Africaworld Newspaper 16-31 May 2015

www.africaworldnewspaper.com

BURUNDI And pierre nkurunziza

Burundi is a small country situated in the central east of Africa, being in the central East of Africa and its map shaped as a heart, Burundi is sometimes called the heart of Africa. Burundi is neighboring DRC on the East, Rwanda on the South, and Tanzania on the West while Zambia is on the other end of Lake Tanganyika. Before the 19th century, the Tutsi, a tall cattle-rearing people probably from the upper reaches of the Nile, migrated to the area and won dominance over the Batwa and Hutu who were, already in residence and earned living by pottery and agriculture. During 1860 Tutsis realm was organized on a feudal basis, with the Tutsi as the aristocracy and the Hutu as their vassals.

Writen by: Dacastro Fidele

2 I May 16 - 31 2015

PROVERBS Editorial PROVERBS (1) When hot water quarrels with the flour, its the cooking stick that always mediates.

(2) A monkey that eats grass instead of banana is a goat.

(3) Getting married to a girl that weighs more than 80kg is polygamy.

(4) When a tsetse fly perches on your scrotum, it takes great skill not force, to kill it.

(5) However much the buttocks are in a hurry, they will always remain at the back.

(6) If the throat can swallow a knife the anus must find a way of expelling it.

(7) No matter how hot your anger is, it cannot cook yam.

(8) The man who marries a beautiful wife and a man who plants corn by the road side have the same problem.

(9) The frown on the face of the goat does not prevent it from being taken to the market.

(10) No matter how far you urinate, the last always falls at your feet.

(11) No matter how much weed you smoke you cannot be the MOST HIGH. (12) One who sleeps with an itchy anus wakes up with smelly fingers.

(13) He who urinates in a stream must remember his family drinks from the water.

Africanworldforum

AfricaWorldnewspaper

AfricaWorldnewspaper

Return of the Native

May 16 - 31 2015 I

Return of the Native: Léopold Sédar Senghor Written By Ukachukwu Okorie

civilization at the École Nationale de la France d’Outre-Mer. “Naked woman, black During this academic woman, I sing your period, he met Aimé beauty that passes, Césaire and future the form that I fix French president in the Eternal” George Pompidou.

Earning French Léopold Sédar Seng- citizenship, Léopold hor was born in Joal, played different roles Senegal on the 9th actively during his October 1906, to a sojourn in Europe.

Serer Father and Ro- He later joined the man Catholic mother. French army durHe wanted to being World War II and

come a priest, studying in a seminary, but left at 20 having decided that he would rather teach. Thus he moved to a college in Dakar. In 1928, Senghor travelled to Paris to continue his studies on a partial scholarship.

Léopold Senghor became the first black African to emerge an agrégé, the top qualification for a tutor in the French education system and became a professor of African languages and

had been his first wife’s secretary, having family roots in Normandy.

He later returned to his native home, where he led Senegal’s independence struggle. He eventually became Senegal’s first democratically elected president, ruling for twenty uninterrupted years.

Léopold Sédar Sen-

ghor was one of the founders of the concept of Négritude.

Négritude has been defined as the literary and artistic expression of the black African experience.

Historically, the concept has been seen as an ideological moveIn 1948, he marment against French ried Ginette Eboué, colonialism and a dethe daughter of a prominent Guyanese fence of African culcolonial administra- ture. Léopold helped tor, Félix Eboué. They deeply to influence the strengthening had two kids; then the marriage ended of African identity in the French-speaking in divorce. Léopold black world. took a second wife, Colette Hubert, who spent 18 months in a German concentration camp. During the French colonial era, Léopold served successive terms representing Senegal in the National Assembly in Paris.

Léopold’s writings and poems, written in French, have been translated into several languages. In his poetry, he lures the reader to feel the nearly mystical, supersensory world of Africa. The scope of his non-fiction includes linguistics, sociology and politics.

His philosophy and the concept of Négritude has received

wide attention and criticism. It ups the tempo on the revolt against colonialist values. It calls for the glorification of the African past, and raises nostalgic feelings for the beauty and harmony of traditional African society. He died on 20 December 2001 in Verson, France.

Editorial SAME SEX MARRIAGE IS DEFINITELY AGAINST CHILDREN As Republic of Ireland go to the polls to vote in the May 22 Referendum, we must be reminded about the choices involved. We must face the fact that children are involved and that there is difference between man and woman.

Whatever we preach about equality, a man can never be a woman. Neither a woman be a man. As such, a man can never be a mother, not at all. The question of redefining marriage is victimizing children and technically making them motherless. The love given by a mother is unrivaled and can never be equalled by gay parents.

The society must neither be hoodwinked nor hypnotized into swallowing this detrimental pill. Parents must know the consequences of this constitutional change.

The future of humanity is being questioned by this singular act in this Celtic Island, and we must say NO at the Referendum. Children and the world is at risk because the YES campaign is all about adult sexual desire, nothing more. Remember, if they have their way, your children’s orientation will have to be changed in school.

Gay foster parents are there to effect it on wards. The intimidation exhibited in this campaign will be a child’s play as those who do not support it will be threatened big time....but who knows how? Whatever argument anyone may put up, Marriage is between a man and woman period.

Come in.

Uka

3

4 I May 16 - 31 2015

News

AfricaWorldnewspaper

BURUNDI And Pierre nkurunziza Tutsis were the upper class and mostly herdsmen whereas The Hutu were the lower class and for most part of that era lived by farming.

During this time it was called Rwanda.

In 1894 Von GĂśtzen, a Germany missionary entered Rwanda and visited the Rwabugiri kingdom, and in the following year, the king dies. With Rwanda in turmoil over the succession, the Germans moved in from Tanzania in 1897 to claim the region for the Kaiser. During this period, Burundi was claimed as a separate kingdom to the south, and the entire area was treated as a colony known as Ruanda-Urundi. After the outbreak of the European war in 1914, the region was suddenly taken from Germany. During the World War 1 when Belgium was invaded by the Germany, the Belgians retaliated in a smaller way in central Africa.

The latter’s troops moved east from the Belgian Congo to occupy Ruanda-Urundi and then right after the war, the League of Nations confirmed the existing state of affairs, granting Belgium in 1924, a mandate to administer the colony. From then Ruanda-Urundi was linked with Belgian Congo but colonial rule takes a very different form in the two territories. The

administration of the Congo is centered in Brussels, while the Ruanda-Urundi administration is left in the hands of the Tutsi aristocracy. The Belgians, observing the distinction between Tutsi and Hutu, made it the very basis of their colonial system. Thus Hutus became subjected to forced labour while the Tutsi supervise them as task masters despite population disparity (Hutu being 85%, Tutsi 14%

and 1% of the Batwa -Pygmies). In 1961 Urundi kingdom organized for elections where it was won by the joint Hutu and Tutsi party led by the Prince Rwagasore, the eldest son of the king, who was assassinated few months later, before independence has been formally achieved. In 1962 Urundi became independent and changed its name to Burundi, Mwambutsa IV, presided over the government

combining Hutu and Tutsi ministers. In January 1965, a Hutu prime minister, Pierre Ngendandumwe was assassinated by a Tutsi gunman.

Later in May of the same year, elections brought a Hutu majority to the national assembly. However, the Mwami’s highhandedness showed as he disregarded the election result and appoints as prime minister, his Tutsi private secretary. Consequently, Hutu officers

attempted a coup but failed, and 34 of them were captured and executed. But this incidents lead rapidly to a transformed Burundi. In July 1966, the Prince took the crown from an absent father but his prime minister, Michel Micombero, too overthrew him shortly and a republic was proclaimed. His ruthlessness and brutality over the Hutus resulted in an uprising in May 1972. As a response to the upris-

AfricaWorldnewspaper

ing, 100,000 people were killed, among whom were nearly all Hutu professionals or the educated class. Ever since, the Tutsi controlled civil service discrimination against Hutus became common.

Such treatment often provoke outbreaks of Hutu unrest. An instance was in 1988, in the northern provinces of Ntega and Marangara, which lead to another massacre of Hutus.

The ruling Tutsi minority of Micombero did not last long, as it was overthrown in 1976, thus bringing Colonel Jean Baptist Bagaza to power as the second republic president. In 1987, a coup led by Major Pierre Buyoya brought in the third republic, Due to an uprising and repression in 1988, the new president made efforts than his predecessors to deal with the nation’s ethnic issue. Buyoya took practical steps to ensure Hutu presence in his government. He set up a commission to advice on ways of achieving national unity. And he prepared the country for its first democratic presidential election billed for 1993. Unfortunately, Buyoya lost in Burundi’s first multiparty presidential election in June 1993 to Melchior Ndadaye, leader of the main opposition party FRODEBU (Burundi Democratic Front). The latter also

News

won a large majority in the accompanying legislative elections. As a matter of fact, he became the first democratically elected Hutu leader of Burundi. Merchior Ndadaye formed a conciliatory government, giving Tutsi politicians’ eight places out of twenty-two positions in his cabinet. But this hopeful development was soon frustrated by his assassination in a Tutsi attempted coup.

In response between 25,000 and 50,000 peoples were killed on both sides due to ethnic violence between Tutsi and Hutu and more than 750,000 Hutu and Tutsi fled the country.

In 1994, the national assembly elected another president of Hutu extraction Cyprien Ntaryamira, who in turn appointed a Tutsi as his prime minister. But again he was killed in April 1994 alongside President Habyarimana of Rwanda when a rocket brought down their plane. On the 6 April 1994, Silvestre Ntibantunganya, another Hutu, was chosen to replace the late Cyprien Ntaryamira. In July 1996, President Sylvestre Ntibantunganya attended a memorial service for 300 Tutsis butchered by militant Hutu. Amid angry scenes, he had to flee for his life.

And few days later, the Tutsi army seized power and brought back Pierre Buyoya.

In response to the military coup, sanctions were imposed on Burundi by most of the neighboring states, including the international bodies, and the rebels group known as FDD (democratic defense force) was born.

Burundi on the great Lakes Burundi does not interfere in their neighbour internal affairs unlike Rwanda.

And they focus more on their own development pace within the country and in the region. They also contributed in peace keeping in Somalia and other regional flash-points.

Who is Pierre Nkurunziza?

Pierre Nkurunziza is the current Burundi President from the CNDD FDD party that does not want to respect the Arusha peace accord on Burundi. He was born in December 18, 1963 in Bujumbura and raised up in the north of the country in the province of Ngozi. He is son to a Hutu father and Tutsi mother. His father was a governor of two provinces before being killed in 1972. Nkurunziza graduated in 1990 at the University of Burundi, with a degree in physical education.

He went on to teach in high school, and later served as an assistant lecturer at the university. In 1995, he narrowly escaped death during the army attack on the

May 16 - 31 2015 I 5

university campus that killed some 200 people.

After his escape he became active in the conflict and then went on to join the rebel group. In 1998 a Burundian court sentenced him in absentia to death for his rebel activities.

Nkurunziza headed negotiations that reached point of high development, signing a peace accord with President Domitien Ndayizeye in 2003.

As part of the agreement, Nkurunziza received immunity from prosecution for war crimes. He later joined Ndayizeye’s cabinet as minister of good governance in November 2004.

In 2005 CNDD-FDD became an official political party. Under Nkurunziza’s leadership, the party won a decisive victory in parliamentary elections held in July. In preparation for the upcoming presidential election in Parliament, Nkurunziza was asked to be the CNDD-FDD’s candidate. He accepted the nomination and as the only candidate, won 151 of the 162 ballots cast and was elected president on August 19, 2005. He was formally sworn into office on August 25.

