But whatever they claim and say about themselves, Frank Gaffney President of the American Centre for Security Policy refers to the OIC as “a multi-national Muslim Mafia.”
The recent killing of a Briton and an Italian by Alqaeda-Nigeria...the shame of a nation Picture source: The Telegraph
Evidence of ‘Sharia Creep’ in Nigeria:
- Nigeria having joined the OIC, the next move will be to drag her into the League of Arab Nations, as most Muslim North’s allegiance is not to Nigeria, but to Islam and the Arab nations in accordance with the principles of the Muslim Ummah. The current alliances with Saudi Arabia and the Arab nations which saw Nigeria’s former President Umaru Yar’Adua going to Saudi Arabia for treatment with the King of Saudi footing his bills speak for themselves. Saudi Arabia and UAE are where the thieves who constitute the Oligarchic North now splash their stolen money, buying/building skyscrapers including having their dodgy businesses there.
- Women will be dictated to as to what and what not to wear. At job interviews, some people will lose jobs because they do not ‘dress properly’, i.e., not dressing the Islamic way or value. Some, especially women will be turned back from public offices because the way they dress is offensive to Islam.
- Baba Kano and Alqaeda agent Sanusi’s Lamido Sanusi’s so-called Islamic Development Bank which has just commenced operations in Nigeria has come with all the evil forces of Sharia to torment Nigeria and destroy the Central Bank of Nigeria. Before the IDB had gained confidence to berth in Nigeria, unknown to many a Nigerian, especially the Christians, it had been surreptitiously financing projects in all parts of Nigeria to demonstrate its supposedly ‘good mission.’ But the overall aim is to Islamise Nigeria in all ways and manners. The Darkness and Backwardness which Nigeria has been courting for years have finally arrived to shrink the Nigerian Liberty and Advancement spaces...that which a country soweth, it shall reap. With the OIC and IDB now fiercely competing for the soul of Nigeria, these are what await secular Nigeria: economic ‘desertification’, religious ‘desertification’, social ‘desertification’, cultural ‘desertification’, educational ‘desertification’, technological ‘desertification.’
- Nigeria’s joining of the so-called D8 nations (Developing countries) in 2007 under Yar’Adua. The D8 is wholly Islamic nations, so what has secular Nigeria got to do with these Islamic nations?
- The D8 Conference in July in Abuja in 2010 under Umaru Yar’Adua...Sharia has gained control of the Nigerian soul as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Ha! Ha!
- Monster Gadafi speaking for the Arab world while alive said Nigeria should be broken up along religious lines. If for a long time the Arabs cannot control Nigeria, they are poised to make a Somalia of Nigeria for effective pacification and control!
- Rogue Bankole had been a beneficiary by becoming the first Speaker of the House of Representatives of secular Nigeria to become the President of the Afro-Arab Parliament in 2009.
- Delusionary attempt will be made to Islamise the whole of Nigeria. This vision has been there since the days of the Sardauna of Sokoto Sir Ahmadu Bello in the early days of Nigeria’s independence. He was reputed to have thrown copies of the Koran into the River Niger for the purpose. “Tall dream!”,a true Nigerian would say.
- Muslim girls in Nigerian schools, colleges and the universities will be forced to wear hijab/Niqab
- Meeting of some Arab nations in Nigeria: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, during the time of Abacha.
- Meeting of Arab nations in Nigeria during the time of Yar’ Adua
- Boko Haram’s activities in Nigeria with many other sects soon to emerge, more brutal and gruesome than any other earlier sects- Maitasine, El-Zaky Zaky
- Designing of public buildings/spaces to conform to Islamic/Arabic architecture- The so-called National Assembly for example, Arabic writing on the nation’s currency, etc. The Gamji vision is not sudden, but gradual!
- Parents hold tight unto your under-aged girls as many Yerimas will break loose and prey on your under-aged children as such paedophilia act is deemed Sharia-compliant!
- Arabic Studies at the so-called Nigerian Defence Academy which we would like to refer to here as the Northern Defence Academy to the exclusion of Christian Religious Studies or Judaea-Christian Studies
- Truth is. So long as Nigeria remains a member of the OIC, violence, endless killing, bombings, cutting of throats, limbs, beheading, slicing of tongues, etc to gain Aljanah and surrounded by many virgins in the other world will be a permanent feature of its polity.
- Whatever has happened to the peace of Jos courtesy of IBB creating Jos North Local Government Council without consultation? The peace that has escaped Jos courtesy of the jihadists’ exploits will be replicated in many cities in Nigeria until Somalia comes!
- What Nigeria is losing already with its romance with medieval values:
- Foreign investors have been avoiding Nigeria like a plague
- FIFA couldn’t deign to consider Nigeria to host the World Cup in 2010, instead South Africa was the obvious choice.
- Obama avoided Nigeria like a plague
- The Queen of England too in her Diamond Jubilee choice of nations to send her delegations /‘royal ambassadors’ chose to avoid Nigeria like a plague, instead she chose South Africa, Ghana and Uganda!
- Nigeria has lost her erstwhile leadership role in Africa to South Africa, whose independence she was a leading voice on the continent and in the world. Shouldn’t we then say, “Shame on all who have contributed to bringing her so low!”
- Hang on a minute: Are the Hausa-Fulani Muslims of Nigeria born to murder their compatriots?
- Sincerely speaking, is Nigeria supposed to look up to progressive nations or ultra-retrogressive nations with medieval values and ways of life. Are there peace, free speech and genuine progress in all of the Arab nations that some very stupid Nigerians have been collecting money from to destabilise their country in the name of Muslim Ummah? Show me an Arab nation that is not currently at war/conflict/strife with itself or with their immediate neighbours? Before the chance encounter of the Caucasians with the Blacks, Arabs had been trying to colonise and Islamise the people of the Dark-skinned race and having failed they embarked on wars with the Blacks in and around the Nile, all the areas in and around modern Egypt including its surrounding neighbours in the whole of North Africa of today, so that Black history and its technologies have been appropriated as Arabs’. This explains the presence of people with Arab roots in the whole of North Africa. The Arabs are back with their cunnings again and Africans are again drinking slowly from their poison chalice and stupid Africans are again sipping this poison gradually, the outcome of this folly is the destabilization and subsequent Islamization of the continent. Our message to all the agents of Alqaeda in Northern Nigeria who can be found in palaces, in Governments, in the Armed Forces, the police, etc is that they can only be emirs/sultan/sadauna in Nigeria; they can only be spiritual leaders of Muslims ONLY in Nigeria; they can only be Generals only in Nigeria; they can only be Inspectors General of Police in Nigeria; they can only be governors, senators, legislators, local government chairpersons ONLY in Nigeria and not in any of the Arab nations! The calculation of the Arab jihadists over the years is that once, they are able to decapitate Africa’s head, Nigeria, it will be very, very, very easy for them to run down other African nations. Despite the much trumpeted Muslim brotherhood, to the Arab, an Ameed is an Ameed (a slave is a slave). This is how your average Arab sees every person of African ancestry. Wise people copy ONLY what is positive, progressive and good. If there is ever a Government in Nigeria, all Nigerians of Northern extraction collecting money from the Arab nations to maim, destroy and kill their compatriots should have been investigated and sent to jail long, long ago. All these people are in Government as ministers, past and those still serving, governors, past and present, senators and legislators, past and present, directors-general, past and present, etc.
