of commerce in Basin and Mouth of the River Congo. Freedom of navigation on the River Congo and Niger. Formalities…
THE IDOMA AND TIV
The Origin of the Idoma The Idoma are located in the Niger-Benue confluence. The Idoma ethnic group. comprises the Igede, Agatu and other ethnic groups around the Niger-Benue confluence. This is the area of Nok culture which is characterised by ironworks and terracotta works. The Idoma are close neighbours of the Tiv. Socio-political organisation of the Idoma Though the Idoma were united by language, they were not united into a single political state. In each land or clan, there was a hierarchy of elders who selected and advised the head chief. In a few places, state organisations emerged, extending beyond single clans. Tiv Political structure/institutions of the Tiv…
THE ORIGIN OF THE ITSEKIRI
The Itsekiri tradition traces them to the migration of Iginua from Benin during the reign of Oba Olua. Iginua was said to have met people who inhabited the area before he and his party moved in. These people were called Umale. Besides, there were some Urhobo and Ijo elements settled in the neighbourhood. The incorporation of Ijo, Urhobo, Benin and Yoruba cultures suggests that apart for earlier groups, the Itsekiri had strong connections with the Yoruba to the West. The Itsekiri language is similar to Yoruba. The Itsekiri evolved a centralised system of government. The capital of the Itsekiri kingdom was refered to as Ode-Itsekiri with adjoining settlement similar to…
THE NIGER DELTA
The Niger Delta can be divided into sections; these are the Western Delta and the Eastern Delta. The Western Delta The groups within the Western Delta include the Ijo, Itsekiri and Aboh who dwell in the lower Delta and the Isoko, Urhobo and Ukwani who live in the upper Delta. Both sections had different vegetations; the upper Delta was characterised by evergreen forest dominated by the oil palm while the lower was located within the dense mangrove. Vegetation determined the occupation of both sections: thus, the upper Delta groups were engaged mainly in farming and fishing on one side, while those of the lower were engaged in fishing and salt…