In 2006 he attempted to broker a ceasefire with the only Hutu rebel group FNL (Liberation National Front) outside the framework of the peace process,

however, the offer was rejected by the group. Thus there was intermittent violence. No substantive agreement was reached until May 2008, when the FLN convened with Nkurunziza in Bujumbura and signed another cease-fire.

In December of that year, Nkurunziza met with FNL leader Agathon Rwasa and signed a definitive peace agreement. In 2010 Nkurunziza was reelected with more than 90 percent of the vote following the withdrawal of all six of his challengers.

The campaign and election proceedings were marred by violence, contributing to a low voter turnout.

Nkurunziza continued to face criticism in his second term over his administration’s treatment of the media and response to public dissent. Currently he is being condemned for his desire to stand for a third term as president in the 2015 election. This development is frowned at by many, including some within his own party as the see it as violation of the country’s constitution as well as the Arusha Agreement that had paved the way to ending Burundi’s civil war. Nkurunziza’s supporters argue that the two-term limit stipulated in both documents was not yet applicable because he has been directly elected only

6 I May 16 - 31 2015

once as his first term was by Parliament.

They argue that it should not be counted. Nkurunziza’s plan to stand for president in the June 2015 election, confirmed in late April by the CNDD-FDD, have led to many large-scale demonstrations with protesters calling for him to abandon his bid for a third term.

The public protests often lead to clashes with the police and harsh responses from the government, alarming many in Burundi as well as the international community.

He was popular than all his predecessors, as all the peoples in

News/Africaworldforum

ence Burundi?

As for myself I would say yes, why? We have seen it elsewhere in the region.

Today’s Rwandan authorities were part Where does Burunof Museven’s rebel How popular are the dians in diaspora group and governstand? opposition? ment before coming back to rule in The opposition is so As far as I am conpopular in Burundi in cerned, Burundians in Rwanda. See what is happening in DRC, a way that the second diaspora are as firm whereby the latter as the protesters in term was not supthe country; we stand is being invaded. posed to be won if in position to protect Due to it’s problem the opposition was not driven away and the constitution and with Interahamwe, Rwanda accuse it of threaten to be killed. the Arusha accord everything, including As for the 2015 elec- that brought peace killing the protesters and trust among all tions, the Burundi in Burundi. This is a opposition has gone Burundians. We will not love to see thou- reason to invade the even stronger. They country. have joined together sand of Burundians flee the country as to fight a common Where does the army we did in the pass. enemy. Fortunately, We want peace as it is stand?

Hutu and the Tutsi applicable in Europe. The army is neutral are in a coalition. for now, although Does Rwanda influLook at the protests the country loved him; they only came to dislike him because of his decision to run for the third term.

that were being organized by the opposition, though they are getting killed daily but it says more.

AfricaWorldnewspaper

we are not that sure about days to come.

The Army is a mixture of the former ruling Tutsi government, the former rebels of CNDD FDD and the former FNL rebels.

We have seen their neutrality in past few demonstrations, but recently, they seem to be up for the government as well.

There is no way the police will kill people and then show up few minute later trying to show people that they trying to protect them. At the beginning of the protest you would see how much protesters appreciated once the army shows up.

AfricaWorldnewspaper

Africaworldforum

May 16 - 31 2015 I 7

8 I May 16 - 31 2015

Africanworldforum

AfricaWorldnewspaper

AfricaWorldnewspaper

Africanworldforum

May 16 - 31 2015 I 9

10 I May 16 - 31 2015

Africanworldforum

AfricaWorldnewspaper

AfricaWorldnewspaper

Africanworldforum

May 16 - 31 2015 I 11

12 I May 16 - 31 2015

Book review

AfricaWorldnewspaper

Book review: Alek, Sudanese refugee to international supermodel – Alek Wek (Virago) Book review by Lan Callagy Alek Wek’s life is a classic tale of rags to riches. But there’s far more to see in her memoirs as the reader will testify.

Alek was born in 1977 from the Dinka tribe, who live in what is now known as South Sudan. She is the seventh of nine siblings and hails from the town of Wau. The lifestyle and customs of the Dinka are brought to our attention early on.

These tribal traditions have stayed with her throughout her life.

Now living in the US, Alek has forged a very successful career for herself in modelling. Striding the catwalks of New York, London, Paris and Rome has made her a fortune. But life wasn’t all as glamorous as this, quite the opposite in fact.

Apart from the grinding poverty the Wek’s endured, Alek had psoriasis to contend with. The young girl says she had a happy childhood – something vital for a person’s development.

But her life was to be cruelly interrupted when military conflict broke out near Wau, her home.

Sharia law was threatening the lives of the South Sudanese.

People were having limbs amputated for allegedly not follow-

ing religious beliefs.

Alek writes: “NonMuslims were given fewer rights and, along with women, were considered second-class citizens.”

The new hard-line regime was imposing itself. Intolerance had become pervasive.

Alek explains the nature of the conflict, which was (and is today) along ethnic lines. One of the saddest parts of her memoir is when she talks of the terrible pain her father was in. He desperately needed a hip replacement, yet this was unforthcoming. Over time his condition worsened and it is heartbreaking to read of his loss of dignity.

Life was getting impossible for the Wek family.

Something had to be done to free them from the severe suffering that had enveloped Wau. The family left their home village and fled. After some time exiled in another village the Wek’s got word that the fighting had eased. It would be safe; they felt, to return to Wau. Despite the obvious trauma Alek was enduring, she is proud of her tribe and gives us an understanding of the Dinka culture.

The love that is present within the Wek family, despite a life of destitution, is touching.

On page 87 Alek writes of the journey back to Wau: “Nearly four weeks passed this way. It was the beginning of the dry season and our days were sunnier, with more fruits and edible plants along the trail. In some ways the walk was much easier, but my father and sister were in such pain it took us twice as long to walk home from the village as it had to get there.

My sister could still keep walking all day, albeit slowly, but my father was now at the point where he’d have to stop in the middle of the day to rest. My mother would sit with him and look him right in the eye to see how bad he was feeling.

I never heard him complain, not once, but she would decide that we’d wait and let him rest for the entire day. We would spend the night where he’d stopped. He really felt like he was letting us down.” Anyone who has experienced parental love will surely be moved by that last passage.

Arriving in Wau, the Wek’s were shocked.

They discovered the total devastation of their native town.

This was the catalyst in forcing the family to go on the move once again. This time the destination is Khartoum, the Su-

dan’s capital city.

After three months spent in Khartoum, Alek (who went there ahead of the rest of her family) was reunited with the rest of her family. Her father’s continued to deteriorate, despite the move to the capital. No one could help him, it seemed. Sadly Mr Wek was not able to get the medical attention he so desperately needed and we are told of his tragic death at the age of roughly 56. Understandably this shook the young Alek, but she and her family had no choice but to move on.

Still stuck in Khartoum, the plan was for the family to leave the Sudan for a better life abroad. The next phase of Alek’s life would take her to another, more distant part of the world - London. The first thing that Alek needed, so as to make the move a reality, was a valid passport. The beautiful woman planned to resume her education, and start a new life in the British capital. Departures are always moving occasions. It must have been gut wrenching for Alek as she left her mother and other family members to board a jet bound for a new country many thousands of miles away.

However she was leaving a country of

war and intolerance.

Her future simply had to get better.

On arrival in London, Alek went to live with her sister, Athieng, in her apartment.

Initially life was difficult, but in time she overcame this and grew increasingly confident in her new surroundings. In 1994 Alek was given a scholarship to the London Institute of Art. Now her life was about to change for the better. The cold London air made it hard, but she persevered and took up a variety of jobs including working as a toilet cleaner (at the BBC) and at a hair salon.

After some time Alek, who had been joined in England by her mother by then, was approached by a modelling agency.

From there on nothing would be the same. At first the Dinka girl was hesitant with the whole idea of being a model, but this changed as her mother’s attitude softened towards

AfricaWorldnewspaper

seeing her daughter being photographed so publicly. As time went on Alek was getting more work and her modelling work soon led to another departure, this time to New York.

Once ensconced in her career as a model in the ‘big apple’, Alek was making a good living and getting to know the ropes.

She had ‘arrived’ and one of the highlights must have been the first black model to appear on the cover of Elle Magazine. She also worked with Karl Lagerfeld, among

Book review

other exciting people in the world of fashion modelling.

The book basically comes to an end with Alek’s success. As mentioned earlier, her story is one of going from rags to riches. The girl from Wau had travelled, literally and figuratively, a massive distance.

Reading her story was a pleasure but there was much sadness running through its pages.

Alek had lots of pain in her life: leaving her home town and, later, her country. The industrious nature of

African immigrants has often struck me.

They often have to endure great challenges and overcome many hurdles that people in ‘the West’, including myself, only read about.

The discipline and hardworking nature of Alek obviously stood to her. Having a cool head has allowed her to thrive in America – the land of the dollar. She has even set up her own business manufacturing handbags.

Today the Sudan is in a terrible state.

Last month The

Book review: ‘Tsotsi’

by Athol Fugard (Canongate) The time before 1994 was bleak in South Africa. Black people had to carry passes to be allowed to travel around. They were second class citizens in a country ruled by white supremacists.

This oppression forms the background to Athol Fugard’s fascinating novel, Tsotsi.

The lead character in the book is, Tsotsi (the name means a gangster who is imbued with a particular nastiness). He surrounds himself with an assortment of ruffians: Boston , Die App and Butcher.

Early on the reader is left in no doubt of the thuggery displayed

by Tsotsi and his small gang of criminals. The brutal killing of Gumboot Dhlamini is described in graph-

ic detail. Fugard is determined to chill us to the bone with Tsotsi’s evil intent. He comes across as studiously evil in fact.

A sad aspect to the violence that Tsotsi generates is the lack of interest, the indifference of the white rulers. It seems they were quite happy to wash their hands of crime in the black townships as long as it didn’t affect them.

A black underclass was allowed to develop. Fugard presents this image as he vividly describes all the characters – offenders and victims alike – in the novel.

Tsotsi is a thinker and a plotter. ‘What will be my next job?’ you can almost hear him think. Butcher, Boston and Die App all

hang on Tsotsi’s word, like they are loitering with a sting of menace about them.

For me this book really comes to life when we are introduced to Morris Tsabalala. This man is a former miner who is left crippled in a work accident. I felt myself feeling sorry for this character who is forced to drag himself around the streets by his blistered hands. Tsabalala is involved in a ‘cat and mouse’ with Tsotsi – the hunter and the hunted – and it is brilliantly described

by Fugard. The reader is given an account of every twist and turn as the disabled fellow does everything he physically can to avoid confrontation.

The suspense here is gripping.

May 16 - 31 2015 I 13

Guardian’s Sam Jones reported from the country: “Tens of thousands have been killed, 1.1 million people – more than half of them children – have been displaced, almost five million are in dire need of humanitarian assistance and predictions of famine in some areas look increasingly likely to be fulfilled. Although the third and latest ceasefire appears to be holding in many areas, rivers remain unfished and crops unharvested. Unicef, the UN children’s

agency, estimates 50,000 children could die from malnutrition and warns of the loss of an entire generation of South Sudanese youth.”

I am sure many in the Sudan would like to escape for a better life in a more peaceful part of the world, just like Alek Wek. Her book is not only inspirational but a testament as to how life in ‘the West’ differs from that of Africa. Reading this memoir was an education as well as a pleasure.

Tsabalala is easy prey for Tsotsi, or so the young man thinks.

The cripple has some money collected so as to feed himself but he can’t rest as Tsotsi is watching his every move. The reader is made painfully aware of Tsabalala’s vulnerabilities. At every point you feel Tsotsi is going to pounce and move in on his victim.