- Why has there never been any modicum of peace in the Arab world: (ANSWER: “And he will be a violent man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him...” Genesis 16: 12).
- Was the U.S. right then in declaring Nigeria a rogue/terrorist State: Yes! Again and again we say yes. Will it happen again? Yes, it will, very, very soon! In fact, from our Crystal Glass, there will be a deadlock in 2015, but those who steer the buffeting ship of State have to thread softly, softly in order not to hit the rock on the high sea. And what is certain is that echoes of owls hooting could be heard from afar with vultures about to perch atop the Ship of State. In the circumstance, many a passenger are screaming and begging the Captain to stop in the mid sea for them to disembark, some wanting to jump onto the sea, but they will do well to maintain their position. The in-fighting is in fact on the choice of the new Captain, because from where he comes matters to the passengers. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.
Doing the first thing first in tackling the shameful and embarrassing menace of Islamism in Nigeria:
Receiving President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Senator David Mark, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III, HRH Ado Bayero, all Nigerians, North and South, you ALL have from now to end of April to get Nigeria out of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation!
This blood- letting of innocent Nigerians and our friends from other lands MUST stop! It is not our way to steal, maim and destroy. It is not the African way to steal, exploit, cheat and plunder other people’s resources; it is not the African way to kill each other; it is not the African way not to show universal altruism to all in and around them; it is not the African way to hurt, kill strangers in our midst because strangers/visitors/guests in African cosmos are entrusted to us by God, so must be protected.
All these inherited strange habits which Africans had embraced from strangers from the Middle East and the West MUST now be discarded. Repeat, all these inherited strange habits which Africans had embraced from strangers from the East and the West MUST now be discarded. It’s now time for all Africans to de-Arabnise their minds, it is now time for all Africans to decolonise their psyche; Oh! It is now time for all Africans to demilitarise their minds. Oh! It is now time for young African to think, think, think and occupy their minds with serious things. According to the motto of my Alma Mater, Aladura Comprehensive High School, Anthony Village, Lagos: A SOUND MIND IS ONLY TO BE FOUND IN A SOUND BODY! So those who kill their compatriots are not only sick, but they are beasts in our midst and they need help from all who still have their sanity intact!
What young persons of African ancestry all over the world MUST know is that there is a grand conspiracy against our race from the East and from the West as it had been in the past when our ancestors fell prey to the Arab invaders who not only enslaved them, but displaced them from the Nile, the Egypt and the entire North Africa of today. Contrary to all the history books around in modern times which young Africans are made to memorise to show their intellectual ability, the Arab Egypt of today were not the original settlers, but Dark-skinned Africans! And I am here challenging any Anthropologist/ international scholars who hold the contrary views to a public debate. What our young ones who have been brain-washed, the likes of Mutallab all over Africa MUST know is that while they are going about killing their people, maiming them and destroying properties, countries in the core Arab world-UAE, particularly are developing at jet speed using their oil wealth to attract investments to the Middle East, whereas young people in the peripheral Arab nations are going about killing their people and destroying their OWN countries and traditional African brotherhood which had been the basis of our peaceful co-existence before these strangers from “far-flung” lands came stealthily “to put a string on the things that held us together,” hence “we can no longer act like one.” Apologies to Professor Chinua Achebe.
So foolish young Africans, foolish young Africans of African ancestry, the next time any foolish sheikh from the Middle East approach you, give you money to strap bombs and bullets all over your body, just tell them to go away with their filthy lucre and if they are serious about jihad let them bring their children out to strap bombs and bullets and then explode them on their people in the Gulf States. Thou foolish African young, the next time any foolish African jihadist politician who had collected filthy lucre from the East in the name of Muslim Ummah Wahida, just kick them out of your sight, report such fools to the relevant authorities in your country, so they can be publicly named, shamed and prosecuted.
O’ foolish young Africans, think! Think! Think! When they entice you with their filthy lucre, remember Somalia, when they come with their filthy lucre in the name of global jihad; remember the destabilization and destruction of Sudan before Southern Sudan got independence; when they come to you to go on a murderous mission which they often deceive you such bloody enterprise will win you Aljanah and virgins, tell them all faiths in the world abhor killing for whatever reason, so no killing is justified. The message of God to all humanity still remains: THOU SHALL NOT KILL! When they come to you to go and maim, kill and destroy in the name of Allah, remember Darfur; O’ young persons of African ancestry, this was what they did in the name of Muslim Ummah and took away Egypt from us; this was how they used the phrase “Muslim Ummah” and took away our Pharaohs from us, chopped off their flat noses and in some cases remade their noses to be pointed in order to deny their authentic African origin as you can find now at the British Museum!
Ironically, whilst the genocide in Darfur (now Southern Sudan) and Somalia had been going on and is still going on, not a voice from the Muslim world to the best of our knowledge rose to condemn the genocide in any way because to them so long as it concerns the so-called Ameed (slaves), such killing is proper in order to entrench Islam/Sharia through such mindless ethnic cleansing! But these Arab nations are currently having sleepless nights over Syria. Can you see the double-standard we are talking about? So those Nigerians and Africans who want to destroy Nigeria and Africa can relocate to any of the Arab nations and let the country and the continent be. It is not compulsory they should glue themselves to either Nigeria or Africa as a whole. Think, young Africans, think!
Therefore, this editorial is not ONLY for Nigeria, but a wakeup call to all persons of African ancestry and their leaders across the world that tsunami-like forces of Islam is making a comeback to the continent as it had done in the past and the destabilization and destruction this time will be worse than the former as can be seen today in terrorists activities in some parts of Africa, Nigeria (Boko Haram), Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia to mention but a few. To other African nations, the question is not will it ever happen in your country (?), but it is when as the raging forces of terrorism is fast on their way to all African nations. To this end, we say a word is not only enough for the wise, but to be forewarned is to be forearmed. The forces of Islam, Christianity, colonialism, Arabism, neo-colonialism, militarism have combined to make Africans lose their identity and heritage. Lamenting this in his book: The Destruction of Black Civilization: Great Issues of a Race From 4500 BC-2000 AD, Professor Chancellor Williams said: “There can be no real identity with our heritage until we know what our heritage really is. It is all hidden in our history, but we are ignorant of that history. We have been floating alone, basking blissfully in the sunny heritage of other people.” To this end I say I’m a Nigerian flesh and blood, a citizen of no mean country. And I make no apologies for being an African, nor do I owe any one any apology. Till date, African origin of civilization remains indisputable, hence persons of African ancestry were the pioneers in the sciences, medicine architecture, writing and were in fact, the first to use stones to build.
