By Livinus Nnebedum
There are about 55 countries in Africa and 200 countries in the world. Nigeria and Ghana are both West Africa. Ghana got her independence before Nigeria in 1957. Nigeria got her independence in October 1960.
It was Mr. Harold Macmillan then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) who announced the date of Independence for Nigeria at No 10 Downing Street, London. The following personalities from Nigeria were there in London during the announcement namely: Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi
Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa and Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto. They were with Harold Macmillan at No. 10 Downing Street London. There were military regimes in Nigeria from January 1966 to 30th September 1979. From 1st October 1979 to December 31, 1983 Nigeria had a civilian regime. But from 29th May 1999 till date, the country has been under civilian rule. Therefore there were military interventions in Nigeria politics. At least Nigeria has recorded 11 coups and counter-coups from 15th January 1966 to 21th December 1997. Coups and counter-coups and military interventions in Nigerian politics cannot bring political stability.
The colonial leaders of Nigeria before independence include: Lord Fredrick Lugard (1914 to 1919), Sir H. Clifford,
Sir Graemer Thompson, Sir Donald Cameroun, Sir Bernard Bourdillion, Sir Arthur Richard, Sir John Macperson, Sir James Robertson 1955 to 1960.
Nigerian leaders from 1960 to date include: Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe – Governor General of Nigeria (1st October 1960 to 15th January 1966), Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (1st Prime Minister (1st October 1960 to 15th January 1966), Major-General Aguiyi Ironsi, General Yakubu Gowon, General Murtala Mohammed, General Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1st Executive and elected President of Nigeria), General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim B. Babangida (IBB), Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Sani Abacha, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chief Olusegun Mathew Obasanjo (Elected Civilian President), Alhaji Umar Musa Yar’Adua, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In 1898 Nigeria was named Niger Area by Flora Shaw, which later was modified as Nigeria in 1945. In 1906, the capital of Nigeria was relocated from Calabar to Lokoja. Then it was later moved from Lokoja to Lagos and on December 12, 1991 it was moved to Abuja. Lord Luggard was the first Governor-General of Nigeria and had his base at Lokoja. A monument in his memory is still there at Lokoja close to the confluence of River Niger and River Benue. This writer Livinus Nnebedum on his trip to Abuja in June 2010 saw Lord Frederick Luggard House well preserved as a historical and tourist centre. The history of Christianity in Nigeria can be traced back to 15th century.