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The Vile Face Of Colonialism- A Response To Professor Bruce Grilley’s Article On Colonialism

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By: Abdulhakeem Abdulhakeem,

“It would be an act of the most brazen to weigh the paltry social amenities provided during Colonial epoch against the exploitation, and to arrive at the conclusion that the good outweighed the Bad”
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Walter Rodney

On a reading mood Wednesday, at exactly 4pm, I bumped into my Uncle’s Books shelve, who happens to be a graduate of Business Administration from Federal Polytecnic Ede, Osun State and found an article titled “The Case for Colonialism”, written by Professor Bruce Gilley, a teacher of Political Science at the University of Portland, Oregon. Like a chap who fall in love with a beautiful lady at first sight, I fell in love almost immediately with the title of the work, thinking have gotten a resourceful material that would add value to me. But I was shocked reading the arguments raised by a Modern Professor of Political Science on Colonialism in this century. Having been dissatisfied with the various argument raised by Bruce Gilley in the article, I decided to take it upon myself as a student of history living in Africa to respond to the unforgivable blunders committed by him(Bruce Gilley). Though I learnt he has agreed to withdraw the article from the Journal that published it, after the Editor of the Journal receives death threat from various Africans living in Europe and some progressive Whites for defending Colonialism.

Here are the blunders of an argument presented by Bruce Gilley.

First; Bruce Gilley argues that it high time to reevaluate the notion that Colonialism is always and everywhere a bad thing. Because a post colonial era have left the third world Nation’s with greatest human Sufferings.

Secondly; Bruce Gilley argues that for Africa to come out of the present calamities they found themselves, they need, with immediate effect, to unlock the colonial benefits again.

The Neglect Of History In Nigeria And Its Consequences In Nation Building

Thirdly; Bruce Gilley argues that the government of the third world Nation’s especially Africa needs to replicate as far as possible the colonial system of governance of their past- as successful countries like Singapore, Belize and Bostwana did.

Lastly, Bruce Gilley argues that some region in Africa should be allow to be recolonize by European countries if they must advance.

A mere Scan reading of the above argument raised by Bruce Gilley would no doubt make it difficult for you to decipher that he belongs to the unrepentant family of bourgeoisie Scholars who still take pride from defending Colonialism. Beginning with the first argument of reevaluating the notion that Colonialism is always and everywhere a bad thing, simply because a post colonial era have left the third world Nation’s with greatest sufferings. Speaking strictly as an Afrocentric and a growing pro-Marxist student of history, I strongly believed that there is absolutely nothing to reevaluate about such Notion as Colonialism is always and will always remain bad every now and then. As Albert Memmi rightly put it; ‘The most serious blow suffered by the colonised is being removed from history and from the community’. Without any iota of doubts, Africans were robbed of their history and almost totally taken away from their communities even though they still lives in it during the era of Colonialism as a stranger lifestyle was forcefully forced upon them. Therefore, talking about the reevaluation of such Notion is tantamount to being a patient in a Psychiatric hospital who needs the attention of a Psychiatrist. Bruce Gilley failed woefully to also think that such needs reevaluation simply because a post colonial era has left third World Nation’s in greatest human Sufferings. No one needs an Oracle to tell that, the present sufferings we see in third World Nation’s are the by-product of Colonialism and the continuous exploitation of the third World Nation’s by the metropoles through their unpatriotic indigenous agents in the various third World Nation’s. So, it would be of immense benefit to advance intellectualism to throw this argument of Bruce Gilley to the never- retrieve dustbin of history.

Furthermore, in view of the second argument, that if Africa is to come out of the present calamities they found themselves, they need, with immediate effect, to unlock the colonial benefits again. Laughable as this assertion was, I still found it difficult to believe that a supposed Professor of Political Science could be as myopic as this to see that there is no benefit whatsoever attached to Colonialism, that one can unlock. Africans can’t forget so easily how Colonialism relegated them to slaves in their own land and their Kings to Puppet. We can’t forget so easily how our economic freedom was taking away from us and forced into engaging in economic activities that serves strictly the interest of the metropoles. We can’t forget so easily how ‘Colonialism made Africa Political states lost their power, Independence and meaning, irrespective of whether they are big or small empires’. Is this vile of a benefit Bruce Gilley wants us to unlock?. Let it be known that the rail ways, Roads, hospitals and Schools built by the Colonialist are contradiction in themselves as the bulk of it services was for the sole benefit of the metropoles. Have listened to some of my colleagues in the Physical and Natural Sciences argues that; if not for Coming of the Whites to Africa, Africa would have been so backward. But I often try to convince them that that is not the case, yet they seems to clinched to their beliefs strongly. Though I won’t blame them anyways, because they lived in a World where 2+2 is always 4 irrespective of the time and space. The argument whether there is any benefit to be unlocked from Colonialism needs not to be prolong as it’s obvious that ‘Colonialism had only one hand, and it was a one-armed bandit’.