The tendency of young persons of African ancestry worldwide towards violence and general blood-letting, knifing and killing of each other, involvement in terrorists activities is first and foremost traceable to this crisis of identity and ignorance of that heritage fuelled by the current global ontological disequilibrium, watered and nurtured by greedy politicians amongst us.
We have no doubt in our mind that you all love Nigeria sufficiently above private faiths and blind allegiance to such to the detriment of the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria, hence some of you risked your lives whilst in the prime of your lives in the 30-month Civil War to ensure Nigeria remains one: One people, one nation with a common vision and destiny.
It is therefore hoped that the flame of that patriotism is still burning in all of you and you will all work together as ONE, not as North and South, but as ONE; not as Arewa, Ohaneze, Afenifere or Egbesu, but as one people to at all times act in the best interest of our country in all that you in your little corners think, do and say, in this case, respect the secular nature of the nation’s polity..a duty which you all as noble patriots owe posterity and Nigerian citizens alive and dead, at home and in the Diaspora to get Nigeria out of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation.
O’ Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, this challenge before you will in the eyes of the world be a test of your commitment to fatherland, whether in your heart of hearts it is country first or inherited foreign religion; O’ Namadi Sambo, this challenge before you will in the eyes of the world be a test of your commitment to fatherland, whether in your heart of hearts it is country first or inherited foreign religion; O’ David Mark, this challenge before you will in the eyes of the world be a test of your commitment to fatherland, whether in your heart of hearts it is country first or inherited foreign religion; O’Aminu Tambuwal, this challenge before you will in the eyes of the world be a test of your commitment to fatherland, whether in your heart of hearts it is country first or inherited foreign religion; O’ Ayo Oritsejafor, this challenge before you will in the eyes of the world be a test of your commitment to fatherland, whether in your heart of hearts it is country first or inherited foreign religion; O’ Sultan of Sokoto, tears are welling out of our eyes, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello are crying from their graves, the Great Nnamdi Azikiwe sleeps no more, tears are cascading down his cheeks, the great philosopher and sage Obafemi Awolowo is asking from the grave: “Children what have you done to the BEAUTIFUL country?” O’ Ado Bayero, compassionate Amino Kano has his hands placed on his cheeks weeping because the lot of the talakawas in your midst has worsened beyond the time he began contending for their liberty and that of Nigeria as soon as he had returned from studies in the UK, O’ Bayero, this challenge before you will in the eyes of the world be a test of your commitment to fatherland, whether in your heart of hearts it is country first or inherited foreign religion; O’ Nigerians, noble compatriots; this challenge before you will in the eyes of the world be a test of your commitment to fatherland, whether in your heart of hearts it is country first or inherited foreign religion; O’ compatriots, the chief priest of politics without bitterness, Waziri Ibrahim is weeping inconsolably, Sir Ahmadu Bello is in tears as well as S. L. Akintola; Michael Okpara, Dennis Osadebe; fire brand Margaret Ekpo, Hajia Gambo Sawaba, Fumi Ransome Kuti; Alvan Ikoku, philosopher Mokwugo Okoye; Great teacher of all time Tai Solarin; Dim Ojukwu in a pensive mood is lost for words; Festus Okotie- Eboh has a stick in his hand drawing lines to represent the number of years Nigeria got her independence, and not satisfied that over 100 million citizens in oil-rich Nigeria live on less than a dollar a day; Kaduna Nzeogwu is weeping rolling on the floor; Ironsi in unparalleled lamentation has his head put in between his knees; Gani Fawehinmi is bemoaning the betrayal of activists who have left the streets, dropped their pens to go and chop amala in high places; Beko Ransome Kuti is restless pacing up and down and taking prolonged hiss; Sam Okwaraji is lamenting the absurdity into which the Nigerian sports, particularly football has been reduced; Ayodele Awojobi has ashes robbed all over his body asking WHAT DID NIGERIA DO WITH ALL THE INVENTIONS I LEFT THEM WITH? He is saddened that Indians who were in Nigeria in the 70s and 80s looking for food and work are now shooting deep into the kingdom of the gods to annex it, he is the more saddened to learn that the Chinese have taken over the world whilst Nigeria who showed more signs of promise in the 60s and 70s is now exporting terrorism to other nations of the world as her only export ‘commodity’. K.O. Mbadiwe is lamenting the invasion of Nigerian public spaces by men and women of straw, and lamenting still the dearth of men and women of timber and calibre! Only, repeat, only Fela Anikulapo-Kuti had the courage to be singing: “Officer wetin you go hear (?)...tara rara...Pope dey for Rome tara..Imamu dey for Mecca tara...Imamu na gbaladu...Arch Bishop sef dey enjoy.” With his guitar strapped across his shoulder jumping in his trade mark posturing with one of his hands up, he changed to Shakara Oloje, moved to E done hit my car...oyibo repete, to Zombie way na one way...ajoro ja ajoro, zombie way na one way...ajoro ja ajorooooo! And then the de Baba de Baba and Mother of ALL songs: Beast of No Nation (BON)...Animal won give me human rights and hitting the nail on the with INTERNATIONAL THIEF-THIEF, INTERNATIONAL...ITT...INTERNATIONAL THIEF-THIEF pitching this very song in the highest thinkable decibel, while these patriots all with one voice cry out: GET NIGERIA OUT OF OIC!
Nigeria’s romance with OIC began in 1969 when Gowon who has now lost his pride of place as the FATHER OF OUR UNION by deciding to play Esau reducing himself to a mere fly on the nation’s political chess board by keeping company with all the tribalists and divisive elements in the Arewa Consultative Forum and even once acting as its Chairman of the Board of Patrons. Shame on you Gowon! That’s the father of our union struggling for a space with arch-tribalists. This our Abraham Lincoln does not know himself. Now, Gowon, will you walk to that dressing mirror in your room, look at yourself reflectively in the mirror and start tracing your steps to lead the nation once more, not coming back to active politics, but acting as a guide?
