It may thoroughly surprise most Nigerians that there are disturbing questions as to who has ever seen and read the contents of whatever document the “Nigerian Declaration of Independence ” (NDI) is inserted.

This would be the document that contains the actual terms and conditions of the independence of Nigeria from Britain, the handover conditions not some bill. If
Nigeria does have a duly signed and legitimate NDI how comes no one seems to have ever seen it even 56 years after Independence. Or is it best kept as a secret?

I have had the privilege to ask many notable Nigerians who you most would expect to have seen or know something concrete about the existence and contents of the NDI. In 1999, I had the opportunity to ask Anthony Enahoro who moved the motion in the House while Nigeria under colonial rule for Independence if he had seen it. His answer was, No. I also had the
opportunity to ask Debo Akande while I met him in London in summer 2003. His answer was, No.

I also asked Gani Fawehimin twice, once in Lagos and again in Abuja. His answer was not only, No, on both occasions, he was indignant that I bothered to ask him a second as if it would change his first answer. He was right, I should not have asked a second time at a later date. I also tried to reach Itse Sagay a few years
back in the UK to ask the same question but a hospitalisation failed me when the opportunity came.

If a key independence politician and very major Nigerian lawyers have not seen the NDI, we should seriously wonder who has. The NDI is not contained in any library I have requested the information from. The best I have gotten in my search is a transcript of Tafawa Balewa’s speech declaring Nigeria independent.

Independence is not a binding divorce without a
certificate; independence has proper terms and conditions written clearly into it. There are numerous studies and copies (hard and electronic) available of the four colonial Constitutions (Clifford 1922; Richards 1946, Macpherson 1951, Lyttleton 1954) for Nigeria.

There are also studies and copies available of Nigeria’s post-Independence Constitutions (Independence 1960; First Republic 1963; Second Republic 1979; Third republic 1993; Fourth Republic 1999). The Independence Constitution of 1960 is no substitute for the NDI.

However, no studies or copies of the NDI appear to be available for research or to the public. One has to wonder what the reason(s) for such an important document to be kept from the public view is. Did Nigeria’s “ Independence Fathers” (Azikiwe, Awolowo, Bello and others) agree to terms of Independence that are too embarrassing to make public? Was it a non-
transparent Declaration on the part of Britain?

It is interesting to know that are a sizeable number of Nigerians who know the Unite States “Declaration of Independence”, the United States “Constitution”, the British “Magna Carta” intimately well, some by heart. It is not uncommon to find some Nigerians who have
never lived outside the country when cornered in a tight spot during and arguments quip, “I plead the Fifth” [Amendment of the US Constitution].

These same guys have not got the slightest clue about the existence or contents of the NDI. It reminds me about the differential in the knowledge of Nigerians concerning Nigerian as against European soccer teams. However, the Nigerian teams have never been hidden.

Some might ask why it matters for Nigerians to see the NDI. Whatever the case may be, what is done is done. We cannot turn back history. Nigerians and other nationals should have the right to freely view the NDI. It might give Nigerians a better understanding of the initial conditions Nigeria started life with as an
independent nation. There is a lot in that, very much.
https://grimotnanezine.com/2016/04/17/who-has-ever-seen-the-nigerian-declaration-of-independence/

It doesn't exist, if it did in the past, Ahmadu Bello and his ilk would long have destroyed it.

American Declaration of Independence or British "Magna Carta” don baff, abi who dem epp.

We were in a hurry to rule ourselves that we forget to receive some important tutorials from the british about politics, economics, the north and south divide, and the non existing Nigerian Declaration of Independence.

So because America has one, Nigeria must have one?

lalasticlala have you seen it before?

dgr8truth:
American Declaration of Independence or British "Magna Carta” don baff, abi who dem epp.

We were in a hurry to rule ourselves that we forget to receive some important tutorials from the british about politics, economics, the north and south divide, and the non existing Nigerian Declaration of Independence.

Of course it's necessary to see the content. To know the foundation on which this house is built. To know the guiding principles of our past leaders.

itstpia8:
So because America has one, Nigeria must have one?

No, it's simply a collection of agreements upon which a country is forged. A kind of little constitution where the conditions for living is briefly explained.

It's like being in a group without having a reason why you are in it etched somewhere. Like your autonomous meetings without a foundation from the outset. But I think we have one.

TippyTop:
It doesn't exist, if it did in the past, Ahmadu Bello and his ilk would long have destroyed it.

I don't think it's something you can destroy.

Guys, anyone?

