The man Harold Smith is not new in Nigerian history. He is one of the architects of the colonial foundation that led to Nigeria’s independence in 1960. I met him in a meeting three weeks ago where he opened up a bit on lingering problems in Africa, especially Nigeria’s unbalanced so-political relationship. We asked if he could make this known to the media. His response was “I am in my 80s now; I have agreed. In the past ‘they’ did not want me to say anything, but now I don’t want to go to my grave without telling the truth about the atrocities perpetrated in Africa by the colonialists.
On a Ben TV programme last Thursday, Harold Smith spoke about what went on behind the scene before independence. The Oxford University graduate had this to say about his role in Nigeria’s pre- and post-independence era. “Our agenda was to completely exploit Africa.
Nigeria was my duty post. When we assessed Nigeria, this was what we found in the southern region: strength, intelligence, a determination to succeed, well established history, complex but focused life styles, great hope and aspirations… the East is good in business and technology, the West is good in administration and commerce, law and medicine, but it was a pity we planned our agenda to give power “at all costs” to (one region)... Our mission was accomplished by destroying the opposition on all fronts. The West led in the fight for independence, and was punished for asking for freedom”.
Harold Smith justified the British agenda of colonialism in Nigeria, which he believed was originally to help build Africa after the ruins of slave trade, but lamented that the British only looked after themselves and not Nigerian interest. “The British really let Nigeria down. When I see Nigerians being accused of fraud and from what I saw on the streets of Lagos, the British were the worst fraudsters”, he said.
He said the time has come now to see people of intelligent minds with an open and inclusive agenda for all Nigerians in power, people who will really look after Nigeria’s large population. However, he added: “I still curiously and sorrowfully see now that the British have not let go of Nigeria, her wealth, her future”.
He said that Caucasians now assert themselves as the keepers of the “New Age” keys, adding that it was “only logical for Europeans to maintain their position of power, scientific superiority, economic exploitation; they must continue to perpetuate their lies and falsehoods and this is the most unkind cut of all in relation to the Nigerian situation”.
According to him, Nigeria, a great nation was crippled not because of military juntas or corrupt leaders alone but by the British and American fear of Nigeria’s great future. He confessed, “The fear of the place that will be our ‘dumping ground’ really occupied our minds”. Some of the things he said were not new to Nigerians or to the whole world but hearing it from the horse’s mouth is quite revealing and established more reality zones. He submitted that the colonial masters did a lot of havoc while they were in Africa, and planted time bombs when they finally left. “What we have seen since independence is an administration of new internal colonial masters, fellow Nigerians doing more damage to Nigeria. Instead of detonating the time bombs planted by the British, it is planting mines”.
He added that “It was my duty to carry out all of the above and I was loyal to my country. Nigerians should try to be loyal to their country leaders and followers alike. Love your country. You have got the potentials to be great again and the whole world knows this. I’m sorry for the evil done to Nigeria. I can’t say sorry enough’. My people, this is a great “expo” what do you think???
Olaitan Komolafe
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written by DR OKEY UMEANO, January 28, 2011
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written by isidore, January 28, 2011
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written by sammy awugo, January 28, 2011
i wil only advice them ,to hold on to what belong to them,and stop destroying other peoples own ok,
thanks all the patriotic nigerian,one nigerian,one nation we are.
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written by nadia, January 28, 2011
ONE NIGERIA
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written by Williams, January 28, 2011
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written by munir sorunmu, January 28, 2011
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written by batho, January 28, 2011
Love Nigeria forever. my beloved great Nation, No matter what I am proud of you....... I wish the world will hear this!!!!!
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written by Chukwuma E Azubuko, January 29, 2011
The Mallamization of Nigerian politics qualified for unusual cruelty and mountainous deliberate indifference. These are actionable in the legal kingdom. We have also decoded the rationales for non-Ngbatinization and non-Okoronization of Nigerian politics. Na wa o! The ability to thinking critically and creatively is likenable to a brief case, everyone goes with his.