David Mark, are all these ethnic Associations together with all the foolish fora formed by the Foolish Citizens of Nigeria (FCN) registered? Who is that idiot that registered them? Corporate Affairs Commission? Oh! So Federal institutions whose officials are paid by the nation’s taxpayers have teamed up with jihadists and arch-tribalists to divide Nigeria, thus making the labour of heroes past to be in vain? If all these ethnic associations are not registered, why have you and your Locusts Assembly (LA) allowed illegal associations to put a sword on the string that holds us together that we can no longer act like one? Apologies to Prophet Chinua Achebe. Shame on all the former Federal Officers who having squandered their little corners feeding fat on national commons, in most cases free of charge at the expense of the hardworking people of Nigeria, having been educated in the finest universities in the world, with some of them all expenses paid whilst at the NDA, Sandhurst, Pakistani Military Academy and other Military Academies all over the world, ingrates! Can all true citizens of Nigeria join me to name them one by one and shame them with their names sent to the National Hall of Infamy? Vultures and pigs, vampire bats, drones and idiots, parasites and jiga, salamander and wolves, their ONLY thank you to OUR Nigeria is to regress into ETHNIC ASSOCIATIONS as is characteristic of Nigerians called, not to serve, but to CHOP, gluttonous elements, worms and excreta of the Federation is to join ethnic associations, start heating up the polity by indulging in political tackling and vilification of any Government in Power (AGIP), arm-twisting and ambushing the Government of the day and accusing them of ethnic cleansing, whilst they retreat to their ethnic enclaves to bring out their thugs they had kept as cannon fodders over the years while sending their children, wards to Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, City to be educated at the expense of the toiling masses, to maim, destroy and kill! Hence forth, may all wealth they have gathered in the past and currently gathering be permanently cursed? As they gather illegally at the expense of the toiling masses of Nigeria without sweating for it all in the name of sharing national cake, and lately Amala, may all these be cursed permanently and forever? Amen! Amen! As they gather illegally using their privileged positions without thinking of the people they are meant to serve, may locusts, caterpillars, cankerworms and palmerworms eat up all they have over the years gathered illegally at the expense of the toiling masses of Nigeria.
So what really is the OIC?
But whatever they claim and say about themselves, FranK Gaffney President of the American Centre for Security Policy refers to them as “a multi-national Muslim Mafia.” Secular Nigerian State’s romance with the OIC began in 1969 when General Yakubu Gowon, a Christian sent a delegation of observers led by Alhaji Abubakar Gumi to the Morocco meet. Will Nigeria’s lawmakers not invite Gowon for questioning so as to know how he came about the idea of sending a delegation of observers to the Islamic meet? David Mark and Tambuwal, you must invite Gowon to ask him a few questions as this will begin to shed light on the genesis of the activities of Boko Haram and their sponsors, both within and without. Did Gowon act alone? We do not think so. Did he initiate the idea of making a representation to the OIC summit, even though they went as observers? Those who pushed Gowon into it should be named and shamed. Throughout the 70s till 1985, Nigeria avoided the OIC like a plague until trouble-courting Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida secretly smuggled Nigeria into joining the Islamic Organisation in 1986 without consulting anyone, not even his then second- in- command, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe. The quarrel that erupted between coward Babangida after the cat was let out of the bag by a French News agency led Ukiwe out of service. Now that the sword of Damocles dangles over the head of Nigeria, courtesy of the murderous activities of BoKo Haram, the Apex Legislative Assembly in Nigeria will do well to summon IBB too for questioning. This will help the nation look at itself in the National Crystal Glass and put one and two together to see if it will make any sense. The issue of whether or not Nigeria is a member of the OIC has been kept from Nigerians since 1986, hence Minister of Foreign after Minister of Foreign Affairs has continued to lie that Nigeria maintains observer status at the OIC. But truth is that Nigeria has been a registered member of the OIC since 1986! In April 11, 2009, Nigeria surreptitiously renewed its membership of the OIC with the secret visit of the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Abdullahi M. Garba Aminchi, to Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) and signed the new OIC charter on behalf of the Nigerian Government. By signing the Charter, Nigeria is expected to promote Islamic values in ALL her national life and such values are already promoted as in Sharia, Islamic Bank and Islamization of the country! And Boko Haram has already been canvassing for that and declaring that ALL Western values including Western education is sinful, so any one who embraced these values is a Kafir who must be punished the Islamic way! Nigerians: If you play with fire, fire will surely burn you just as in Boko Haram, that fire is already consuming Nigeria intractably. Funny enough, when Nigeria renewed its membership in 2009, it was celebrated and published on OIC's website the same day and widely reported in other Middle East media, but no Nigerian media reported it. Perhaps, Brown Envelope journalism has higher news ranking for the Nigerian journalists than the OIC dragon which is already setting Nigeria ablaze! The nation’s Law Makers MUST also seek to know the outcome of the John Shagaya Panel on the OIC set up in 1987 to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of Nigeria’s membership of the OIC, which later recommended the deregistration of Nigeria from the OIC based on its findings by inviting the now Senator John Nanzip Shagaya for questioning. Lest we forget, until very recently, the URL of the OIC was conspicuously linked to the website of Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry until Vigilance wrote an editorial asking that the URL of the OIC be delinked from the Ministry’s website. As we would very much love to record this misadventure in Nigeria’s chequered history into the OIC, we would like all those behind this obloquy be punished and we would want to know how much of taxpayers’ money has been committed to the OIC since 1986. Nigerians can continue to deceive themselves that the country is a secular State, but truth is that Nigeria as a registered member of the Islamic Organisation is automatically an Islamic country! The wise advises all persons and nations who act stupidly as IBB has done in registering Nigeria with the Islamic Organisation not to trouble trouble until trouble troubles them. But since Nigeria through IBB has troubled trouble, trouble courtesy of Boko Haram and Alqaeda-Nigeria will continue to trouble Nigeria and Nigerians. The most embarrassing aspect of it all is that the terrorists in Nigeria have begun taking foreigners hostage and subsequently killing them as the case of a British and an Italian nationals Mr Chris McManus (a Briton) and Mr Franco Lamolimara (Italian) two weeks ago. They who bring ants-infested faggots home must surely be visited by ants. As soon as Nigerians have read this editorial they should take to the streets, go to the National Assembly, the Presidency, States Houses of Assembly with ALL Nigerian students in schools, colleges and the universities to protest Nigeria’s membership of the OIC as the evil people who have registered Nigeria with this “multi-national Muslim mafia organisation” has one sole aim of Islamising everyone in Nigeria! We would like to warn that after Nigeria has been deregistered from the OIC, it should always be borne in mind that the volatile, high voltage and highly inflammable nature of the Nigerian polity does not allow such misadventure and stupidity any more. Hence we hereby warn against any monkey trick of wanting to maintain observer status after Nigeria has been deregistered from the OIC which MUST be before end of April 2012 with her financial contributions to the OIC and such other contributions made public. Mr Babangida the renowned international coward should bury his head in shame for being so cowardly! We suggest IBB be stripped of his generalship together with the national honour of GCFR which he had dashed himself while in office and his name be listed in the National Hall of Shame which we had suggested its establishment in our earlier editorial. NIGERIANS BEWARE OF SHARIA CREEP! Enter again, Fela: At this juncture, the moderator