However this is not what happens.

Astonishingly, when he finally confronts Tsabalala, Tsotsi shows mercy. A turning point has been reached. The handicapped man is let go amid his great relief.

Further on we are given another example of Tsotsi’s caring side. A baby suddenly appears in a shoebox and the young reprobate becomes aware of his responsibilities to the new-born.

Through a series of unexplained events,

Tsotsi finds himself lumbered with the task of caring for the baby.

The central theme of Fugard’s gripping novel is that even the most vicious of thugs has the capacity to show love, believe it or not. I found the book a challenging read as I find non-fiction more stimulating than reading fiction.

However this classic from the South African writer, now in his 80’s deserves to be read by everyone. It has since been made into a film directed by Gavin Hood. Through its bleak pages a story is told that mustn’t be forgotten.

The cruelty of Apartheid ate up and spat out many lives. Tsotsi is testament to that cruelty. Everyone has a heart and that’s the message I got from reading this book.

Humanity comes in different forms.

14 I May 16 - 31 2015

Africaworldforum

HISTORY OF PAN AFRICANISM: A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA

By Adeyemi Adeleye Tunwase

ideology which posits that all Africans and Lovers of Africa both ABSTRACT: home and abroad, The above topic is regardless of colour, aimed at critically age, sex or economic studying the concept status and political of Pan Africanism in affiliations should Nigeria and also to or may unite on the unravell the mystries platform of African behind the track reLiberation to profer a cord of Pan Africaism lasting solution to the in Nigeria. This study African Predicament seeks to bring about in the face of rapid a thorough scruGlobalization. tiny on the rhetorical - Adeleye events, present situations and possible “Pan-Africanism is future prospects for also an ideology and the sustainability of movement that enPan Africanism and courages the solidarthe challenges it had ity of Africans worldbeen confronted wide. It is based on with, lastly offering the belief that unity possible remedies to is vital to economic, promote the growth social, and political of pan africanism in progress and aims the country. to “unify and uplift” Moreso; the study people of African shall attempt to care- descent. The ideology fully analyse the seasserts that the fate quence of several pan of all African peoples african events of the and countries are incountry in reference tertwined. At its core to the total struggle Pan-Africanism is “a for the emancipation belief that African of Africa and parpeoples, both on the ticularly Nigeria have continent and in the undergone in the Diaspora, share not attempt to reedeem merely a common the almost extermihistory, but a comnated African glories mon destiny” of pan african en- Wikipedia deavours. Furtherly, we shall proceed by OVERVIEW OF PAN conceptualising the AFRICANISM: topic in the followPan-Africanism stressing manner below es the need for “colfor easy collation of lective self-reliance”. notable data and Pan-Africanism exists identification of coas a governmental gent points: and grassroots objective. Pan-African DEFINITION OF THE advocates include TERM: leaders such as Haile Pan Africanism is the Selassie, Ahmed

Sekou Toure, Kwame Nkrumah and Muammar Gaddafi, grassroots organizers such as Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X, academics such as W. E. B. Du Bois, and others in the diaspora. Solidarity will enable selfreliance, allowing the continent’s potential to independently provide for its people to be fulfilled. Crucially, an all-African alliance would empower African people globally.

AfricaWorldnewspaper

continent. Critics accuse the ideology of homogenizing the experience of people of African descent.

They also point to the difficulties of reconciling current divisions within countries on the continent and within communities in the diaspora.

- Wikipedia

was recalled to England, where he was trained as a minister and ordained by the bishop of London. He returned to Africa in 1843 and with Henry Townsend, opened a mission in Abeokuta, in today’s Ogun State, Nigeria.

Crowther began translating the Bible ORIGIN OF PAN AFRI- into the Yoruba language and compiling CANISM IN NIGERIA a Yoruba dictionary.

THE PRECOLONIAL In 1843, a grammar ERA book which he started working on during SAMUEL AJAYI CROWTHER AND THE the Niger expedition BRITISH EXPEDITION was published; and a Yoruba version of OF 1841: Biography: The Right the Anglican Book of Common Prayer folReverend Samuel The realization of the lowed later. Crowther Ajayi Crowther D.D. Pan-African objective also compiled A (c. 1809 – 31 Dewould lead to “power vocabulary of the cember 1891) was a consolidation in Aflinguist and the first Yoruba language, inrica”, which “would African Anglican bish- cluding a large numcompel a reallocation op in Nigeria. Born in ber of local proverbs, of global resources, published in London Osogun (in today’s as well as unleashIseyin Local Govern- on 1852. He also being a fiercer psychoment, Oyo State, Ni- gan codifying other logical energy and geria), Crowther was languages. Followpolitical assertion... ing the British Niger a Yoruba man who that would unsettle Expeditions of 1854 also identified with social and political Sierra Leone’s ascen- and 1857, Crowther (power) structures... produced a primer dant Creole ethnic in the Americas”. for the Igbo language group.

United, African nain 1857, another for tions will have the the Nupe language in Mission: Crowther economic, political 1860, and a full gramwas selected to acand social clout to mar and vocabulary company the misact and compete on of Nupe in 1864. sionary James Fredthe world stage as do - Wikipedia erick Schön on the other large entities, Niger expedition such as the European He served as a great of 1841. Together Union and the United instrument of modwith Schön, he was States. ern slavery (missionexpected to learn Hausa for use on the ary and colonisation) Advocates of Panexpedition. The goal in breaking the comAfricanism – i.e. of the expedition was munication barrier “Pan-Africans” or to spread commerce, between colonial“Pan-Africanists” ists, missionarists teach agricultural often champion soand the indegenous techniques, spread cialist principles and Christianity, and help inhabitants of the tend to be opposed West Coast Region end the slave trade. to external politiof Africa. ConsiderFollowing the excal and economic ing the controversial pedition, Crowther involvement on the

AfricaWorldnewspaper

circumstances precipitating his participation in the british expedition, he could not have done better than he had if only he knew or forsaw the consequencies of his noble decisions to negotiate a freedom cause for his race.

- Adeleye

Africaworldforum

ton, Texas, Detroits, Virginia Islands, Cuba, Mexico, Brazil, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobego, St Dominican Republic, lastly Canada and Jamaica).

- Adeleye

THE ARRIVAL OF MARTIN DELANY 1856: Biography: Martin THE 1861 CESESSION Robison Delany (May OF THE EKO TERRI6, 1812 – January 24, TORY: 1885) was an AfricanThe cesession of American abolitionist, the EKO territory by journalist, physician, Oba Dosunmu to and writer, arguably the british consulate the first proponent at about the paltry of black nationalsum of (GB2000) ism; Martin Delany marked the era of is considered to be british influence on the grandfather of the native people of Black nationalism.

Lagos from the origi- He was also one of nal tribe of Yoruba the first three blacks Kingdom tribe and admitted to Harvard Edo (Benin) Kingdom. Medical School. So he This political decison returned to writing, gave the british mer- publishing The Origin chants more power and Objects of Anto actually preside in cient Freemasonry; Its the native domains.

Introduction into the Several exchange of United States and Lesocio-cultural ideas gitimacy Among Coltranspired which ored Men and prior to are the major events that, The Condition, which witnessed the Elevation, Emigration native rulers partici- and Destiny of the pating in the slavery. Colored People of the Many of the then United States PoEko (Lagos) citizens litically Considered, a were exchanged for treatise that explored several commercial the option of blacks or political gains, returning to their natransported from the tive Africa. soil of motherland (Benin, Eko, Badagry, Mission: This promptCalabar, Elkanemi, ed a trip to Nigeria Bene, Togo , Gold in the mid-1850s to Coast, Upper Volta) negotiate land for to the far reaching African-American continents of the emigrants, as well world i.e. Europe as exploring Central (Britain, Ireland, Ger- America and Canada many, France, Italy, as options. Delany etc...), USA (Maryland, wrote about what he Georgia, New York, found there as well Akansas, Washingas a novel, Blake: Or

the Huts of America.

However, in the face of competition from the White-led American Colonization Society, Delany had to abandon plans for a large-scale expedition. West Indian RobertCampbell, his sole expedition colleague, left before Delany, and consulted British cottongrowers before sailing on to Lagos. On learning this, Delany left immediately for West Africa. After a five-week stay in Liberia during which he changed his mind about the settlers there, he left for Lagos, where, after lengthy discussions with the men of importance and the ruler, he was granted a 330 sq. footplot of ground. Delany finally caught up with Campbell in Abeokuta in November 1859.

May 16 - 31 2015 I 15

and obtained similar agreements. They then travelled to Britain, where they were positively received.

Both men wrote accounts of their journey; Delany’s Official Report of the Niger Valley Exploring Party, was published in both London and New York in 1861. It is a very respectful account of the peoples whose countries he travelled through, their agriculture, animal husbandry and implements; their industriousness and affability. Towns and markets he found to be ‘orderly and well regulated’.

in all her relations … politically and commercially … Africa [is] for the African race …’

However, Delany’s plans were doomed to failure. Anglican missionaries in Abeokuta, fearful of the presence of educated African Americans, persuaded the Alake (king) that he should deny signing an agreement with Delany. With the outbreak of the American Civil War, the British became fearful of their source of raw cotton drying up, and sought to advance cottongrowing along the Slavery existed he Niger. The first step noted, but of a totally was the deposition different kind to that of the Docemo (ruler) in European colonies: of Lagos in 1862. As the enslaved were the British now ruled prisoners-of-war and Lagos, the Alake had criminals, and were little option but to not too harshly treat- bow to their influed and were usually ence. This led Delany The two men had eventually freed. It to wonder if there extensive discuswas ‘Protestant kings was any difference sions with the Alake and Protestant misbetween the British Okukenu of Abeosionaries’ on the and the Americans: kuta, who agreed to coast who were the the ‘great powers’ admit a limited num- ‘most cruel opprespolicy is changed ber of settlers and sors’ (p.50). The Afrifrom that of abject to grant them equal cans, Delany noted, slavery to reducing rights. The settlers wondered what the them to political dehad to respect Ebga use was of the book- pendents’ (Sterling, laws, the Alake speci- learning and ‘civilisa- p.224). fied. They were to tion’ being brought - Wikipedia bring ‘a knowledge of to them by the misthe arts and sciences, sionaries, if power KING JAJA OF OPOBO agriculture and other can only belong to AND THE BRITISH mechanic and inthe White man? ‘AfEXPEDITION : dustrial occupations’. rica is our fatherland’, Biography: (Jubo With financial aid Delany wrote, and Jubogha; 1821–1891) mainly from the Brit- must be ‘regenerated. was a merchant ish Anti-Slavery SoHer position among prince and the ciety and the Cotton the existing nations founder of Opobo Supply Association will depend mainly city-state in an area of Manchester, the upon the high stanthat is now part of two men then toured dard she may gain Nigeria. Born in Umuother Yoruba cities, compared with them duruoha, Amaigbo,

16 I May 16 - 31 2015

Africaworldforum

in the West Indies. a ceremony immorPlans were also made talising Jaja as a deity. for him to be relocat- - Wikipedia ed to Barbados.

