GST 112 Test Compilations 17

Comprehensive Study Summary: Nigerian History, Society, and Politics

This summary provides a structured overview of key historical, social, and political aspects of Nigeria, as presented in the document.

I. Nigerian History & Politics

A. Colonial Era and Independence

• Lt-Col Odumegwu Ojukwu's Interpretation of Aburi Agreements: Advocated for Extreme decentralisation.
• Outspoken Women Leaders (Colonial Rule): Figures like Margaret Ekpo, Olufunmilayo Kuti, and Efunsetan Aniwura were prominent. G I Okoye was *not* mentioned as one of them in this context.
• Indirect Rule System: Promoted elements of British/Western monetary culture and administrative system.
• Aba Women Riot: A significant event that took place in 1929.
• Nigerian Export Timber Trade: The trade at Koko was established in 1916.
• British Occupation of Northern Nigeria: The main motive was to promote their economic, political and strategic interests.

B. Post-Colonial Era & Civil War

• Biafra Proclamation: The independence of Biafra was proclaimed on 30th May 1967.
• Nigerian Civil War Duration: The war lasted for approximately Three years.
• Diplomatic Advantage of Civil War End: It demonstrated that the Black man was capable of resolving his crisis.
• Yakubu Gowon's Stance: During the civil war, Gowon led Nigerians on the side of "One Nigeria".
• Gowon's Quote: "To keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done" was stated by Yakubu Gowon.
• Post-Nigerian Civil War Agenda: The 3Rs Agenda stood for Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.
• National Youth Service Corps (NYSC): The scheme was initiated to promote National integration.

C. Political Systems & Institutions

• Major Anti-Corruption Agencies: EFCC and ICPC.
• Obstacle to Administrative and Political Unitarism: Nigeria's Heterogeneity.
• Pre-colonial Communities: Were largely self-sufficient traditional communities.
• Direct Opposite of Indirect Rule: Assimilation system.
• "Autochthones" / "Stateless Societies": British colonial scholars used these terms to describe Non-centralized political institutions.
• Rulers Associated with DFFRI, MAMSER, NDE: Ibrahim Babangida.

II. Society & Culture

A. Women's Roles & Rights

• Most Prominent Women Riot: The Aba Women Riot.
• Pre-colonial Nigerian Women: Were generally Active.
• Hindrances to Women's Political Participation: Violence in politics, ethnic-based rivalry, and paternalistic structures of political parties. Violence-free exercise does *not* hinder participation; rather, its absence does.
• Post-Independence Women's Political Awareness: Increased.
• United Nations Decade for Women: 1975-1985.
• Patriarchal Structures & Women's Elevation: Catholic Churches in Nigeria, Anglican Churches in Nigeria, and Foreign Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria *can* hinder the elevation of women. African Indigenous Churches (AICs) were not specified as such a hindrance in this context.
• Titles for Prominent Women: Titles like Erelu, Iyalode, and Iyaloja were held by Yoruba women.

B. Marriage & Family

• Pre-colonial Societies, Chief Burial: A chief was usually buried with Slaves.
• Parental Contributions to New Couples: Non-material contributions include Prayers for blessings.
• Important Aspect of Marriage Ceremony: The payment of Bride price.
• Determining a Child's Name: Primarily based on The choice of the child.
• Yoruba Customs for a Dead Child: The parent is usually discouraged from seeing the Corpse of the dead child.

C. Religion & Belief Systems

• Religious Groups: African Indigenous Churches (AICs) are a significant group in Nigeria.
• J F Ade Ajayi on Early Missionary Activities: Relics include the First Storey Building in Badagry.
• Ibibio Beliefs on Child Death: A child's death was ascribed to Witchcraft.
• Christianity in Nigeria: Described as Multi-faceted.
• Introduction of Christianity to Southern Nigeria: First introduced during the 15th century.
• Ebenezer Baptist Church in Lagos: Founded in 1888.
• Pre-colonial Religion & Women's Roles: Women played key roles in Traditional religion.
• 20th Century Indigenous Pentecostal Churches: Included Redeemed Christian Church of God, Deeper Life Christian Ministry, and Church of God Missions. The Christian Missionary Society (CMS) was *not* an indigenous Pentecostal church.
• Religious Crises in Nigeria: Can take forms such as inter-religious (Muslim-Christian), ethno-religious, and intra-religious. Inter-royal was not listed as a form of religious crisis.

D. Ethnic Groups & Social Structures

• Royal Dynasties of Benin: The founder with a link to Ife was Oranmiyan.
• Fulani Jihad Consequence: It united the entire Hausaland.
• Major Ethnic Occupants of Edo Central Senatorial District: Esan.
• Ibin-Ukpabi Oracle: Belonged to the Aro people.
• Hausaland Queen: Daura was ruled by a Queen in the pre-Bayajidda era.
• "Egba Omo Oduduwa" Formation: This pan-Yoruba organization was formed in 1945 in London.
• Riverine Women's Mobile Shop: Canoes served as a form of mobile shop among riverine women.

III. Economy & Development

A. Corruption

• Nigeria's Corruption Situation: Characterized by the prevalence of the culture of corruption.
• Economic Effect of Corruption: A major economic effect is the Destruction of national treasury.
• Effect of Corruption (Political): Leads to Election rigging.
• NOT a Social Cankerworm: Egalitarianism (unlike nepotism, bribery, corruption).
• Reason for No Single Definition of Corruption: The concept varies from one society to another.
• Does NOT Encourage Corruption: Transparent allocation of resources.

B. Trade & Resources

• First Shipment of Nigerian Crude Oil: Exported through Port Harcourt.
• Rubber Production in Sapele: Pioneered and facilitated by The Miller Brothers.
• Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: Between the 15th and 19th centuries, millions of people were forced out of the Nigerian area through this trade.

C. Dependency

• Main Feature of Dependency for a Colony: It Depended on the external or metropolitan economy.

IV. Geography & Demographics

• Cities Not Influenced by Colonial Industrialisation/Commercialisation: Oka-Akoko (unlike Jos and Port Harcourt).
• Confluence State Rivers: Consists of rivers Niger and Benue.
• Brazilian Returnees Settlement: Settled mainly in Lagos and Abeokuta.
• Diaspora Definition: Refers to the physical and cultural presence of Nigerians Outside Nigeria.
• Urban Culture: Includes various practices, belief systems, social forms, etc. of city dwellers.
• Nigerian Cities Prone To: More prone to Environmental degradation than their rural counterparts.

V. Key Figures & Quotes

• Organiser of FESTAC: Olusegun Obasanjo.
• Leader of Defunct Action Group: Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
• Islamic Scholar Visited Kano (Mohammed Rumfa's Reign): Al-Maghilli.
• Described Nigerian Cities as "Crucial Nodes": Akin Mabogunje described Nigerian towns and cities as “crucial nodes or swellings in the spatial economy".
• Execution of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa: Took place on 10 Nov, 1995.