then on behalf of the founding fathers of Nigeria welcomed Abami eda to the stage to render his closing song, and of course, he went for the song he had just composed entitled: Speaking in Tongues. Aba mi eda: (gyrating from one end of the stage to another with his guitar strapped to the shoulder and his microphone lifted up, while taking regal steps bowed to the former elders of Nigeria, and blurted in paroxysm!): Shankara shankara babababbaba yeh! Rocco kokokokkkoko! Ratattaratatataaaaata They done finish Nigeria They done kill Nigeria Which kind people be dis-ooooooooooooooo Wey no dey speak with one voice after 51 years of nyama, nyama independence? They be tongue speaking, House of Nigeria be tongue speaking people, Jogo jogo, jaga,jaga...speaking in tongues, Jonathan nko...speaking in tongues Sambo nko...speaking in tongues David Mark nko...speaking in tongues Tambuwal nko...speaking in tongues Rombo shakara, taratare rocco koko Pius Ayim nko...speaking in tongues Obasanjo nko...speaking in tongues Atiku Abubakar,political tackling specialist...speaking in tongues Abdulsami nko...silent sentinel! Which kind pangolo Peace Institute you get wey no fit make peace-o-o-o-o? I beg which kind statesman dey keep quiet wey him country dey burn-oooooo? Na sue gbe, na pakoooooooooo! Jogo jogo, jaga, jaga Roboboboboboboboboyeh Roboboboboboboboboyeh IBB nko...speaking in tongues Buhari nko...speaking in tongues Shagari nko...silent sentinel Which kind Elder statesman be disooooooooooooooo? Gowon nko....silent sentinel Thinking he had left out one person in the group of Nigeria’s living elders, the crowd cried out: Shonekan! Shonekan! Shonekan nko? Aba mi eda grimaced and positioned himself as if he was gathering much energy Started singing again: Every gad dem Head of state Every gad dem veteran...speaking in tongues! Ratatatatatatatatata, roboboboboboboboboyeh! Afenifere nko...speaking in tongues! Arewa nko....speaking in tongues Ohaneze Ndigbo nko....speaking in tongues! Jogo jogo, jaga ja, left right, left, right, left Jogo jogo, jaga, jaga, left, right, left, right BRACED nko...speaking in tongues! Patito and his new gang nko...speaking in tongues! O’ National summit Group nko...speaking in tongues! Egbesu Boys nko...speaking in tongues O’ MEND nko...speaking tongues! O’ OPC nko...speaking in tongues! Sankarabababababaaaaaaaaaa...speaking in tongues! MASSOB nko...speaking in tongues! Arewa Citizens Action for Change nko...speaking in tongues! Afenifere Renewal Group nko..speaking in tongues! Dem royal fathers nko...always asking for role when country dey burn Wetin dis royal fathers good for-oooo(?)...Dem only good for bin Intellectuals nko...Dem be Come Chop intellectuals Dr Robert Amala nko...Na so-so amala e dey find for him belly Rababababababba...speaking in tongues! Intellectual wey no get principles nko...na sue gbe, na sue gbe, na pako-o-o-o Intellectual Amajiris...More Blessings, Sir...O-r-d-e-r! Tell them to form Think Tanks...ajoro jajoro Tell dem to stop speaking in tongues...ajoro jajorooooo! Intellectual wetin you go hear? Which kind organisation be dis-o...na organisation for international criminals. As Abami eda descended the stage the Great Zik was called to give the closing remark: “Gentle men and women on the other side of the divide, softly, softly and don’t give up on Nigeria. If you ever want progress for yourselves, get out of the OIC and let peace be. We left you a beautiful country, no doubt; hence you MUST ensure that the House of Nigeria does not fall. If you cannot make Nigeria better, for God’s sake, strive for a better Nigeria. For a broken bottle has no mekwatalism. United we stand, divided, we fall.” As we made our way back to the terrestrial realm of being, we could hear the receding voice of Abami eda reverberating throughout the ever expanding world of the Spirits: Toyota Senators...catch dem, catch dem they be thieves, Jogo, jogo, jaga, jaga...catch dem, catch dem, they be thieves, Toyota Legislators...catch dem, catch dem , they be thieves, Toyota Camry today, Toyota Prados tomorrow...catch dem, catch dem, they be thieves. Jogo jogo, jaga, jaga, left, right, left, Jogo jogo, jaga jaga, left right, left, David Mark nko..catcham, catcham ebe thief, Tambuwal nko...catcham, catcham, ebe thief, N9 million Toyota Camry yesterday, N16 million Toyota Prados today When 110 million Nigerians dey live on less than $1 per day...which kind oil nation be dis-o? Senators...elected to serve themselves (audience comprising Spirits echoing it) Catch dem catch dem, they be thieves (audience comprising Spirits echoing it) Legislators, Governors, Chairpersons, etc...elected to serve themselves (audience comprising Spirits echoing it). Catch dem, catch dem, they be thieves Jonathan nko...International Thief-thief Patience...International thief-thief Jogo jogo, jaga, jaga...International thief-thief. Left, right, left, right...INTERNATIONAL THIEF-THIEF-ooooooooooooooo! OIC Charter In the name of Allah, the most Compassionate, the most Merciful to acknowledge the Conference of Kings, Heads of State and Government of the Member States convened in Rabat from 9 to 12 Rajab, 1389 H, corresponding to 22 to 25 September 1969, as well as the Conference of to be guided by the noble Islamic values of unity and fraternity, and affirming the essentiality of promoting and consolidating the unity and solidarity among the Member States in securing their common interests at the international arena; to adhere our commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter, the present Charter and International Law; to preserve and promote the lofty Islamic values of peace, compassion, tolerance, equality, justice and human dignity; to endeavour to work for revitalizing Islam’s pioneering role in the world while ensuring sustainable development, progress and prosperity for the peoples of Member States; to enhance and strengthen the bond of unity and solidarity among the Muslim peoples and Member States; to contribute to international peace and security, understanding and dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions and promote and encourage friendly relations and good neighbourliness, mutual respect and cooperation; to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms, good governance, rule of law, democracy and accountability in Member States in accordance with their constitutional and legal systems; to promote confidence and encourage friendly relations, mutual respect and cooperation between Member States and other States; to foster noble Islamic values concerning moderation, tolerance, respect for diversity, preservation of Islamic symbols and common heritage and to defend the universality of Islamic religion; to advance the acquisition and popularization of knowledge in consonance with the lofty ideals of Islam to achieve intellectual excellence; to promote cooperation among Member States to achieve sustained socioeconomic development for effective integration in the global economy, in conformity with the principles of partnership and equality; to preserve and promote all aspects related to environment for present and future generations; to respect the right of self-determination and non-interference in the domestic affairs and to respect sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each Member State; to support the struggle of the Palestinian people, who are presently under foreign occupation, and to empower them to attain their inalienable rights, including the right to self-determination, and to establish their sovereign state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, while safeguarding its historic and Islamic character, and the holy places therein; to safeguard and promote the rights of women and their participation in all spheres of life, in accordance with the laws and legislation of Member States; to create conducive conditions for sound upbringing of Muslim children and youth, and to inculcate in them Islamic values through education for strengthening their cultural, social, moral and ethical ideals; to assist Muslim minorities and communities outside the Member States to preserve their dignity, cultural and religious identity; to uphold the objectives and principles of the present Charter, the Charter of the United Nations and international law as well as international humanitarian law while strictly adhering to the principle of non-interference in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State; to strive to achieve good governance at the international level and the democratization of the international relations based on the principles of equality and mutual respect among States and non-interference in matters Have resolved to cooperate in achieving these goals and agreed to the present amended Charter. CHAPTER I Objectives and Principles Article 1 1. To enhance and consolidate the bonds of fraternity and solidarity among the Member States; 2. To safeguard and protect the