THE NEMBE-BRITISH In 1891, Jaja was REVOLT 1895: granted permission After 1884, the to return to Opobo, Nembe kingdom was but died en route, included in the area allegedly poisoned over which the British with a cup of tea. Fol- claimed sovereignty lowing his exile and as the Oil Rivers Prodeath, the power of tectorate. The Nemthe Opobo state rap- be, who by now conidly declined. trolled the palm oil trade, at first refused Jaja eventually won to sign a treaty, and his liberty after years fought to prevent the of fighting against his Royal Niger Company wrongful abduction, obtaining a trade and it was agreed by monopoly. In JanuParliament that he ary 1895 the Nembe could be repatriated King William Koko to Opobo. Jaja was by led a dawn attack of then an old man and more than a thouafter years in exile his sand warriors on the health had deteriocompany’s headquarrated. He embarked ters at Akassa, with on a British vessel no European casualbound for Opobo, ties. This triggered but his health contin- a retaliatory raid in ued to fail and on his which the British Opobo soon came to At the 1884 Berlin dominate the region’s Conference, however, way back Jaja died. destroyed the town His body was shipped of Brass and slaughlucrative palm oil the other European instead to Tenerife in tered four thousand trade, and was soon powers designated home to fourteen of Opobo as British ter- the Canary Islands, Nembe. Many more what were formerly ritory, and the British where he was buried. Nembe died from an Bonny’s eighteen soon moved to claim The anger and fury outbreak of smallpox. trade houses. Jaja it. When Jaja refused felt by his people due The British later esto the chain of events tablished a consulate also moved to block to cease taxing Britthat had preceded, the access of British ish traders, Henry in Twon-Brass, from compelled many merchants to the in- Hamilton Johnston, where they adminterior, giving him an a British vice consul, Opobians to press istered the area. Tratheir demands for the ditional rulers were effective monopoly; invited Jaja to nebody of their king, at times, Opobo even gotiations in 1887. reinstalled in the which was promptly 1920s, but with an shipped palm oil When Jaja arrived, exhumed and trans- essentially symbolic directly to Liverpool, the British arrested ported back to independent of Brit- him and tried him role which they retain Opobo for Jaja to be today. ish middlemen. in Accra in the Gold buried there. Many of - Wikipedia - Wikipedia Coast (now Ghana) then took him to Lon- his people had never given up hope that THE CREATION OF don for some time, THE EXILE OF KING ROYAL NIGER COMwhere he met Queen one day their much KOKO “MINGI VIII OF PANY AND THE EXILE Victoria and was her loved and powerful NEMBE” (1853–1898): king (Amayanabo) OF KING JAJA OPOguest in BuckingKnown as King Koko would return, and BO: ham Palace. After and King William In 1884, the some other turbulent after his body was Koko, was an African returned he was hon- ruler of the Nembe europe(Britain, Gerhistory,[clarification oured with two years Kingdom (also known many and France and needed] he was exof mourning and with as Nembe-Brass) in Poland) all met in Ber- iled to Saint Vincent in Igboland, he was sold at about the age of twelve as a slave in Bonny. Jubo Jubogha later took the name “Jaja” for his dealings with the British.

lin to scramble for the divide of the continent and its endownment. In 1895 The Royal Niger Company treaty was established by the british merchants to secure Mission: Jaja proved the ability to involve his aptitude for busi- or rather control local ness at an early age, trade of commercial earning his way out resources. For the first of slavery; he was time It represented enculturated accord- the administrative ing to Ijaw (Ibani) hub of their ill sociorituals and eventually political and economestablished himself ic intensions. In this as head of the Anna era, british merchants Pepple House. Unparticipated in the der Jaja’s leadership, exchange of ridicuAnna Pepple soon lous objects (mirror, absorbed a numumbrella, bycicle, ber of Bonny’s other combs and compass) trade houses until an for natural resources ongoing dispute with i.e. palm oil, palm the Manilla Pepple kernel, timber, palm House led by Oko trees, cocoa, rubber, Jumbo forced Jaja to bittlemen, charcoal, break away as Opobo and coconut shells) city-state in 1869. etc.

AfricaWorldnewspaper

the Niger Delta, now part of southern Nigeria.A Christian when chosen as king of Nembe in 1889, Koko’s attack on a Royal Niger company trading post in January 1895 led to reprisals by the British in which his capital was sacked. Following a report on the Nembe uprising by Sir John Kirk which was published in March 1896, Koko was offered a settlement of his grievances but found the terms unacceptable, so was deposed by the British. He died in exile in 1898.

- Wikipedia THE BRITISH INVASION OF THE BENIN KINGDOM 1897: This political upheaval marked the begning of a general resistance from the Benin Kingdom which was then one of the most civilised socities in Africa and the globe at large. With the refusal of Oba Ovorahawen to accept the religion of christianity which was then presented to him by deception at first, claiming its was meant to strenghten the ties between the two socities, later turned out to be the greatest challenge that befell the benin kingdom.

The King then presented her daughter to the british queen and she was re located to England to be indoctrinated.

- Adeleye THE NATIONALISTS STRUGGLES FOR IN-

AfricaWorldnewspaper

DEPENDENCE 19141960: In this part of the write up, we shall giving considerations to the accounts of several Nationalists in relation to struggle for indepence and Pan Africanism. In Nigeria, during the race for Self Government, National Leaders, except for some few ones, were more focused on the Nationalists aspect of Pan Africanism rather displaying the overall character of a True Pan Africanist.

ERNEST IKOLI AND THE CREATION OF THE NIGERIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT 1923: Biography: He was Born at Nembe in present day Bayelsa State and educated at Bonny Government School, Rivers State and King’s College, Lagos. After completing his studies at King’s College, he became a tutor at the school - a post which he left to pursue a career in journalism.

Ikoli is remembered today as one of the pacesetters of Nigerian journalism and the independence struggle. For a period he worked at the Lagos Weekly Record, a paper that has since disappeared.

He was the first editor of the Daily Times of Nigeria, which was launched in June 1926 with Adeyemo Alakija as Chairman of the Board. He later became publisher of the now defunct African Messenger.

Africaworldforum

In the 1930s he was one of the founders of the Nigerian Youth Movement and was once the movement’s president. During this period, the movement was engaged in an intense power struggle with Herbert Macaulay’s NNDP. In 1942 he was elected onto the Legislative Council and was reelected in 1946.

didate to contest the seat. In the primary election, Samuel Akisanya collated the most votes, second was Ernest Ikoli, but with the support of H.O Davis, Awolowo, Akintola and a few others, the central committee of the organization which had the right to review the results presented Ernest Ikoli as the movement’s candidate. Though, Oba Akisanya immediately congratulated Mr Ikoli, he later reneged and contested but lost the seat as an independent candidate with the support of his primary backer, Nnamdi Azikiwe. The loss of Akisanya in the election led to his exit from the movement, Azikiwe also left the movement, both took away most of their supporters. The resulting feud is seen by some analysts as a contributing catalyst to the enmity that exist between some ethnic groups in the country and also as a major focal point of electoral disputes and the ominous role they played in destabilizing the country.

- Wikipedia

Mission: Ernest Ikoli started the Nigerian Youth Movement with other prominent Nigerians like Hezekiah Oladipo Davies, James Churchill Vaughan and Oba Samuel Akisanya (aka General Saki). The movement originally started as the Lagos youth movement, it was partly formed to voice concerns about the lackluster colonial higher education policy. The movement was largely Lagos based but as varied members entered the organization, it metamorphosed to become the Nigerian Youth Movement; a political action group with a nationalistic flavor and outlook.

Nnamdi Azikiwe, an important political personality joined the group in 1936 and brought in a large fol- HERBERT MACAULAY lowership.

AND THE CREATION OF NDDP (1923) & In 1941, when Sir NCNC (1944): Kofo Abayomi, a Biography: Olayinka Lagos leader of the Macaulay Badmus movement, resigned was born in Lagos on his position at the November 14, 1864 legislative council, to Thomas Babington an election was held Macaulay and Abigail among NYM memCrowther, children bers to select a canof people captured

May 16 - 31 2015 I 17

from what is now present day Nigeria, resettled in Sierra Leone by the British West Africa Squadron, and eventual returnees to present day Nigeria. Thomas Babington Macaulay is one of the sons of Ojo Oriare while Abigail Crowther is the daughter of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther. Thomas Babington Macaulay was the founder of the first secondary school in Nigeria, the CMS Grammar School, Lagos. After going to a Christian missionary school, he took a job as a clerk at the Lagos Department of Public Works.

From 1891 to 1894 he studied civil engineering in Plymouth, England. On his return, he worked for the Crown as a land inspector. He left his position in 1898 due to growing distaste for the British rule over the Lagos Colony and the position of Yorubaland and the Niger Coast Protectorate as British colonies in all but name.

Mission: Herbert Macaulay was an unlikely champion of the masses. A grandson of Ajayi Crowther, the first African bishop of the Niger Territory, he was born into a Lagos that was divided politically into groups arranged in a convenient pecking order – the British rulers who lived in the posh Marina district, the Saros and other slave

descendants who lived to the west, and the Brazilians who lived behind the whites in the Portuguese Town. Behind all three lived the real Lagosians, the masses of indigenous Yoruba people, disliked and generally ignored by their privileged neighbours. It was not until Macaulay’s generation that the Saros and Brazilians even began to contemplate making common cause with the masses.

Macaulay was one of the first Nigerian nationalists and for most of his life a strong opponent of British rule in Nigeria. As a reaction to claims by the British that they were governing with “the true interests of the natives at heart”, Macaulay wrote: “The dimensions of “the true interests of the natives at heart” are algebraically equal to the length, breadth and depth of the whiteman’s pocket.”

In 1908 he exposed European corruption in the handling of railway finances and in 1919 he argued successfully for the Chiefs whose land had been taken by the British in front of the Privy Council in London. As a result, the colonial government was forced to pay compensation to the chiefs. In retaliation for this and other activities of his, Macaulay got jailed twice by the British.

18 I May 16 - 31 2015

Macaulay became very popular and on June 24, 1923, he founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), the first Nigerian political party. The party won all the seats in the elections of 1923, 1928 and 1933.

Towards the end: In 1944 Macaulay cofounded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) together with Nnamdi Azikiwe and became its president.

The NCNC was a patriotic organization designed to bring together Nigerians of all stripes to demand independence.[5] In 1946 Macaulay fell ill in Kano and later died in Lagos. The leadership of the NCNC went to Azikiwe, who later became the first president of Nigeria.

Macaulay was buried at Ikoyi Cemetery in Lagos on May 11, 1946. Nnamdi Azikiwe delivered a funeral oration at Macaulay’s burial ceremony.

- Wikipedia

Africaworldforum

Columbia University; Mission: Became first Nigerian to study in United States, 1925; served as instructor at Lincoln University, 1931-34; became editor of African Morning Post, Ghana, 1934; founded West African Pilot, Nigeria, 1937; helped found National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), 1944; served as president of NCNC, 1946-60; became member of Nigerian legislative council, 1947; elected to Eastern Region Assembly of Nigeria, 1953; became premier of the Eastern Region Assembly, 1954; became president of the Nigerian senate, 1959; became governor-general of Nigeria, 1960; served as president of Nigerian republic, 196366.

- Wikipedia

us witlessly from our original goal of racial emancipation, to a formless, rhetorical and tedious sin-song about the working class uniting to over throw the nebulous bourgeois. The truth of the matter is that traditional African politics is not homogeneous and there is no reason why the fortunes of a whole race of people should be condemned to the status of the working class for ever. A billion virile, determined and ambitious people scattered all over the economies of the world can not and must not be restricted from reaching even beyond the stars.

AfricaWorldnewspaper

throughout Africa.

Armed uprising in Kenya and Algeria, mass nationalist parties in Zaire, Ghana and Nigeria etc. This phase of the struggle led to Ghana’s independence in March, 1957, under the leadership of Kwame Nkrumah.

Ghana’s example electrified the African world resulting in scores of free African countries between 1960 and 1963.

