GST 103
NIGERIAN PEOLE AND CULTURE
NANRET GODFREY DIYOCK, REG. No. 4785 Bed 300 level
5/20/2013
QUESTION: Trace the history of Nigeria from pre-colonial era to date highlighting the leaders that rule the country at various levels, also indicate specific date of leadership.
QUESTION: Trace the history of Nigeria from pre-colonial era to date highlighting the leaders that rule the country at various levels, also indicate specific date of leadership.
INTRODUCTION
For one to be able to do justice to a question of this nature, it would be better if one is at latitude to write without a constraint. However, going by given benchmark an attempt would be made to achieve this. Historically, the country Nigeria came about due largely to the merchant activities of the British traders whom in their quest for larger market, raw materials and the need to exert political influence overseas led them to kick start a project that resorted into a birth of what today is known and called Nigeria. Before this, there were series of activities of leaders of various organized communities like that of the Igbos, Ibibios, Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba as well as the advent of the colonialist and the amalgamation of protectorates, constitutional development cum nationalist movement which majorly facilitated the formation of Nigeria as well as the subsequent grant of independence.
EARLY HISTORY OF NIGERIA
Nigeria was a creation of the British colonial adventurer and empire builder. The Match for markets, raw materials and the need to exert political influence overseas led Britain to journey to places as distant as Wikki in present day Borno State. To the Northwest; Sokoto came under her influence too. Deriving the name Nigeria from the word 'Niger' - the name of the river that constitutes the most remarkable geographical feature, the colonial master coupled together the diverse peoples North and South of the river and its tributary — the Benue —