common interests and support the legitimate causes of the Member States and coordinate and unify the efforts of the Member States in view of the challenges faced by the Islamic world in 3. To respect the right of self-determination and non-interference in the domestic affairs and to respect sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each Member State; 4. To support the restoration of complete sovereignty and territorial integrity of any Member State under occupation, as a result of aggression, on the basis of international law and cooperation with the relevant international and regional organisations; 5. To ensure active participation of the Member States in the global political, economic and social decision-making processes to secure their common interests; 6. To promote inter-state relations based on justice, mutual respect and good neighbourliness to ensure global peace, security and harmony; 7. To reaffirm its support for the rights of peoples as stipulated in the UN Charter and international law; 8. To support and empower the Palestinian people to exercise their right to selfdetermination and establish their sovereign State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, while safeguarding its historic and Islamic character as well as the Holy places therein; 9. To strengthen intra-Islamic economic and trade cooperation; in order to achieve economic integration leading to the establishment of an Islamic Common Market; 10. To exert efforts to achieve sustainable and comprehensive human development and economic well-being in Member States; 11. To disseminate, promote and preserve the Islamic teachings and values based on moderation and tolerance, promote Islamic culture and safeguard Islamic heritage; 12. To protect and defend the true image of Islam, to combat defamation of Islam and encourage dialogue among civilisations and religions; 13. To enhance and develop science and technology and encourage research and cooperation among Member States in these fields; 14. To promote and to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms including the rights of women, children, youth, elderly and people with special needs as well as the preservation of Islamic family values; 15. To emphasize, protect and promote the role of the family as the natural and fundamental unit of society; 16. To safeguard the rights, dignity and religious and cultural identity of Muslim communities and minorities in non-Member States; 17. To promote and defend unified position on issues of common interest in the international fora; 18. To cooperate in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, organised crime, illicit drug trafficking, corruption, money laundering and human trafficking; 19. To cooperate and coordinate in humanitarian emergencies such as natural disasters; 20. To promote cooperation in social, cultural and information fields among the Member States. Article 2 1. All Member States commit themselves to the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter; 2. Member States are sovereign, independent and equal in rights and obligations; 3. All Member States shall settle their disputes through peaceful means and refrain from use or threat of use of force in their relations; 4. All Member States undertake to respect national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of other Member States and shall refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of others; 5. All Member States undertake to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs as enshrined in the present Charter, the Charter of the United Nations, international law and international humanitarian law; 6. As mentioned in the UN Charter, nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the Organisation and its Organs to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State or related to it; 7. Member States shall uphold and promote, at the national and international levels, good governance, democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law; 8. Member States shall endeavour to protect and preserve the environment. CHAPTER II Membership Article 3 2. Any State, member of the United Nations, having Muslim majority and abiding by the Charter, which submits an application for membership may join the Organisation if approved by consensus only by the Council of Foreign Ministers on the basis of the agreed criteria adopted by the Council of Foreign Ministers. 3. Nothing in the present Charter shall undermine the present Member States’ rights or privileges relating to membership or any other issues. Article 4 2. Decision on granting Observer status to an international organisation will be taken by the Council of Foreign Ministers by consensus only and on the basis of the agreed criteria by the Council of Foreign Ministers. CHAPTER III Organs Article 5
CHAPTER IV Islamic Summit Article 6 Article 7 Article 8 2. The Preparation of the Agenda and all necessary arrangements for the convening of the Summit will be done by the Council of Foreign Ministers with the assistance of the General Secretariat. Article 9 CHAPTER V Council of Foreign Ministers Article 10 2. An Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers may be convened at the initiative of any Member State or of the Secretary-General if such initiative is approved by a simple majority of the Member States. 3. The Council of Foreign Ministers may recommend convening other sectorial Ministerial meetings to deal with the specific issues of concern to the Ummah.Such meetings shall submit their reports to the Islamic Summit and the Council of Foreign Ministers. 4. The Council of Foreign Ministers shall consider the means for the implementation of the general policy of the Organisation by: a. Adopting decisions and resolutions on matters of common interest in the implementation of the objectives and the general policy of the Organisation; b. Reviewing progress of the implementation of the decisions and resolutions adopted at the previous Summits and Councils of Foreign Ministers; c. Considering and approving the programme, budget and other financial and administrative reports of the General Secretariat and Subsidiary Organs; d. Considering any issue affecting one or more Member States whenever a request to that effect by the Member State concerned is made with a view to taking appropriate measures in that respect; e. Recommending to establish any new organ or committee; f. Electing the Secretary General and appointing the Assistant Secretaries General in accordance with Articles 16 and 18 of the Charter respectively; g. Considering any other issue it deems fit. CHAPTER VI Standing Committees Article 11 i. Al Quds Committee ii. Standing Committee for Information and Cultural Affairs (COMIAC) iii. Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) iv. Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH). 2. The Standing Committees are chaired by Kings and Heads of State and Government and are established in accordance with decisions of the Summit or upon the recommendation of the Council of Foreign Ministers and the membership of such Committees. CHAPTER VII Executive Committee Article 12 CHAPTER VIII Committee of Permanent Representatives Article 13 CHAPTER IX International Islamic Court of Justice Article 14 CHAPTER X Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights Article 15 CHAPTER XI General Secretariat Article 16 Article 17 a. bring to the attention of the competent organs of the Organisation matters which, in his opinion, may serve or impair the objectives of the Organisation; b. follow-up the implementation of decisions, resolutions and recommendations of the Islamic Summits, and Councils of Foreign Ministers and other Ministerial meetings; c. provide the Member States with working papers and memoranda, in implementation of the decisions, resolutions and recommendations of the Islamic Summits and the Councils of Foreign Ministers; d. coordinate and harmonize, the work of the relevant Organs of the Organisation; e. prepare the programme and the budget of the General Secretariat; f. promote communication among Member States and facilitate consultations and exchange of views as well as the dissemination of information that could be of importance to Member States; g. perform such other functions as are entrusted to him by the Islamic Summit or the Council of Foreign Ministers; h. submit annual reports to the Council of Foreign Ministers on the work of the Organisation. Article 18 2. The Secretary-General may, for the implementation of the resolutions and decisions of the Islamic Summits and the Councils of Foreign Ministers, appoint Special Representatives. Such appointments along with mandates of the Special Representatives shall be made with the approval of the Council of Foreign Ministers. 