- Wikipedia

African Nationalists (Kwame Nkurumah, Nnamdi Azikwe, Sekou Toure, etc...) first came in contact with their Diaspora Counterparts attending the 5th Pan African Congress in the year 1957. This reunion That fortunately is the ushered a new bekind of positive and gining into the total forthright posture emancipation of the that informed the continent from the broad activities of the hands of the colonial team of George Pad- dominations. more, C.L.R. James, Kwame Nkrumah THE 5TH PAN AFRIANTHONY ENAHOand others at the CAN CONGRESS OF RO’S DECLARATION fifth congress on the FOR INDEPENCE IN 1945: issue of our indepen- 1953: The congress, held dence. They not only Biography: Anthony in Manchester in 1945, coincided with demanded immedi- Enahoro (22nd July ate independence for 1923-15th December the second conferall African countries, 2010) was one of NiNNAMDI AZIKWE ence of the World they threatened to AND THE CREATION Federation of Trade geria’s foremost antiOF NCNC: unions, thus enabling use every means, colonial and pro-deincluding violence if mocracy activists. He Biography: Born Ben- several trade union necessary, to achieve was born the eldest jamin Azikiwe on delegates from the their aims. Kwame November 16, 1904, African world to atof twelve children in Nkrumah, Jomo in Zungeru, Nigeria; tend and broaden Uromi in the present Kenyatta, Nnamdi died 1996; married the narrow intellecEdo State of Nigeria.

Azikiwe who was rep- His Esan parents were Flora Ogbenyeanu tual base of the Pan Ogoegbunam, 1936; African Congress for resented and many Anastasius Okotako other potential Africhildren: three sons, the first time. It, of Enahoro (d.1968) can leaders left the one daughter. Educa- course, also helped and Fidelia Inibokun congress determined née Ogbidi Okojie (d. tion: Lincoln Univer- to lock Pan Africansity, B.A, 1930; Univer- ism more firmly into to do battle with our 1969). Chief Enahoro sity of Pennsylvania, the Marxist – socialist colonisers. Out-break has had a long and M.A. Attended How- politics of the union- of mass anti-colonial distinguished career ard University and ists, thereby diverting struggle followed in the press, politics,

the civil service and the pro-democracy movement. Educated at the Government School Uromi, Government School Owo and King’s College, Lagos, Chief Enahoro became the editor of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s newspaper, the Southern Nigerian Defender, Ibadan, in 1944 at the age of 21, thus becoming Nigeria’s youngest editor ever. He later became the editor of Zik’s Comet, Kano, 194549, also associate editor West African Pilot, Lagos, editor-in-chief Morning Star, 195053.

Mission: Chief Anthony Enahoro’s attempt to move the motion for Nigeria’s independence in 1953 failed.

His motion was rejected by Parliament and the northern MP’s actually staged a walkout as a consequence of the attempt. The successful movement of the motion for Nigeria’s independence did not take place until 1958.After Enahoro’s initial attempt in 1953, Chief S.L. Akintola attempted to move the second motion for Nigeria’s independence in 1957 and though his motion was passed by Parliament it was not acquiesced to by the British colonial authorities and it therefore failed. The successful moving of the motion for Nigeria’s independence did not take place until August 1958 and this

AfricaWorldnewspaper

was done by Chief Remi Fani-Kayode.

Fani-Kayode’s motion was not only passed

by Parliament but it was also acquiesced to by the British. His motion had called for independence to be granted to Nigeria on April 2nd 1960 and though it was passed by Parliament and acquiesed to by the British a slight amendment proposing that the month of independence should be moved from April 2nd to October 1st was proposed by a fourth motion to Parliament by Sir Tafawa Balewa in 1959 and it was passed.As a consequence of that Nigeria gained her independence in 1960.

- Wikipedia

Africaworldforum

THE ARRIVAL OF OMOWALE OMOWUNMI (MALCOM X) IN NIGERIA 1964: The Nigerian Nation became republican in the year 1963 creating moreavenue to for the people to convene on the basis of ethnic majority. A strong proponent of muslim and African militancy had arrived in Nigeria to unite with the native people of Ibadan. Malcom visited the University of Ibadan, meeting the with several students and accademicians.

This event witnesed the “Muslim Student Societ of Nigeria” (MSSN) rechristening Malcom X with the Native name Omowale meaning the ‘return of the child’.

ROCENTRISM: Biography: The Legendary Afro-Beatz King and Political Gladiator of Afrikan Liberation born in Abeokuta to the The Randsome Kuti familys. Fela developed the habit for music but His noble father whom was then an Educationist had wanted Fela to study Law in the United Kingdom but on getting there Fela changed his discipline into Music and thats how he started the Musical Crusade to instrumentalise African Developments.

many wives (polygyny) and the Kalakuta Republic was formed in part as a polygamist colony. He defended his stance on polygyny with the words: “A man goes for many women in the first place. Like in Europe, when a man is married, when the wife is sleeping, he goes out and f***s around. He should bring the women in the house, man, to live with him, and stop running around the streets!”[17] His views towards women are characterized by some as misogynist, with songs like Mission: Kuti thought “Mattress” typically the most important cited as evidence[18] way for Africans to In a more complex fight European culexample, he mocks tural imperialism the aspiration of was to support traAfrican women to POST COLONIAL ERA ditional African reliEuropean standards AND FLAGGED INgions and lifestyles. of ladyhood while DEPENDENCE 1960- THE MILITARY AND The American Black extolling the values 1963: PAN AFRICANISM: Power movement of the market woman In 1960, Nigeria On the 15th of Janu- also influenced Fela’s in his song “Lady”. gained indepenary 1966, the Nigeri- political views; he dence from their an Military led by Gen was a supporter of In the 1970s, Kuti colonial tomentors Aguyi Ironsi seized Pan-Africanism and began buying adverthere by paving way power from the resocialism, and called tising space in daily for self-government publican government for a united, demoand weekly newsin Nigeria. This set of with the republican cratic African repub- papers such as The Nationalists (Nnamdi constitution immedi- lic. He was a candid Daily Times and The Azikwe, Anthony Ena- ately being suspend- supporter of human Punch in order to run horo, Herbert Maca- ed and jettisoned rights, and many of outspoken political lay, Obafemi Awolo- only for the Supreme his songs are direct columns, bypasswo, Ahmadu Bello Military Councils attacks against dicta- ing editorial cenand Tafawa Balewa) to take charge and torships, specifically sorship in Nigeria’s were all representing act in place of the the militaristic govpredominantly state the Nigerian Parliar- supended parliaernments of Nigeria controlled media. mentary System, and mentary constituin the 1970s and Published throughfor the first time, the tion. The military 1980s. He was also out the 1970s and people of Nigeria had displayed one of a social commentaearly 1980s under the came together under its chronic and intor, and he criticized title Chief Priest Say, an umbrella to disdespensable features his fellow Africans these columns were cuss issues of Nation- which is overzealous- (especially the upper essentially extenal Interests. ness in its carrier and class) for betraying sions of Kuti’s famous quest to capture the traditional African Yabi Sessions—conREPUBLICANISM AND political power. culture. The African sciousness-raising PAN AFRICANISM culture he believed in word-sound rituals, 1963-1966: FELA KUTI AND AFalso included having with himself as chief

May 16 - 31 2015 I 19

priest, conducted at his Lagos nightclub.

Organized around a militantly Afrocentric rendering of history and the essence of black beauty, Chief Priest Say focused on the role of cultural hegemony in the continuing subjugation of Africans. Kuti addressed a number of topics, from explosive denunciations of the Nigerian Government’s criminal behavior; Islam and Christianity’s exploitative nature, and evil multinational corporations; to deconstructions of Western medicine, Black Muslims, sex, pollution, and poverty. Chief Priest Say was cancelled, first by Daily Times then by Punch, ostensibly due to nonpayment, but many commentators[who?] have speculated that the paper’s respective editors were placed under increasingly violent pressure to stop publication.

- Wikipedia THE MILITARY INCURSION ON THE KALAKUTA REPUBLIC: After Fela and his band returned to Nigeria, the group was renamed The Afrika ‘70, as lyrical themes changed from love to social issues. He then formed the Kalakuta Republic, a commune, a recording studio, and a home for the many people connected to the band that he later declared independent from the

20 I May 16 - 31 2015

Nigerian state. Fela set up a nightclub in the Empire Hotel, first named the AfroSpot and then the Afrika Shrine, where he both performed regularly and officiated at personalized Yoruba traditional ceremonies in honor of his nation’s ancestral faith. He also changed his middle name to Anikulapo (meaning “He who carries death in his pouch”), stating that his original middle name of Ransome was a slave name.

Africaworldforum

the album Zombie, a scathing attack on Nigerian soldiers using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military. The album was a smash hit and infuriated the government, setting off a vicious attack against the Kalakuta Republic, during which one thousand soldiers attacked the commune. Fela was severely beaten, and his elderly mother was thrown from a window, causing fatal injuries. The Kalakuta Republic was burned, and Fela’s studio, instruments, and master tapes were destroyed. Fela claimed that he would have been killed had it not been for the intervention of a commanding officer as he was being beaten. Fela’s response to the attack was to deliver his mother’s coffin to the Dodan Barracks in Lagos, General Olusegun Obasanjo’s residence, and to write two songs, “Coffin for Head of State” and “Unknown Soldier”, referencing the official inquiry that claimed the commune had been destroyed by an unknown soldier - Wikipedia

Fela’s music was popular among the Nigerian public and Africans in general.

In fact, he made the decision to sing in Pidgin English so that his music could be enjoyed by individuals all over Africa, where the local languages spoken are very diverse and numerous. As popular as Fela’s music had become in Nigeria and elsewhere, it was also very unpopular with the ruling government, and raids on the Kalakuta Republic were frequent.

During 1972, Ginger Baker recorded Stratavarious with Fela appearing alongside Bobby Gass. Around this time, Kuti became even more inFELA KUTI AND POvolved in the Yoruba LITICAL MOBILISAreligion.

TION: Kuti thought the The Kalakuta Repub- most important way lic being burnt by the for Africans to fight NPF and Military in European cultural 1977. imperialism was to In 1977, Fela and the support traditional Afrika ‘70 released African religions and

lifestyles. The American Black Power movement also influenced Fela’s political views; he was a supporter of Pan-Africanism and socialism, and called for a united, democratic African republic. He was a candid supporter of human rights, and many of his songs are direct attacks against dictatorships, specifically the militaristic governments of Nigeria in the 1970s and 1980s. He was also a social commentator, and he criticized his fellow Africans (especially the upper class) for betraying traditional African culture.

The African culture he believed in also included having many wives (polygyny) and the Kalakuta Republic was formed in part as a polygamist colony.

He defended his stance on polygyny with the words: “A man goes for many women in the first place. Like in Europe, when a man is married, when the wife is sleeping, he goes out and f***s around.

He should bring the women in the house, man, to live with him, and stop running around the streets!”

His views towards women are characterized by some as misogynist, with songs like “Mattress” typically cited as evidence. In a more complex example, he mocks the aspiration of African women to European standards of ladyhood while extolling the values

AfricaWorldnewspaper

of the market woman have speculated that the paper’s respecin his song “Lady” tive editors were placed under increasIn the 1970s, Kuti began buying adver- ingly violent pressure to stop publication. tising space in daily - Wikipedia and weekly newspapers such as The THE BLACKS FESTIVAL Daily Times and The Punch in order to run ARTS AND CULTURE OF 1977 (FESTAC 77): outspoken political In 1977, from 15 columns, bypassJanuary to 12 Februing editorial cenary, the Second World sorship in Nigeria’s predominantly state Festival of Black Arts or Black and African controlled media.