This is really is ONE BIG QUESTION, who has seen the Nigeria Declaration of Idependence.








Thought I was the only one asking this same QUESTION.

Reyginus:
No, it's simply a collection of agreements upon which a country is forged. A kind of little constitution where the conditions for leaving is briefly explained.

It's like being in a group without having a reason why you are in it etched somewhere. Like your autonomous meetings without a foundation from the outset. But I think we have one.

It points to the fact that nations within the geographical territory we call Nigeria were just bundled together without a Social Contract, a questionable independence that is now managed with so many problems of disunity stemming from the wrong foundation on 'one Nigeria' that is not favourable to all.

Nigeria is a big FRAUD right from the day the name nigeria was conceived to the day it was made public till now!

tanteta:
This is really is ONE BIG QUESTION, who has seen the Nigeria Declaration of Idependence.








Thought I was the only one asking this same QUESTION.

It's quite unfortunate we can't see the details.

Alfranco:

It points to the fact that nations within the geographical territory we call Nigeria were just bundled together without a Social Contract, a questionable independence that is now managed with so many problems of disunity stemming from the wrong foundation on 'one Nigeria' that is not favourable to all.

That's it. And Nations do not grow like this. Their should be shared dreams. Shared goals accompanied with a plan. When the Masons founded America they had plans for a wonderful country. Their were goals and plans to pursue them. The sanctity of human life was raised to horizons. These served like a compass of development and existence for the people.

Anybody can download the American declaration of independence. I can state some words in it. But where's Nigeria's? More like a group of homofabers forced to coexist by a dictatorial hand only concerned about his welfare and not the enslaved. Yeah. Awolowo was right. It seems the region called Nigeria is a mere geographic expression.

wordcat:
Nigeria is a big FRAUD right from the day the name nigeria was conceived to the day it was made public till now!

My fear is not that the country is a fraud but that this cannot be negotiated. We cannot peacefully resolve our differences. In the next three years we in the north will catch cold again because of 2019 elections. It shouldn't be so. I shouldn't be sacred because my country is electing its leaders.

Wait! wait! wait a minute! Declare what of what independence?
There's no declaration of independence. Our leaders then gathered around a table sipping burukutu and when the effect of the burukutu got into their brain, they decided it's time to take over the affairs of Nigeria.

Reyginus:
My fear is not that the country is a fraud but that this cannot be negotiated. We cannot peacefully resolve our differences. In the next three years we in the north will catch cold again because of 2019 elections. It shouldn't be so. I shouldn't be sacred because my country is electing its leaders.

It is quite unfortunate

Buhari:kai,i'm hearing some noise outside.

Osibanjo:it's the citizens,they are asking for the NDI.

Buhari:wallahi that NDI faa is not here.

Osibanjo:where?

Buhari:it's me wallahi.

Osibanjo:why?

Buhari:i gave it to chinese president.

Osibanjo:aaah

buhari:kai why are u shouting.

Osibanjo:u shouldn't have given it to him.

Buhari:is it useful?

Osibanjo:very very useful.

Buhari:it was after i finished drinking kunu with fura with a big gworo something in me told me to go and give him the NDI.it's nt only that,i also gave some other items to other countries.

Osibanjo:what are they?

Buhari:i gave ethiopia my certificate of presidency,i gave iran the my birth certificate.

Osibanjo:aaah

buhari:kai why are u shouting,wallahi i will be going to iraq next week,i will be going along with the national budget.

Osibanjo:aaah,aaah,aaa h

buhari:i dnt like this noise u ar making,because paul biya the cameroon president may hear it and come and chase us away from this aso rock because i have sold it to him thats why he came to nigeria,u see all this senators and reps looting our money i will deal with them.

Osibanjo:how

buhari: i will sell the national assembly so that they will be staying in open air to carry out there duties.

Osibanjo:aaaah,aaaah

buhari:wallahi if u shout again i will sell u too.

Osibanjo:i will tell nigerians(runs away).

EastLebanon:
Buhari:kai,i'm hearing some noise outside.

Osibanjo:it's the citizens,they are asking for the NDI.

Buhari:wallahi that NDI faa is not here.

Osibanjo:where?

Buhari:it's me wallahi.

Osibanjo:why?

Buhari:i gave it to chinese president.

Osibanjo:aaah

buhari:kai why are u shouting.

Osibanjo:u shouldn't have given it to him.

Buhari:is it useful?

Osibanjo:very very useful.

Buhari:it was after i finished drinking kunu with fura with a big gworo something in me told me to go and give him the NDI.it's nt only that,i also gave some other items to other countries.