The argument that government of the third World Nation’s especially Africa needs to replicate the colonial system of governance of their past – as successful Countries like Singapore, Belize and Botswana did is highly bizarre. Though, I am not ripe enough to debunk whether Singapore, Belize and Botswana did replicate the colonial system of governance of the Colonialist before they were able to attain the height they are currently. But I believed I’m equipped enough to condemn such assertion because replicating the such system of governance is equivalent to embarking on a suicide mission. No reasonable government in the third world Nation’s will replicate such system. Although, it makes sense to say that some government in Africa are now utilizing effectively the pattern of colonial political system. I am sure, that a Nigerian born in the late 20th century, now understand how our politicians uses the divide and rule policy effectively just to manipulate, exploit and distract the masses. An attempt to replicate fully the colonial system of governance will spelt doom for any Africa Countries that does that. Instead we should adopt a system which serves the interest of all and sundry, and also change our mindset towards building our Nation’s, if we must attain a greater height.The argument of the unrepentant professor should therefore, be buried deep the ground beyond reach.

The last but the most senseless argument of Bruce Gilley was that some region in Africa should be allow to be recolonize by Advance European Countries if they must advance. This Statement proves beyond reasonable doubts that Bruce Gilley does not worth being in an intellectual environment, talk more of being called a Professor as it is clear that, he has lost the sympathy for humanity. It is highly painful, that a supposed Professor of Political Science sees sense in recolonizing a group of people on the basis of making them advance. One would have thought Bruce Gilley would hide his despicable way of thinking by not reaching this extent of unforgivable blunders. To talk about recolonizing a group of people in this 21st century is to be bizarre, historically ignorant and selfish, callous among all other odd adjectives. The recolonization of any region in Africa would be the disaster of all time, which I hope will never come true.

In conclusion, it is a great responsibility for all Africa student of history that are progressive in thought and believed Colonialism has done no good for Africa to quickly challenge fearlessly this despicable write up by a Supposed Professor of Political Science, Bruce Gilley, titled “The Case For Colonialism”. And spread around the news of the horrors that Colonialism came with hundreds of years ago. So that the growing generation in Africa will have abundant work to read on the vile face of Colonialism and in turn, refused to be brainwashed by the likes of BRUCE GILLEY.

Abdulhakeem Abdulhakeem Wrote from the Department of History ABU Zaria.

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History

Today in History: Former Senate President Chuba Okadigbo Was Gassed To Death

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Late Dr Chuba Okadigbo
Late Dr Chuba Okadigbo

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

On September 23, 2003, the vice-presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Chief William Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo, was allegedly gassed at Kano Pillars Stadium by security agents during a rally of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), led by the opposition candidate in the 2003 general elections, General Muhammadu Buhari (retired).

The ANPP and its candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, staged the opposition rally at Sani Abacha Stadium as a prelude to their court case at the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja, led by Justice Umaru Abdullahi.

The rally, which had thousands of Buhari’s supporters in attendance, was graced by the new Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, his late Deputy, Engineer Magaji Abdullahi, Hajiya Najaatu Muhammad, and John Nwodo Junior.

The ANPP National Chairman, Chief Donald Etiebet, also attended the rally. However, apart from Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the rest of the ANPP Governors were not in attendance, including Ahmad Sani Yerima of Zamfara, Adamu Aliero of Kebbi, the late Bukar Abba Ibrahim of Yobe, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno, and Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa of Sokoto.

Aware of Dr. Chuba Okadigbo’s health condition, the then Federal Government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo did not want the rally to proceed. Security personnel mounted the entrance to Kano Pillars Stadium to prevent entry into the field until the Kano Governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, ordered the youth to break the gate, allowing the opposition figures to enter.

Upon entering the stadium, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau chastised his predecessor and the then Minister of Defence, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for not visiting Kano since handing over power on May 29, 2003. He referred to Kwankwaso as “Ministan tsoro,” meaning “Minister of Fear.”