Festival of Arts and Published throughCulture - known as out the 1970s and early 1980s under the FESTAC ‘77- took title Chief Priest Say, place in Lagos, Nithese columns were geria, under the patronage of President essentially extensions of Kuti’s famous Olusegun Obasanjo.

Yabi Sessions—con- Attended by more than 17,000 particisciousness-raising pants from over 50 word-sound rituals, with himself as chief countries, it was the priest, conducted at largest cultural event ever held on the his Lagos nightclub.

African continent.

Organized around a militantly Afrocentric The festivals were planned as Pan-Afrirendering of history can celebrations, and and the essence of ranged in content black beauty, Chief Priest Say focused on from performance - particularly dance the role of cultural and theatre - to dehegemony in the continuing subjuga- bate. tion of Africans. Kuti - Wikipedia addressed a number In Nigeria’s National of topics, from exArchives and Diplosive denunciations of the Nigerian rectory, FESTAC 77 Government’s crimi- remains one of the greatest achievement nal behavior; Islam of cultural heritage and Christianity’s and national moment exploitative nature, of historical epoch. and evil multinaAlso this monumentional corporations; tal achievement on to deconstructions the continent furof Western medither represented cine, Black Muslims, the country in good sex, pollution, and poverty. Chief Priest light in unting Africans both home and Say was cancelled, abroad presenting first by Daily Times the participants the then by Punch, ostensibly due to non- opportunity to witness Pan Africanism payment, but many commentators[who?] at its greatest heights

AfricaWorldnewspaper

as Lovers of Africa and Its inhabitant all stormed Lagos Nigeria to have their fair account of the historical event. This is so because it success led to the birth of several norms, traditions, philosophies, socioideologies, acculturisations, public socioeconomic policys, declaration of agency i.e. (Center For Black Arts And Culture) etc which are derivatives of this great afrocentric sucess.

Africaworldforum

it (the group) was meant to serve as a remedy to the African Predicaments especially the issues of social inequality, racial imbalance, socio-economic underdevelopments, poor social infrastructure, end to apartheid rule in South Africa.

of Ibadan, Univeristy of Calabar, Auchi State Polythecnic, Delta State University etc. Years after, the founding fathers and board of the movement made a bold step to register the movement with the Nigeria GovernmentCooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) With the rising conwhich further envigocerns on the status of rated the growth of black man across the the movement. globe, from the tragedy of colonial opCENTER FOR BLACK pression to the ruins ARTS AND CULTURE of aparthy rule that (CBAAC): THE BIRTH OF THE befell our brothers In 1979, The Nigerian NEO BLACK MOVEand sisters in south Government created MENT OF AFRICA: africa, there could be this agency to serve In July 7, 1977, a no more direct apas a means of immornumber of 9 underproach to prevent the talising the (FESTAC graduate students future re-occurence 77). It had done so to from the University of such inhuman secure the continuof Benin, Benin now treatments of Afrious existence of the Edo state convened cans than to create land mark achievedue to the ongoing an intellectually pan ments the event pan africanism trend africanist movement recorded. Its estabwhich was particuwith a little touch of lishment was backed larly influenced by militancy to distill

by Decree 69 of 1979 the (FESTAC 77) to discipline and high and has since been establish a university morales in the youth brought under the based association whom shall find in supervision of the which its two core them the duty to Federal Ministry of objectives were to be: protect the remains Tourism, Culture and 1. The total emanciof Africa from NeoNational Orientation. pation of black man colonial suppression on earth, and and lastly to forestall The Center For Black the total of colapse of Arts and Culture had 2. To bearforth the the continent. It was worked in its given largest black organon these premises capacity to promote isation on planet that the Neo Black socio-cultural heriearth which would Movement was esatge in Nigeria. Since engineer the African tablished. the drafting of the Renaissance. decree in in 1979, the Few years after the agency had displayed The Neo Black Move- creation of the move- its dynamic qualities ment Worldwide ment, with several by being able to work originated from the individual interests with other internaold benin kingdom leading to the expan- tional agenncy in which stands as cra- sion of the movethe diaspora to bring dle of modern civili- ment, it soon began about a renaissance sation to Africans and to spread outside of the Afrocentriscthe world at large, the four walls of the sm. Events such as with its high number cradle University of workshops national of fearless advocates Benin to other Uniand international for Africa Freedom, versities i.e. University conferences, public

May 16 - 31 2015 I 21

lectures, seminars, symposia, workshops and exhibitions to promote understanding and appreciation of Black and African Culture.

Vision: “To be the foremost Agency for the advocacy of culture in Nigeria and Africa.”

campaign for the 7th Pan African Congress.

His mission then was to use the 7th Pan African Congress to institutionalise the Pan African Movement and Unite blacks worldwide.

“I was building a farm house facility (I called the Monument to African civilisation), PA NAIWU OSAHON’S at Ilogbo-Eremi in the DECLARATION OF Badagry local govTHE 7TH PAN AFernment area of LaRICAN CONGRESS gos State in Nigeria, 1982: at the time, as venue In 1985, a leader, for the 7th Pan- Afwarrior, convener Pa rican Congress. The Naiwu Osahon had idea was to set up moved for a motion a possible meeting for the 7th Pan Afriplace that would can Congress to be be grand and yet held in Lagos (Bada- rural in setting and gry) Nigeria. Having relatively cost free to ended the 6th Pan participants, to avoid African Congress at recourse to governTanzania with Julius ment subvention or Nyerere being the sponsoreship and, convener. Pan Aftherefore, influence. ricanists as Naiwu At the time, I thought Osahon had criticised that the congress the 6th Pan African could hold in Nigeria Congress to be one in 1985.” of the Jamborees stereotypes Web HINDERANCES TO Dubois had kicked THE SUCCESS OF THE off with 1 Pan African PROPOSED 7TH PAN Conference. It only AFRICAN CONGRESS suceeded in feeling a IN BADAGRY:The yearing vaccum and following are the keeping the movereasons why the plan ment in accademic for the 7th PAC went circles. He also noted awry as pointed by that the 5th Pan Afri- Naiwu Osahon can Congress recorded some certain level 1. Foreign Religions of ground-breaking and Ideologies: achievements but The emulation of also blinded us to foriegn values beign some of its not so imposed on us by sound pre-occupaforeign elements of tions. invasion. It is regrettable that the prevaThis where the lent society then had sources of motivation jettissoned traditionthat inspired Naiwu al values for foreign Osahon to began the ideologies. In the

22 I May 16 - 31 2015

sense that we never subscribed to African Sprituality to moblise our people for Pan Africanism to serve as a center-point for our crusade. Like Islam for the Arabs and Christianity for the Jews.

2. Inclusion of North Africa in the preparation of the event.

North Africa nations e.g. Libya (Led by Gaddaffi) were busy exploiting and ravaging indigenous africans i.e. Sudan Ethnic Cleansing which was being sponsored by the North African Nations. Naiwu Osahon indicated that North African Nations belong to the Arab League of Nations and doesnt want Subsaharan Africans to Unite under one platform.

3. Allowing our ‘Movement’ to be hijacked by reactionary African political leaders running our governments. These are leaders tied to the apron strings of our colonial masters for hand-outs which our leaders promptly divert to their individual private accounts abroad for personal gains. They are too busy enriching themselves at our expense to care about our collective welfare.

- Naiwu Osahon PAN AFRICANISM AND CIVIL TRANSITION 1999-2014 THE NEO BLACK MOVEMENT WORLDWIDE: In 1997, the au-

Africaworldforum

thorities of the Neo Black Movement announced its dissociation from the University chapter due to series of campus conflicts and clash of interests with rivalry groups. Soon the movement began to lack ideologically groomed membership at the university cadre of the movement which remains the birth-place.

Most importantly, improper scrutinisation of new initiates paved way for the erroneous inclusion of clogs in the movements wheel of success. Amidst this ideological challenge on the part of the university chapter, Nigerian youths whom have genuine intentions to lead Africa to freedom soon began to learn some positive elements of the movement with its rapid spread across 60 campuses through out the lenght and breath of the nation.

In 2014, the new leadership of the movement under the new development plan (360 Change) decleared that the university arm which is the origin of the movement to stop the incessant and illicit induction of new members. The National Authorities resolved that only Regional or National Inductions would be allowed to be conducted in order to checkmate its database of membership

aimed towards politi- of the masses yearncal numerical might. ings and aspirations, political impostors The new adminispromoting political tration tagged (360 confusions.

Degrees) has been carrying out series The Nigeria State of change oriented since the 1914 amalprogrammes, event, gamation had been seminars, workshops, grappling with these socio-welfare and issues affecting the political upfronts, Unity of the Nanon-violence camtion. Pan Africanism paigns and charitable is hard to flourish projects, national with a hostile poand regional conlitical environment ventional summits which doesnt seek to foster the needed to display Nationalunity to attain the ism through Pan project Africa. In its Africanism. Take for new dimension in the instance in 1986 global politics it uses during Babangida’s the tool of public administration when enlightenment and Pa Naiwu Osahon mass mobilisation (Leader World Pan for “social justice and Africanist Movement) equality for all” as a moved the motion means of instituting for the 7th Pan Afrisocial change amidst can Congress to be the political confuheld at the proposed sion that abounds in site at Badagry, Lathe polity. gos, Nigeria but the then Military Head CHALLENGES OF PAN of state (Gen Ibrahim AFRICANISM IN NIGE- Babangida) gave a RIA: negative response PLOITICAL CONFUto turn down this SION: Politics as we historic pan african all know is the proevent thats to be cess of decision mak- held for the first time ing in a given state in the Nigerian Soil. or political entity.

Today in Nigeria, very The political situafew politicians have tion is such that is the genuine passions prevalent of corrup- of the pan african tion, beareaucratic struggle at heart. delays, nepotism and With the majority of favoritism, ethnism, them trying to gain religious intolerance, the electorate’s manpolitical instability, dates either by crook rigging of election, or force. godfatherism, military highandedness, ECONOMIC PAN AFcivil disobedience, RICANISM: In Nigeria, insurgency and inse- to be a Panafricanist curity, poor participa- is more or less like tion of the masses in an endless journey the electoral process, to nowhere. Conalienation of the citi- sidering the sociozenry, total neglect economic conditions

AfricaWorldnewspaper

of the citizen, the grandstanding of corruption by the elite class and the maladministration of judicial proceedings, its almost impossible for one to assume the duty of intellectual Pan Africanism.

Economic Panafricanism is the hub of all other forms of Pan Africanism. This is so because the economy is (substructure) upon which the political foundations (super structure) are errected.Several citizens of the country are interested in making a meaningful contributions towards sustainable development with the instrumentality of Pan Africanism but the economic constraints i.e. low funds, bad debts, penilessness and liquidation, lack of financial credibility, poor access to quality loans and lastly poverty of quality information about mundane issues all make a total of hinderances that decapacitates an average Nigerian citizen from pertaking his/her civil rights responsibilities.

SOCIO-CULTURAL DEVOLUTION: Due to the sudden change in the global strata of acculturisation.