3. The Secretary-General shall appoint the staff of the General Secretariat from among nationals of Member States, paying due regard to their competence, eligibility, integrity and gender in accordance with the principle of equitable geographical distribution. The Secretary-General may appoint experts and consultants on temporary basis. Article 19 Article 20 Article 21 CHAPTER XII Article 22 Subsidiary Organs Article 23 CHAPTER XIII Specialized Institutions Article 24 Affiliated Institutions Article 25 CHAPTER XIV Cooperation with Islamic and other Organizations Article 26 CHAPTER XV Peaceful Settlement of Disputes Article 27 Article 28 CHAPTER XVI Budget & Finance Article 29 2. The Organisation may, with the approval of the Islamic Summit or the Council of Foreign Ministers, establish special funds and endowments (waqfs) on voluntary basis as contributed by Member States, individuals and Article 30 Article 31 2. The Permanent Finance Committee shall present an annual report to the Council of Foreign Ministers which shall consider and approve the programme and budget. 3. The Finance Control Organ comprising financial/auditing experts from the Member States shall undertake the audit of the General Secretariat and its subsidiary organs in accordance with its internal rules and regulations. CHAPTER XVII Rules of Procedure and Voting Article 32 2. The Council of Foreign Ministers shall recommend the rules of procedures of the Islamic Summit. 3. The Standing Committees shall establish their own respective rules of procedure. Article 33 2. Decisions shall be taken by consensus. If consensus cannot be obtained, decision shall be taken by a two-third majority of members present and voting unless otherwise stipulated in this Charter. CHAPTER XVIII Final Provisions Article 34 2. Representatives of the Member States and officials of the Organisation shall enjoy such privileges and immunities as stipulated in the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of 1976. 3. The staff of the General Secretariat, subsidiary organs and specialised institutions shall enjoy privileges and immunities necessary for the performance of their duties as may be agreed between the Organisation and 4. A Member State which is in arrears in the payment of its financial contributions to the Organization shall have no vote in the Council of Foreign Ministers if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the Withdrawal Article 35 2. The State applying for withdrawal shall be bound by its obligations until the end of the fiscal year during which the application for withdrawal is submitted. It shall also settle any other financial dues it owes to the Organisation. Amendments Article 36 a. Any Member State may propose amendments to the present Charter to the Council of Foreign Ministers; b. When approved by two-third majority of the Council of Foreign Ministers and ratified by a two-third majority of the Member States, it shall come into force. Interpretation Article 37 2. The provisions of this Charter shall be implemented by the Member States in conformity with their constitutional requirements. Article 38 RATIFICATION AND ENTRY INTO FORCE Article 39 2. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the Organisation. 3- This Charter replaces the Charter of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference which was registered in conformity with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations on February 1, 1974. Done at the city of Dakar (Republic of Senegal), the Seventh day of Rabi Al-Awal, ****To know the thoughts and visions of Nigeria’s founding fathers, we have here published the speeches that created Nigeria and defined her foreign policy as delivered by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa , Nigeria’s first Prime Minister during the preparation for the Nigerian independence in 1957 and the Independence Speech, 1960. Nowhere did he mention joining the OIC then or at a later date: |
(1957) Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, “First Speech as Prime Minister”
By 1957 Nigeria was clearly on the path toward independence. In preparation the British Government named Abubakar Tafawa Balewa the first Prime Minister of the soon to be independent nation in a power sharing agreement among the colony's three major political parties. In the following radio address broadcasted to the Nigeria in September 1957, Balewa accepts his new appointment and outlines the political future of the soon-to-be independent nation.
This has been a great day for Nigeria, and, as the first Prime Minister of the Federation of Nigeria, I am proud to speak to my fellow-countrymen tonight. I am proud, and I am humble, too, when I think of the enormous responsibility which has been placed upon me, and my colleagues.
Today, we have set out on the last stage of our journey to Independence, and the next three years will see the culmination of a process which has been gathering momentum year by year, and will see us reaping the harvest of what we have sown. The success of the harvest will depend upon us, and that is why I am glad to speak to you tonight. Everyone of us has his part to play in the work of preparing Nigeria for Independence on the 2nd of April, 1960. I want everyone in Nigeria to realise that this is no easy task, and it cannot be performed by the Federal and Regional Ministers and legislators alone. It is a task for everyone of you because it is only by the personal effort of each individual that Independence for the Federation can become a reality in 1960.
****We have declared our intention of attaining Independence for the Federation on the 2nd of April, 1960, and if we wish to take our place among the responsible nations of the world, we must make every effort to see that this aim is achieved, and achieved with an international reputation for good internal government.
Nigeria has now reached a critical stage in her history. We must seize the opportunity which has been offered to us to show that we are able to manage our own affairs properly. Every Nigerian, whatever his status, and whatever his religion, has his or her share to contribute to this crucial task. I appeal to all my countrymen and women to cooperate with me and my colleagues to create a better understanding among our peoples, to establish mutual respect, and trust, among all our tribal groups, and to unite in working together for the common cause, the cause for which no sacrifice will be too great.
***I am convinced, and I want you also to be convinced, that the future of this vast country must depend, in the main, on the efforts of ourselves to help ourselves. This we cannot do if we do not work together in unity. Indeed, unity today is our greatest concern, and it is the duty off everyone of us to work so that we may strengthen it. This morning I said in the House of Representatives that bitterness due to political differences would carry Nigeria nowhere, and I appealed to the political leaders throughout the country to control their party extremists. To you who are listening tonight I repeat that appeal—Let us put away bitterness and go forward in friendship to Independence.
To further this overriding need for unity, my colleagues in the Council of Ministers and I have decided to give the country a lead by inviting the leaders of the Action Group to form with us a truly National Government composed of members of the main parties in the Country, and here I must pay tribute to Dr Azikiwe, to Chief Awolowo, Dr Endeley and to the leader of my own party, the Sardauna of Sokoto, for supporting me in this decision. I and my Colleagues of the N.C.N.C. and N.P.C. bold out our hands in welcome to the Action Group members of the Council and I promise you that we shall do our utmost to ensure that the deliberations of the Council are held in an atmosphere devoid of strife and narrow party prejudice.
And now I would like to say a word to the civil service. We are grateful to all the civil servants, through whose work the country has reached the present stage of political development. I know that every constitutional advance puts a great strain on the civil service. Not only is there additional work to be done, but some officers find it hard to accept the new changes, but I must emphasize that Nigeria has today taken another important step forward, and if we are to succeed we must have the loyalty of all Nigerian and expatriate officers in this vital period before self-government is achieved. I should like to reassure all our expatriate staff of our continued Sincerity in the pledges given over the last few years and to promise them that they need have no fears about their future. Their aim and our aim remains what it has always been—the welfare and prosperity of Nigeria. Our political advance will be of no value if it is not supported by economic progress. It is therefore most important that the development plans throughout the country should be carried out with vigour in order that we may have a proper financial standing when, in three years’ time, we ask the world to regard us as an independent self-governing nation.
