Evening star., 1960-10-02
Nigeria Attains
Independence,
BacksPeace


-Nigeria-Africa's most popu-
lous nation-attained indepen-.
dence today and proclaimed it
self at once as a power for
peace on the troubled continent.
Drums doomed through the
day and tin lids pounded out
the time for dancing, but
churches. chapels and mosques
were crowded with persons
giving thanks.
Federal Premier Sir Abu-
bakar Tafawa Balewa said Nj
geria must "at once be ready to
deal with grave international
issues"
Cites Grave Issues
This fact has Of recent
months been unhappily en-
phasized by the startling events
which have occurred in this
continent" he said. I'VE are
called upon Immediately to
show that our claims to re-
sponsible government are we'll
founded. Having been accepted
as an independent state, we
must at once play an active
part in maintaining the peace
of the world and in preserving
civilization"
His bold statement as chief
of Nigeria's foreign affairs
came in q morning ceremony
under a warm tropical sun
while 10000 Nigerians cheered.
Princess Alexandra. repre-
senting Britain's Queen Eliza
BETH II. handed over to the
premier the constitutional doc
uments embodying indepen-
dence and self-rule for Niger
las SO million people. She read
a message from the Queen well
coming Nigeria as a free and
sovereign state into the British
Commonwealth of Nations.
Last midnight Britain's
Union Jack was lowered. and
the green and white Nigerian
banner was raised in its place.
It marked the end of SO years
of British rule. Some 10000
boisterous Nigerians watched
the ceremony and swept cheer
ing through this capital city
which once served as the head
quarters for slave traders.
While there were cheers this
morning. there was none of the
wild enthusiasm of last night.
Praised by BritOn
Retiring Governor General
Sir James Robertson told the
morning crowd Nigerians and
British alike could take credit
for the way in which this coun-
try had achieved independence
without serious trouble, diSor-
der or bloodshed. He added:
I'm a world where the vexed
problem of race relations is
more challenging than ever be-
fore, 1t is reassuring to find in
this country a more friendly
relationship between all kinds
and conditions of men than in
almost any other in the world.
II hope that there may long
be set an example for others
to follow"
Nigeria soon will become the
e9th member of the United Ma
tions and already has an
nounced it is sending troops to
join the U. N. force in the
Congo.
The crowd was stirred to ex-
cited cheering by the appear
ance Of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
Xix, who becomes first Nigerian
governor general, and parlia-
mentary opposition Chief Oba-
femi Awolowo in their cleaning
green and white independence
automobiles.
Cheering for the Nationalist
leaders exceeded the welcome
given to Princess Alexandra
whose Rolls Royce was escorted
by mounted northern tribes
men. The horsemen wore green
and white uniforms with flow
ing cloaks and white turbans.
Leaders Saluted
Crowds lined the streets, at
some places six deep, to sa-
lutte their nationalist leaders.
Throughout the city, Nigerians
were celebrating. The temper
ature was IS and the humidity
over 80.
The throb Of drums was
heard everywhere as crowds
weaved in native dances. Those
without drums improvised with
a variety Of tin lids used as
cymbals for their favorite high
life dancing.
independence came just two
years after the British offered
it. Nigeria seems far more
ready for self-government than
was the Congo.
Nigeria has nearly 21a mil
lion children in school and al
ready has produced thousands
OF college graduates. On the
other hand. four Of five Niger
ians, of primary school age
don't go to school.
Nigeria has some 900 native
physicians and 544 lawyers.
Nearly all Of the $4,000 govern
ment employees are Nigerian.
While this is impressive. the
nation is not without problems.
Nigeria is a bewildering mix
ture Of some $50 tribes. Mos
lens dominate the North. while
there are about seven million
Christians and many pagans in
the East and West.
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