There has been a massive subscription to the “third cultures” (foreign-values) i.e. (feminism, nudity (fashion), psycophancy, homosexuality and emasculation of the afro-male) by the

AfricaWorldnewspaper

youth bracket of the society.

achieved other than the promotion of African Unity through Though Hyperglobal- borderless or regional ists have posited that fusioning. With the this new exchange undermining factors of socio-cultural of colonial influence values would to lead i.e. Language, Socioto the integration of Cultural Dilussion and the underdeveloped Discard of Traditional with the developing Authorities for Westand advanced world ern Imperialists. It which can present would be extremely the third world coun- difficult but postries opportunity to sible to attain the pertake in the new total emancipation of globla order. Skepti- Africans through the cals of the globaliza- concept of pan afrition trends insists canism. that “NO WAY” that this new world order Take for instance the of exchange of socio- West-Africa Region, cultural norms whick a road journey/tour seeks to sodomize from Nigeria through Africa and her sons is Benin, Togo to Ghana a fruitless voyage to is a heinous task to embark upon. put up with considering the hinderaces Transformationalists the borders places on believes that we can Africans of one melaexplore the positive nin. In such that local exhcange of sociotravellers from one cultural values of the country are made to country to rally-round go through hectic the renaissance for procedures to cross Pan Africanism in over to their neighNigeria. This group bouring nations for further stipulates that several socio-ecothey are neither hynomic reasons. Some perglobalists or skep- had quit this voyage tical about the effects just because of the of globalization, but pessimisticness about rather they believe the border situations. strongly that Pan Africanist in Nigeria Off all the borders in can seize the oppor- west africa spanning tunitys that abounds from (Nigeria-Ghana) in the country’s pan Nigeria is one of the africanism struggle most porous and unto push ahead for the organised one with future prospect of the immigration officers practice in Nigeria. creating unecessaries transportational THE DISINTERATION hurdles in order to OF AFRIKANS (POextort the travllers.

ROUS BORDERS): One spends mosts of There can be no any the time at Nigerian other means through border even with the which African Rewillingness to play naissance could be along with the settle-

Africaworldforum

ment pattern (bribery).

LACK OF INTELLECTUAL PAN AFRICANISM: This aspect or form of pan africanism grossly lacks in the avarage pan africanists in Nigeria.

If we could recollect that Henry Sylvester Williams introduction of the intellectual pan africanism in 1900 at London marked a new beginning in the pan african struggle. Although at this point Nigeria never had any representative in the first pan african conference but there were some influences of the Precolonial TECHNOLOGICAL DIVIDE: As a result of the techonological evolution in the country, many pertakers of pan africanism had been shelved off due to the recent shift from analogue to digital information systems. Notably, not all Nigerians have access to a computer or a mobile device let alone the internet access. As we all can accept that pan africanism had shifted from its analogic model to digital frontiers whereby most communications of germaine issues affecting the populace of the black race are discussed through several electronic media i.e. e-mails, mobile applications, social media etc.

This simply means that the number of

May 16 - 31 2015 I 23

Nigerians whom have access to the internet through their devices is still low. And compared to the global statistics of the possiblity of a Nigerian in every four black men, the Nigerian pan africanists is faced with the challenge of access to technological evolutions which can drive the wheels of pan africanism to the next and longawaited heights.

MEDIA MISREPRESENTATION: The African Media and particularly have not been forthcoming in the struggle for Pan Africanism in the country. Only few media outlets preaches or publishes the genuine informations of Africa Revolution that can engineer the renaissance of the continent and country specifically. With several media organisations parading as the vanguard of quality information meanwhile consciously or subsconsiously miseducating the masses on the history of selfknowledge.

the predicaments of Pan Africanism in Nigeria, the problem of miseducation and lack of education is rapidly posing a heinous threat to the existence of the philosophy. As the majority of the citizenry has been thrown into a state of confusion (ignorance) by the elite class.

Ignoramous thoughts of expression is the other of the day. The masses facet of the nation had been left in shambles and discommunication over a daunting period of time and era. This occurrence had further rendered the masses usesless in the global order especially with the barrier of communication. Primary Education is no longer encouraged.

National Subjects of Teachings are no longer mentained in the education curricular.

Whereby little is been done to tell the history of pan africanism in nigeria to the pupils or students been taught.

RELIGIOUS EXTRIMany of the erroneus MISM: Above all facelements of teachtors hindering the ings , deformative progress of pan afcharacters,corrosive ricanism in Nigeria, ideas and inhuman this one is the most norms have been daunting and regretsuccessfuly chanelled table in the sense into our masses men- that the teachings tal faculties whom of the religions are are actually not against the Unity of discernable in makAfricans and particuing right choices of larly Nigeria. views.

The 18th-19th MisILLITERACY AND sionary Voyage to IGNORANCE: Of all Africa marked the ad-

24 I May 16 - 31 2015

vent of religious lords otherwise known as missionaries on the fertile land of NigerArea (Nigeria) marked the begining of the brain (white) washing of my people.

Right from the South Region to the North region. With Usman Dan Fodio 1804 Jihads Declaration on Gobir village, declearing the North particularly the Fulanis as the rulers of the nation till eternity and 1880 Ajayi Crowder interpretation of the bible only for the Yoruba populace to be wittingly or unwittingly dragged into the trend of religious dogmatism with several religious institutions across the nation and only few hospitals for health care.

This has made Pan Africanism gospel subdued and unfounded, when all the preachings it gives to its fans and proponents is that “slaves obey your masters” and on the other hand “Jihad as the Holy War”.

THE MISINFORMATION OF THE NEGROE: The kind of education chanelled down into the thinking faculties of young black pupils today would determine how successful pan africanism would get in Nigeria.

Today, most teachings especially of the primary education dont focus on the past, present and

Africaworldforum

tion. Today in NIgeria, Individuals hide under the guise of Pan Africanism to further plunge the Nation’s Pan Africanism into a state of comatose.

The Socio-Economic imbalances has rendered the nations TRIBAL INTOLERGDP incoherent to ANCE: Nigeria is a the standard living. nation which comprises of several eth- As the economic nic compositions and indices has failed to tribal differences, ow- reflect in the lives of average Nigerians. ing to the complex nature of Nigerian With the ongoing ethnic groups, it is easier for pan african- modus operandi of ists whom are tribally globalizational influence on politics and guided to actually economic particularly follow suit the misleading line of ethno- civil rights movement centrism. This simply its very difficult for means that pan afri- genuine participants canists whom ought to equally contribute to be a focal cord for to the sustainable denational unity aimed velopment of the pan african struggle as towards continenindividuals whom are tal consolidation is head bent on paronow beign guided by tribal interests as chial interests would never allow for the against the unity of possible attainment the nation. of Uhuru.

With such contraPOSSIBLE REMEDIES dictions in pan afriTO CHALLENGES OF canisms in Nigeria, PAN AFRICANISM IN it would be highly NIGERIA: difficult for pan For Pan Africanism to africnists(individual or groups) to thread take a new dimension in Nigeria towards the line of pan afrithe positive realm, canism when there Pan Africanists within are also internal this geographical loagents working towards the division of cation shall and must sacrifice a lot to get the nation through their ethnic parochial the needed results. interest and ill inSOCIO-CULTURAL formed decisions.

RENAISSANCE: This CIVIL RIGHTS MOVE- aspect needs a total revisit and revamping MENTS AND PAN from new to old traAFRICANISM: Civil Rights Activism ditional values which in Nigeria has grossly promotes unity been negatively influ- amongst africans and in particularly Nigeenced and affected by the state of the na- ria. Since the 1914 the future of Africa and the struggle for African Glories. Gone are the days whereby Civic Education is a must pass subject in the primary education curricular.

AfricaWorldnewspaper

Atlantic City (Lagos).

For example, Lagos State under the present dispensation of (SAN.Babatunde Raji Fashola) had really paved way for the growth of pan africanism with its recent intrests and committments on the Culture and Tourism Ministry but the question is has Pan Africanists been able to utilise Take for instance: (Badagry Slave Mus- this privileges to the ieum); why should we bearest minum? continue to keep the old and bitter memo- “To any extent to ries of slavery (mental which a Nation democratises is inconand physical) and testably dependent its instruments i.e. slave yokes and pad- on its socio-cultural locks, horsewhips for milieu” human (slave) consumptions, religious ECONOMIC DYNAbooks that were used MISM: Pan Africanists should extensively to convince us into religious dogmatiza- take an inwards look to tap into the untion, as our national cultural heritages??? equal opportunities that abounds in For us to project as a Pan Africanism with a view to creating people on the journey to Uhuru through values or services for the Nigerian masses the struggle for Pan consumption.

Africanism, we (Pan Africanist) have to POLITICAL CONcreate structures and models that can SCIOUSNESS: In as much as the majority bring about rapid social cultural change of electorates are still being persuaded into that would encompasse all brackets of the representative society (age, gender decisions they make, Pan Africanism still or occupation) rehave a long way to gardless of the inthread in Nigeria. The dividual or group’s Lack of political coneconomic status or sciousness amongst political affiliations. the majority of the Nigerian citizenry Events such as EYO could be held acFESTIVAL, OSUNcountable for the OSOGBO, OJUDE poor participation in OBA, ODUN IFA and politics.

ISESE DAY etc are also means to reIt is extremely gerjuvinate the ancient maine that Pan Afcustoms. EYO festivals of the great EKO ricanists groups or false amalgamation of the Niger-Area (Southern and Nothern protectorates), the socio-cultural values and fabrics of the precolonial Nigerian society had been deeply ate into, with several cultural heriatages left in the hands of the infiltrators.

AfricaWorldnewspaper

individuals in Nigeria needs to embark on a large scale publice education on political mobilisation that can creat the possible political awareness needed for the rebirth of pan africanism in the country and can inturn shape the analytical minds of the citizens.

REGIONAL INTEGRATIONS: If the concept of Pan Africanism is to hold a strong ground in Nigeria spanning through its neighboruing countries then a lot needs to be done to clean up or possible remove the geographical barriers being placed upon us by the colonial oppressors only serve their divide and rule missions.

The presence of border structures between neighboruing african countries still marks the evidence and shall forver stand a symbol of disunity planted by our colonial tormentors.

MENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS ON SELF DISCOVERY AND REALISATION: Since alot of miseducation had plagued my people, It is therefore important that if we must go far in the struggle for pan africanism in Nigeria, we must be willing to have a rethink and undo all our doings that doesnt glorify the African struggle for liberation.

Series of mass reawakeness on self realisation and determination should

Africaworldforum

be institutionalised by the pan african society in Nigeria with much focus on the youth aspect of the larger society because they are the group of the society that would succeeed the present existence.

8TH PAN AFRICAN CONGRESS JANUARY 2014: The recently held 8th Pan African Congress held in Johanessbour at the Witwatersand University witnessed numerous Pan Africanists numbering 120. The event as usual was attended by several pan africanist from all walks of life. The event majorly comprised accademic goons whom have always been the privildged to have a say in the pan african congress.

Again the convention had been faulted for not having to inform the majority of Afrikans especially the representatives of the masses before it was enunciated which means that Afrikan Legitimacy wasnt sought in the process of the event.

THE KUTI FAMILY FELABRATION (ENTERTAINMENT): The Annual Legendary Felabration: This afrotainment delievery by the FELA KUTI’s decendants (Yeni, Femi, Kunle, Motunrayo, Seun) to mention but few, had all strove in the past to promote Pan Africanism in the country.

The Kuti family led by the led by Beko and Fela had laid the leg-

acy of Pan Africanism in their successors.

These are visionary leaders whom can envisage the future and prepare for the unforseen.

Eversince the demise of the late FELA KUTI, his descendants have positively contributed to pan arican struggle by making the entrenchment of the concept a must and a do or die. With series of afrocentric contents served to the masses consumption. A good example is the New African Shrine whereby lovers of Kuti Family and Pan Africanism at large can go to worship and express their pan african feelings on daily basis.

During this celeberation, several events are outlined i.e. debte, talent hunt, musical performance by both foreign and local artistes, african spirituality and divinity (mentally and physical) is also practiced in the process of the felabration.