Nonetheless, I admire the intellectual courage, intellectual humility and faith-to-reasons, which Mr. Smith manifested. However, lit was akin to closing the stable after the horse had been stolen.
My advise to Nigerians will be thus: 'On more scores than one, you should count your teeth with your tongue' and '"If you defeated a short-man in a wrestling contest, he will certainly make some conclusions with his mind.' Irrefutably, Nigerians should concertedly soldier on. We will not only see Jericho, but we will enter into central to prodigalities of God's love and grace.
One thing most exciting about the PDP's primary election presidentially was focus on "fresh air."
Enough is enough! The propensity of dancing in manners, which will culminate into the lose of shiled and the sword should stop without prostitution of much-need invaluable time. Our national anthem says it all - "The labor of our heroes should not be in vain." No responsible government closes her eye at the concept of Utilitarianism or common good as well as inter-generational equity.
One negative thing about Nigeria is that everyone claims to be a manager. Sophisticated leadership centers on nurture and not necessarily nature. My stance is on the definition of education, which I internalize from English secondary school workbook. Education is defined as "A process through, which the moral capacity of an individual is developed, so to make him a cultrual member of his society." [Tomori]
Another striking issue about the revelations of Mr. Smith is the disclosure about existence of what economists called "The law of comparative advantages." How can Nigerian leaders harness the regional know-how differences towards building strong Nigeria? However, the compartmentalization of intellectual abilities of Nigerians these days is not distinct or as he stated. Any Nigeria whether from North or South who are well-nurtured can be very competent rather outstanding in her/his chosen field/s. Unexaggeratedly, "Then is not now."
I was talking to my elderst sister who resides in Abia State recently and she sententiously said: "There is no time." I have ruminated upon the remark several times. That applies to Nigerians and their leaders. We have to decide on the gods or God we have to worship.
The determination on maximization rather optimization of Nigeria's human, fiscal and physical resources is diametrically incumbent on Nigerian. What we need to seeing the beautiful Zion is within the country and not outside the country. Will it not be judicious for Nigerians to understanding increasingly the invaluability of crossing their t's and dotting their i's, at all material times and not on only on Christmas', New Year's, et cetera Eves. "A wise wo/man thinks of war in time of peace." Will it be intelligent to reasoning that economics just like English and mathematics should be made a compulsory course prior to graduation from secondary school in Nigeria? At this juncture, Nigerians cannot afford swopping horses in the mid-stream. In essence, leadership exprimentations will not augur well for us. Nigerians should join forces to resisting such leadership. My grand-mother in those days when men were men and beautiful women ... my maternal grand-mother drummed it into my head, thus: "If my first hubsand walked away with my wedding ring and on re-marrying, it will not be so with second husband."
It is high time we put two and two together and understanding what unifies us as Nigerians and not what divides us. Of course, "Our native land is common parent to us all." [Cicero] More, "Where there is a man, there is a place of/for kindness/services. We got to be our brothers' and sisters' keepers. May God blesses Nigeria, at all material times!
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written by TANKO AHMED, January 29, 2011
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written by ogbonna, January 29, 2011
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written by Tony, January 29, 2011
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written by Bill, January 31, 2011
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written by elmond, February 01, 2011
NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT SUBSCRIBED TO COMMON WEALTH AN DDESPATCH MEN TO GO TO LONDON TO LAY WREATH FOR BRITISH HEROES ON A WAR MEMORIAL DAY. YOU SEE THOSE REPRESENTATIVES DOCK AROUND LIKE SLAVES IN THE CROUD. WHOSE WAR? DIDN'T WE FIGHT OUR OWN WAR?
WHAT IS COMMON IN COMMON WEALT? IS AMERICA THERE?. DOES THE VISA REGIME REFLECT COMMON WEALT? IS IT COMMON ONLY WHEN IT FAVOURS THE BRITISH?
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written by NWANI EDWIN , February 01, 2011
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written by knight, February 03, 2011
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