On returning to Abuja, the late William Wilberforce Chuba Okadigbo died on Friday, September 25, 2003, following the alleged gassing by security agents at Kano Pillars Stadium.

Dr. Chuba Okadigbo was the political adviser to former President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic. He hailed from Oyi Local Government in Anambra State.

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History

Meet Nigeria’s First Professor Of History

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The first professor in Nigeria was Professor Kenneth Dike (1917-1983). He was a renowned historian and academic who made significant contributions to the field of African history and culture.

Professor Dike was born in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, and received his early education in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Aberdeen in 1950 and returned to Nigeria to teach at the University College, Ibadan (now the University of Ibadan).

In 1956, Professor Dike became the first Nigerian to be appointed as a professor, serving as the Professor of History at the University of Ibadan. He was a pioneer in the field of African history and wrote several influential books, including “Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta” and “A Hundred Years of British Rule in Nigeria”.

History of the Ajanakus Family in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria

Professor Dike’s achievements and contributions to education and academia have been recognized and celebrated in Nigeria and beyond. He remains a celebrated figure in Nigerian history and an inspiration to generations of scholars and academics.

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History

Late Haruna Kundila: The Pre Colonial Wealthiest person in Kano

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By Jamilu Uba Adamu

Late Mallam Sa’adu Zungur (1915 – 1958) in his song Arewa Mulukiya ko Jamhuriya said;

“Ya Sarki Alhaji Bayero,
Ga Yan birni da Kanawiya.

Tun Bagauda na saran Kano, Suka fara fataucin dukiya.”

Throughout its history Kano State have been a trading and important commercial center. History have shown that Kano has produced quite a number of wealthy individuals that their names will always be there in the annals of history.

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The ability of Kano and Kanawa to create wealthy individuals did not start in this modern era. The like of Madugu Indo Adakawa, Muhammadu Dan Agigi, and Madugu Dangomba, Umaru Sharubutu, Mai Kano Agogo, Alhasasan Dantata, Adamu Jakada, Muhammad Nagoda and many others were among the wealthy individuals that Kano produce.

Late Alh. Haruna Kundila (1810 – 1901 ) was known for his great wealth and fortune in the pre-colonial Kano during the reign of Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi and his successor Emir Bello Ibrahim Dabo.

There was this popular Hausa saying attributed to him ; Bana siyarwa bane ya gagari Kundila, literally meaning that there is nothing Kundila can’t afford to buy unless if it is not for sale, because of his massive wealth and purchasing power.

Haruna Kundila was born in 1810 at Makwarari Quarters in Kano city.

The story about his source of wealth says that ” one day when he came out from house, he met Mallam Sidi ( according to the story Mallam Sidi, is a Pious God fearing Islamic teacher, that many people believe that he is a “Waliyyi’ ) and Mallam Sidi asked Kundila how he can help him get those that can evacuate his sewer pit ? Kundila answered him in positive. When he checked and couldn’t find anyone to do the job, he decided to do it by himself. When the Mallam came back and asked him weather he find out the people? He told him that the people have already came and do the work, Mallam Sidi asked him again “How much they were supposed to be paid for the work? But suddenly someone that witness how Kundila did the work alone, intercede and told Mallam that Kundila do the work by himself. When the Mallam heard that, he shake his head and said; To , Insha Allahu,duk inda warin masan nan ya buga gabas da Yamma, Kudu da Arewa sai kayi suna ka shahara an sanka ”

History tell us that Haruna Kundila who was a slave trader in those days, had a trade relations with traders coming to kano from foreign countries such as Mali,Sudan,Libya, Senegal,Damagaram,Agadas,Garwa,Duwala,Bamyo and Fallomi.

In his heyday’s, there is no one in Kano with Kundila’s wealth. Kundila was very rich and had estates by each of the city gates (Kofofi). It was said that he owned more than one thousand slaves. In fact he was the wealthiest trader in Nineteen century Kano.

The reason behind the name Kundila; history tell us that, Haruna has a younger sister named Binta who follows him in birth. After she grew up, one day Haruna went home and found his sister in thier mother’s room, he said to her ” Please Binta, “Miko min Kundina” the sister started to be repeating the words “Ina Kundina? Ina Kundina? Since that time the name Kundila followed him for the rest of his life. Up till today some Government housing estate in Kano bear the name, example Kundilar Zaria road.

It was said that when he died in 1901 (two years before the British Conquest of Kano) Kano was shaken for the loss of one the greatest wealthiest individual in it’s history.

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