JAMB Government Past Questions & Answers - Page 156

The Nigerian federalism is a Three-Tier System.
They are as follows:

1. Federal or Central Government
2. Regional/State Governments
3. Local Governments.

The 1989 Nigerian Constitution provided for a Two-Party System.
This made General Ibrahim Babangida to float two national parties on behalf of government where all politicians had to fit in.

The political parties were as follows:
1. The Social Democratic Party (SDP)
2. National Republican Convention (NRC)

Berlin Conference formalized colonial penetration into Africa. It should be noted that the Berlin Conference of 1884/85, laid very strong foundation for colonial enterprise in Africa. It literally divided the continent among European powers such as:

1. Britain
2. France
3. Germany
4. Portugal

The major objectives of the colonialists in Nigeria as well as other parts of African Continent are as follows:
1. Economic Reasons
2. Missionary Activities
3. Adventure
4. Cultural Domination
5. Expansion of Market.

Problems arising from population census in Nigeria are mainly caused by unreliable census figures, which are mainly caused by political manipulation of the elites.

For instance, when the result of 1962 census was published, the then census Commissioner, Mr.T. Warren criticized the figure as unrealistic Consequently, the then Minister for Economic Development, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim, cancelled the census. Another was then conducted in November 1963. The figures returned again showed that Northern Region had 29.8 million Eastern 12.4 million, Western Region 10.3 million and the mid West 2.5 million while Lagos had 675,352 people. The figure showed on overall increase of 74%.

The East and the Mid-West rejected the figures from the North and the West. the Northern and Western Regional Premiers, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Chief S.L. Akintola threatened fire. The students of the University of Nigeria. Nsukka (UNN) protested against the figures. Serious controversy was generated over the census figures.

Finally the Prime Minister, Sir Alhaji Abukakar Tafawa Balewa nepotically accepted the figures and used them in National Economic Planning.

Waziri in the Sokoto Caliphate performed functions similar to that of the Bashorum in Oyo Kingdom.

In the Sokoto Caliphate , Waziri is the senior official, the Emir's administrative adviser who acted as the Prime Minister. In Oyo Kingdom, the Bashorum was the Prime Minister of the empire.