***I would like to remind you of what a great American once said. It was this, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’. This statement is as true for Nigeria today as it has been for any other country. The peoples of Nigeria must be united to enable this country to play a full part in shaping the destiny of mankind. On no account should we allow the selfish ambitions of individuals to jeopardise the peace of the thirty-three million law-abiding people of Nigeria. It is the duty of all of us to work for unity and encourage members of all our communities to live together in peace and harmony. The way to do this is to create understanding, mutual respect and trust. It is important that we should first show respect to each other before asking the world to respect us.
Well—it is time for me to wish you good night, but first I would Once more tell you how absolutely vital it is for your future and the future Nigeria which your children will inherit that, during this interim period before Independence we should be united. Let us be honest with ourselves, and let us be sincere—we know what we want, and we are sure that we can get it, and get it at the right time, provided we are not delayed by selfish quarrels. At a time like this, we must all turn our minds to Almighty God and seek His guidance and assistance—by His grace, we shall succeed.
Sources:
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mr. Prime Minister: A Selection of Speeches Made by Alhaji the Right Honourable Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, K.B.E., M.P., Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Apapa: Nigerian National Press, Ltd., 1964).
(1960) Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, “Independence Day”
On Saturday, October 1, 1960, Nigeria became an independent nation. What follows is Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa's speech delivered at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos at the Independence Ceremony.
Today is Independence Day. The first of October 1960 is a date to which for two years every Nigerian has been eagerly looking forward. At last, our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now indeed an independent sovereign nation.
Words cannot adequately express my joy and pride at being the Nigerian citizen privileged to accept from Her Royal Highness these Constitutional Instruments which are the symbols of Nigeria’s Independence. It is a unique privilege which I shall remember for ever, and it gives me strength and courage as I dedicate my life to the service of our country.
This is a wonderful day, and it is all the more wonderful because we have awaited it with increasing impatience, compelled to watch one country after another overtaking us on the road when we had so nearly reached our goal. But now we have acquired our rightful status, and I feel sure that history will show that the building of our nation proceeded at the wisest pace: it has been thorough, and Nigeria now stands well- built upon firm foundations.
Today’s ceremony marks the culmination of a process which began fifteen years ago and has now reached a happy and successful conclusion. It is with justifiable pride that we claim the achievement of our Independence to be unparalleled in the annals of history. Each step of our constitutional advance has been purposefully and peacefully planned with full and open consultation, not only between representatives of all the various interests in Nigeria but in harmonious cooperation with the administering power which has today relinquished its authority.
At the time when our constitutional development entered upon its final phase, the emphasis was largely upon self-government. We, the elected representatives of the people of Nigeria, concentrated on proving that we were fully capable of managing our own affairs both internally and as a nation. However, we were not to be allowed the selfish luxury of focusing our interest on our own homes. In these days of rapid communications we cannot live in isolation, apart from the rest of the world, even if we wished to do so. All too soon it has become evident that for us Independence implies a great deal more than self-government. This great country, which has now emerged without bitterness or bloodshed, finds that she must at once be ready to deal with grave international issues.
This fact has of recent months been unhappily emphasized by the startling events which have occurred in this continent. I shall not labour the point but it would be unrealistic not to draw attention first to the awe-inspiring task confronting us at the very start of our nationhood. When this day in October 1960 was chosen for our Independence it seemed that we were destined to move with quiet dignity to place on the world stage. Recent events have changed the scene beyond recognition, so that we find ourselves today being tested to the utmost We are called upon immediately to show that our claims to responsible government are well-founded, and having been accepted as an indepedent state we must at once play an active part in maintaining the peace of the world and in preserving civilisation. I promise you, we shall not fail for want of determination.
And we come to this task better-equipped than many. For this, I pay tribute to the manner in which successive British Governments have gradually transferred the burden of responsibility to our shoulders. The assistance and unfailing encouragement which we have received from each Secretary of State for the Colonies and their intense personal interest in our development has immeasurably lightened that burden.
All our friends in the Colonial Office must today be proud of their handiwork and in the knowledge that they have helped to lay the foundations of a lasting friendship between our two nations. I have indeed every confidence that, based on the happy experience of a successful partnership, our future relations with the United Kingdom will be more cordial than ever, bound together, as we shall be in the Commonwealth, by a common allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, whom today we proudly acclaim as Queen of Nigeria and Head of the Commonwealth.
Time will not permit the individual mention of all those friends, many of them Nigerians, whose selfless labours have contributed to our Independence. Some have not lived to see the fulfilment of their hopes—on them be peace—but nevertheless they are remembered here, and the names of buildings and streets and roads and bridges throughout the country recall to our minds their achievements, some of them on a national scale. Others confined, perhaps, to a small area in one Division, are more humble but of equal value in the sum-total.
Today, we have with us representatives of those who have made Nigeria: Representatives of the Regional Governments, of former Central Governments, of the Missionary Societies, and of the Banking and Commercial enterprises, and members, both past and present, of the Public Service. We welcome you, and we rejoice that you have been able to come and share in our celebrations. We wish that it could have been possible for all of those whom you represent to be here today: Many, I know, will be disappointed to be absent, but if they are listening to me now, I say to them: ‘Thank you on behalf of my Thank you for your devoted service which helped build up Nigeria into a nation. Today we are reaping the harvest which you sowed, and the quality of the harvest is equalled only by our gratitude to you. May God bless you all.
This is an occasion when our hearts are filled with conflicting emotions: we are, indeed, proud to have achieved our independence, and proud that our efforts should have contributed to this happy event. But do not mistake our pride for arrogance. It is tempered by feelings of sincere gratitude to all who have shared in the task of developing Nigeria politically, socially and economically. We are grateful to the British officers whom we have known, first as masters, and then as leaders, and finally as partners, but always as friends. And there have been countless missionaries who have laboured unceasingly in the cause of education and to whom we owe many of our medical services. We are grateful also to those who have brought modern methods of banking and of commerce, and new industries. I wish to pay tribute to all of these people and to declare our everlasting admiration of their devotion to duty.
And, finally, I must express our gratitude to Her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra of Kent for personally bringing to us these symbols of our freedom, and especially for delivering the gracious message from Her Majesty The Queen. And so, with the words ‘God Save Our Queen’, I open a new chapter in the history of Nigeria, and of the Commonwealth, and indeed of the world.
Sources:
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mr. Prime Minister: A Selection of Speeches Made by Alhaji the Right Honourable Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, K.B.E., M.P., Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Apapa: Nigerian National Press, Ltd., 1964).