If such an event could get more supports from the state, non-governmental organizations, civil rights groups and associations also patriotic individuals or pan africanists, this would go along way in promoting the culture of panafricanism in the positive light.

PACOR- PAN AFRICAN CONSCIOUSNESS RENAISSANCE (YOUTH): Sequel to the poor sustainability of the concept of pan af-

May 16 - 31 2015 I 25

ricanism in Nigeria caused by the subconscious drift/shift from pan africanism to globalisation through the institutionalisation of inchoate democracy by the government has led total neglect and demise of this african philosophy.

In the year 2014, a group of pan africanists from the south-west region of Nigeria called for the pre-launch of PACOR in order to address the pitiable situation in which pan africanism had found itself on the soil of Nigeria.

On the 27 of August, the prelaunch took place in the Conference Center of University of Ibadan, with about the minute number of 12 persons. Individuals contributed to the subject matter and a good deal of rhetorics on pan africanists struggle right from King Jaja Opobo and Martin Delany to the present day pan african struggle in Nigeria ensued, with the chief convener (Ifagunwa Temitope) acting as the moderator of the discussions. The prelaunch was ended with discussions on how to launch the actual project to serve as a panacea to the fast diminishing concept of pan africanism in Nigeria.

WORLD-WIDE PAN AFRICANISTS CONVENTION AZANIA 2015 (WWPAC2015): The WWPAC2015 beign hosted by Pan

African Congress of Azania (PAC) is a great Pan African event to look forwrd to in the sense that it had sought to mobilise majority of Africans in preparation for the event.

With Nigeria being one of the organizers of the event represented by myself as the (Nigerian Cordinator) it is therefore eminent to state that Pan Africanism in Nigeria once again have taken a new dimension towards African Integration and Global Consciousness.

The ability of the hosts to make use of the internet (social media)in rallyinground for African Unity is one achievement it had recorded on its own. Today, an average African whom is internet or social media familiar can easily come by the gospel of the convention and can directly communicate with organizers of the event. And this is where the African legitimacy comes in to play.

Nigeria have a good deal of participation in the sense that the host Pan African Congress Of Azania (PAC) had recently announced that Nigeria and United States are the first two countries whom have signified interest in the organization and attendance of the World Wide Pan African (WWPAC2015).

Also ongoing work is currently being struc-

26 I May 16 - 31 2015

tured to communicate the invitation of the event to all civil rights groups and pertakers of African Liberation Struggle both in Nigeria and diaspora to embrace the event and seek to mobilise for the success.

“Azania 2015 By all means necessary either in body or soul.”

ASE! For more details, visit: www.paconvention2015.org CONCLUDING REMARKS: Having critically studied the series of accounts on the concept of pan africanism in Nigeria one could infer that Nigeria had onced played a pivotal role in the struggle for pan africanism in the pasts but a lot still needs to be institutionalised.

As the giant of africa, many africans (home and diaspora) look forward to the Nigerian contribution towards the development of Panafricanism in the continent being one of the most populated black

Africaworldforum

nation on planet earth.

Far and wide, Pan Africanism had been subjected to several turmoils including running into extinction in some African Nations. Although, Nigeria had a good begining right from the precolonial era to the post colonial era, the controversial question begging for answer is- what then now happened in the civil transition where democracy is order of the day?

The records of Panafricanism in this civil dispensation has been low in terms of benchmark achievements. The civil transition to democratic system of governace has brought about a new political order in the Nigerian spectrum of politics. This time around erstwhile leaders whom had truncated the previous governing systems of the early post colonial era had also successfully hijacked the country’s soci-economic and political prospects

camofalguing as patriots. This means that the leadership of the country had not represented the electorates in its best interests thereby rendering panafricanism voiceless amidst of political confusion, economic alienation and cultural displacement.

Also, this political class entrenched in heinous crimes of maldaministration(s) and corruption(s) soon began to get a hold of civil orgnaisations with their bags of monetary goodies to dissuade pan africanists from focusing on the struggle for African Liberation.

The Youth also been miseducated by the poor educational system put in place to produce numerous graduates whom cannot give a good account of self knowledge and determination.

Recently, the rebirth of Pan africanism through the prelaunch of “Pan African Consciousness Renaissance” (PACOR)

BURUNDI: “The coup leaders violated our challenge”, Protesters

AfricaWorldnewspaper

and the 360 Change in “Neo-Black Movement Worldwide” (NBM) led by the National Head (Eyeoyibo Oritsebemigho) of the present administration seek to proferr genuine solutions to problems of panafricanism in Nigeria.

Therefore, if Nigeria would move forward in the struggle for pan african liberation we must seek to awaken from slumber and begin to retrace our roots of african origins. With the current states of Neocolonialists (Multi Nationalists Company) scattered all over the country, all in the name of globalisation, it would be seemingly hard and tortuous for panafricanism to thrive as a philosophy or ideology of African Liberation.

Lastly, Pan Africanism as largely espoused

by African Intellectual Scholars have been found and proven to be the most suitable remedy to African Predicaments.

REFERENCE: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Pan-Africanism , http:// en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Opobo http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Martin_Delanyhttp:// en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Frederick_William_Koko_Mingi_ VIII_of_N...http:// en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Ernest_Ikoli http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Herbert_ Macaulay http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Nnamdi_ Azikiwe http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Pan-African_Congress http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Anthony_ Enahoro http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Fela_Kuti http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/World_Festival_of_Black_Arts Center For Black Arts and Culture http://www.cbaac77. com/index.php

coup was initially welcomed by the cheers. But this morning, many were disWriten by: tempt of General Go- render. At least three had gone for a sum- appointed. And some Dacastro Fidele defroid Niyombare. mit of Heads of State wonder about the leaders of the muFor our Observer, the tinous troops were of Central Africa on reasons that pushed Burundian demondemonstrators refuse arrested. Their leader, the crisis in his coun- the former chief of strators went from to be assimilated to try. A large crowd of staff to lead the coup.

General Niyombare, hope to disillusionthe putschists. Testi- would, meanwhile, supporters gathered “The protesters seem ment in forty-eight mony ... for now escaped the Friday morning to to have been maniphours.While the The hopes raised by loyalist army. Bucelebrate his return. ulated by the putschprotest was growing the coup attempt Among the observers ists” rundian President Wednesday their mo- were dashed Friday who were demonPierre Nkurunziza, Prosper (pseudonym) mentum, they said, morning after the strating for a forthas meanwhile reis involved in the diswas shattered by the coup leaders anturned to urgency of night without interpute from the beginfailure of the coup at- nounced their surruption, attempted Tanzania, where he ning.

AfricaWorldnewspaper

The protesters today have a sense of frustration because they feel they have been manipulated by the putschists who took advantage of the efforts for three weeks to try to take power. Wednesday, it seemed to have taken a big step up for the first time instead of independence, previously impossible to access. Two days later, it is as if the challenge of recent weeks had been overshadowed. They violated our challenge.

Africaworldforum?News Africanworldforum

This coup attempt is also a catastrophe for freedom of expression. To date, in addition to national radio (RTNB), there are only two private media that work [Radio Maria FM, a Christian radio and TV Heritage, Protestant TV Ed] since the majority of private radios, whether favorable or Nkurunziza demonstrators were sacked [the media group has Iwacu else Thursday suspended its activities for security reasons Ed].

“Niyombare a coup puppet? The rumored “ Now it has more than Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook for information. And there are rumors circulating many complotistes. The latest is that General Niyombare would have been a “coup puppet”.

It would have led the coup in order to create chaos and push the demonstrators to go home. And in this context the “Loyalists” demonstrated their military superiority.

The fear now is that

May 16 - 31 2015 I 27

the protesters are likened to those who attempted the coup, and therefore totally discredited.

This morning, the few people who have tried to erect barricades in my neighborhood were arrested by police who accused them of being coup.

Supporters of President Nkurunziza chanted songs mocking the disputes which have failed, according to our observers.

The spokesman of

PUDEMO PRESIDENT MARIO MASUKU AND SWAYOCO SECRETARY GENERAL MAXWELL DLAMINI CONDEMNED TO FECAL ISOLATION PUDEMO STATEMENT The directive that – 1 MAY 2015 the political activists should be isolated His Majesty’s Correc- was issued yesterday tional Services Com- 30 April 2015, and missioner General since then, they have Mzuthini Ntshangase had to answer the call has issued an order of nature in buckets that PUDEMO Presibetween 4PM and dent Mario Masuku 8AM in the morning. and SWAYOCO Secre- SWAYOCO Secretary tary General Maxwell General Dlamini has Dlamini should be since engaged in a put in isolation for hunger strike to prono apparent reason. test the ill treatment.

Presently the two Today (1 May 2015) political activists have SWAYOCO Secretary to contend with beGeneral Dlamini’s reling accommodated ative who had come in a block that is to bring medication supposed to accom- as per His Majesty’s modate a group of Correctional Services’ 40, but it is only the doctors, was turned two of them that back because, also have to contend with part of the directive the dingy block with by Commissioner faulty plumbing that General Ntshangase they have to wait for is that henceforth at least an hour to visitors allowed to fill a cup of water in see the two politiorder to have a drink. cal activists are to be

family members and no one else.

PUDEMO demands an immediate end to this cruelty which it views as nothing but a form of torture in order to break the spirits of these two gallant political activists who have faced their persecution in a spirit of high morale in spite of continuously being frustrated through harassment and banning of visitors, refusal of access to medical care and barring of access to legal representation.

PUDEMO calls for an outright condemnation of this barbaric act that the Tinkhundla Governing Regime is perpetrating through its prison system. PUDEMO will be intensifying its global campaign

for the isolation of the regime and the release of all political prisoners.

Statement issued by the Secretary General of PUDEMONB. The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) is a Swazi political movement committed to the creation, protection and promotion of a constitutional multiparty democracy, a transparent and accountable government, an environment conducive to the economic growth and empowerment and the development of a culturally vibrant and tolerant society, based on maximum participation and respect of the will of the people. It is waging a struggle for political freedom in

the protesters, Vital Nshimirimana, was at when he asserted that the attempted coup was “the initiative [of people] internal system of the CNDD (the ruling party)” and the connivance charges between the protest movement and the coup leaders are false. It also calls upon Burundians to “continue the mobilization.”

the small kingdom of Swaziland (Africa’s only remaining absolute monarchy).

PUDEMO is a banned entity in Swaziland and its leader (President Mario Masuku) is in prison alongside other political prisoners while other leaders are in exile for pursuing these political objectives but the movement remains the leading voice of the poor and oppressed people of Swaziland and enjoys popular support from the broader society (trade union, youth movement and students, church, communities and other civil society formations).

Contact Detail: Tell: +27 81091 2364 (Brian Ntshangase/ Spokesperson) pudemoinfo@gmail. com Facebook: pudemo Tweeter:@pudemo\

28 I May 16 - 31 2015

Photonews

AfricaWorldnewspaper

Nigerian student breaks 50-year jinx in Japanese University

A Nigerian student, Ufot Ekong, has graduated with a first class degree in robotics and electrical engineering. According to his brother, Ufot broke a 50-year jinx in the university. Ufot who has a mastery of the saxophone is also the director of Strictly African Japan, an African retail wears and accessories shop.

Besides paying himself through school, Ufot works at Nissan, where he has two patented products. Ufot speaks English, Yoruba, French, Japanese, with a Japanese language award for foreigners. SEE Pics of Electric Car He Produced below:

AfricaWorldnewspaper

Photonews

May 16 - 31 2015 I 29

30 I May 16 - 31 2015

Africanworldforum

AfricaWorldnewspaper