JAMB Government Past Questions & Answers - Page 130

The major external factor that promoted nationalism in Nigeria was Pan-Africanism.

Pan-Africanism efforts geared towards total emancipation of all black people throughout the world gingered the people into action against colonialism. The movement assisted African nationalist to articulate their demands and strongly supported their struggle for political independence.

The main achievement of the nationalists in Nigeria was political liberation of the nation.

Political awareness was created and this led to the formation of Political parties such as Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC), etc. The nation was then liberated politically through the attainment of independence.

Indirect rule encouraged the rise of nationalism.

The colonial policy of indirect rule system of government excluded the educated elite from governance. This then made the spirit of nationalism to develop earlier and more rapidly in the British Colonies.

The Igbo society was the one which was described as Acephalous.

It was a typical example of a non-centralized or acephalous society before the coming of European political system in Nigeria. It had no single centralized authority as was the case with the Hausa/Fulani or Yoruba.

The Igbos maintained an egalitarian as well as democratic society. Every adult belonged to the Amala meeting where everybody expressed his views or opinion.

Waziri was the next in command to the Sultan under the pre-colonial Sokoto Caliphate system. He was the Emir. He performed the duties of the modern day Prime Minister in a cabinet system of government. He settled inter-emirate disputes.