St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-10-28
Northern Nigeria
Leader Critical
Of US. NeoroeS
By Enoc p. Waters

Leader Critical
Of US. Negroes
BY Enoc p. Waters
Kaduna, N. Nigeria (ANP) -
The high born and powerful Sard-
auna of Sokoto, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu
Bello, KBE, premier of Nigerias
gigantic northern region, said he
was convinced that the American
Negro did not regard the African
as his brother.
Looking like the powerful mon
arch that he is, the Sardauna said
he based his conclusion upon ex-
periences he had while visiting the
United States in July and August
of this year.
The Sardauna, who yields ire
mendous political influence here as
head Of the Northern Peoples Con-
gress, the party claiming a major
ity OF seats in the federal parlia-
ment, explained that Negroes in
America made no gestures Of
friendship during his visit.
Met Only l Or 2
In fact, he added, he met only
one or two Negroes who came to
visit him as fellow Moslems.
He said he visited New York
City Washington, Chicago, Los
Angeles and New Orleans all of
which, he was given to understand
have large populations of Negroes.
The large international press
party that is touring Nigeria with
Princess Alexandra was shaken by
the Sardauna's words and espec-
tally by the manner he adopted
while expressing his views.
Proud And Naughty Man
One got the impression that he
was resentful of what he evidently
interpreted as snub by American
Negroes during his American visit.
He is a very proud and naughty
man who made it plain while dis
Cussing other matters that he re-
CARDS Prime Minister Balewa who
Just returned from the UN general
assembly at New York as my sec
ond leftenant" and his statements
are those of the party of which I
am head"
While we had no further oppor-
tunity to go deeper into the ques-
ton. I am sure that one of his
difficulties in the states was the
failure of the people there to ap-
preciate his monarchial powers,
Here people PROSTATE themselves
before him.
The Sardauna is the crown prince
to the Sultan of Sokoto who is
really the king of the Moslem
people in Nigeria.
AS prime minister, he is the
highest governmental authority in
the nations largest and most pop
ulous if not the wealthiest region
Finally as head of NPC, he is the
nations political boss, and master
of the federal prime minister.
The Sardauna's sentiments re-
garding the American Negro are
important because of his power,
but they are not unique.
Door Open To Americans
Balewa. who may have been
echoing the Sardauna's sentiments,
has made the point several times
that positions of responsibility in
the government are open to per-
sons of African descent as well as
to Nigerians, thereby opening the
door to American Negroes.
In the Western Region where
the Action Party, which is in OPP
position to the Sardauna's NPC
holds sway, there is a feeling that
American Negroes are unconcerned
about their African brothers.
They feel Amrican Negroes
should come here and live with
them and share with them their
training in various skilled and pro-
fessional fields, tourists are, OF
course, appreciated.
Those who come as teachers, OF
technical experts and then return
TO the United States are also APP
preciated, but what they are look
ing for is American Negroes to
come here and make this their
home and integrate themselves into
the life of the country as several
West Indians have done who are
holding responsible positions in the
government and their communities
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
EopMANEK BROS, GARAGE