Osibanjo:what are they?

Buhari:i gave ethiopia my certificate of presidency,i gave iran the my birth certificate.

Osibanjo:aaah

buhari:kai why are u shouting,wallahi i will be going to iraq next week,i will be going along with the national budget.

Osibanjo:aaah,aaah,aaa h

buhari:i dnt like this noise u ar making,because paul biya the cameroon president may hear it and come and chase us away from this aso rock because i have sold it to him thats why he came to nigeria,u see all this senators and reps looting our money i will deal with them.

Osibanjo:how

buhari: i will sell the national assembly so that they will be staying in open air to carry out there duties.

Osibanjo:aaaah,aaaah

buhari:wallahi if u shout again i will sell u too.

Osibanjo:i will tell nigerians(runs away).

What has this got to do with declaration of independence?

Hey Rey, good job. When will u publish your first blog/article on it? I am serious. If u need help/creative advice, lemme know

Tufanja:
Hey Rey, good job. When will u publish your first blog/article on it? I am serious. If u need help/creative advice, lemme know

Yeah. I can always count on you once the blog is ready. I believe your country has one.

csamii:
Wait! wait! wait a minute! Declare what of what independence?
There's no declaration of independence. Our leaders then gathered around a table sipping burukutu and when the effect of the burukutu got into their brain, they decided it's time to take over the affairs of Nigeria.

Lol. Maybe it was verbal.

There is a lot to say about it. Maybe I will find some time to send you an email.
Back in the days, I did extra courses at university on constitutionalism, history, state development. democracy etc. I did chose to write a paper in which I studied the Articles of Confederation (US) and the Union of Utrecht (NL). Both can be seen as sort of preliminary constitutions. It was an interesting excercise because during the analysis I got the impression that the Union of Utrecht seems to have sort of served as a model for the Articles of Confederation. I should refresh the details, as I am not into this field anymore for quite some time. But I would really encourage your quest for the Nigeria none… it already sounds like a novel now :-). Go ahead!

Have you checked for those other decolonised African states?

Tufanja:
There is a lot to say about it. Maybe I will find some time to send you an email.
Back in the days, I did extra courses at university on constitutionalism, history, state development. democracy etc. I did chose to write a paper in which I studied the Articles of Confederation (US) and the Union of Utrecht (NL). Both can be seen as sort of preliminary constitutions. It was an interesting excercise because during the analysis I got the impression that the Union of Utrecht seems to have sort of served as a model for the Articles of Confederation. I should refresh the details, as I am not into this field anymore for quite some time. But I would really encourage your quest for the Nigeria none… it already sounds like a novel now :-). Go ahead!

Thank you.

Sweetguy25:
Have you checked for those other decolonised African states?

No, I didn't. You think it's the same thing?

Reyginus:
Of course it's necessary to see the content. To know the foundation on which this house is built. To know the guiding principles of our past leaders.

if you can't find the NDI due to it being carelessly misplaced or not documented. I believe Britain (Colonial master) should have a copy since it's a contract between two parties (us and them).

I will advise you check the libraries in Britain

Propene:


if you can't find the NDI due to it being carelessly misplaced or not documented. I believe Britain (Colonial master) should have a copy since it's a contract between two parties (us and them).

I will advise you check the libraries in Britain

Contract? What does this mean?

itstpia8:
So because America has one, Nigeria must have one?

why shouldnt we? is Nigeria not a country abeg reason b4 u talk!

I once saw a picture of it and a picture of the signing ceremony, but I was unable to see the contents. I can however provide some information that might help your search.

The document was signed by Princess Alexandria (on behalf of the Queen) and Tafawa Balewa at the Independence Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel on Victoria Island.

I do not think that it is like the US declaration of independence. Remember that the US got its independence via a war, while we didn't fight a war to get our independence. Remember that the US declaration of independence was signed by the 13 colonies while they were still at war with Britain and also remember that the US constitution did not exist at that time. Whereas, in the case of Nigeria, the 1960 constitution already existed by the time that the Nigerian declaration of independence was signed. That's why the 1957 and 1958 constitutional conferences and the 1960 and 1963 constitutions are more important to nigerians than the 1960 and 1963 declarations of independence.


(The Independence Hall is now part of Federal Palace Hotel's casino).

This is a serious question that needs to be addressed. Lawmakers have to be called out to request for this document. It will be a starter for peaceful resolution of this restructuring crisis

why do you care about it ....

go ask the ancestors that signed it...