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The igbos have always operated a democratic system of government. The highest democratic institution among the igbos is the Oha- na eze ( the town assembly)
The executive, legislative and judicial power that the decentralised system of Government the igbos had, were vested in the oha- na eze, the council of elders; the Ozor title holders; the age grade; the umuada ; and the Ala or the Earth's Goddess represented by a chief priest .

The hausa people were by birth Nigerians, bit the fulanis were not. The Fulanis migrated from the western Sudan in the 19th century into the hausa land. Before the Fulanis conquered the hausa land, the hausa people were pagans and practised decentralised system of government.

The Fulanis In 1804 organised a jihad under the leadership of usman dan fodio and conquered the whole of hausa land. They replaced all the Hausa King's with fulani emirs and converted majority of the hausa people to Islam. The fulanis settled and inter married with Hausa people after conquering them and this was his the name Hausa/Fulani came about .

When Women stood together .........

The Aba Women's Riot of 1929 was a significant event in Nigerian history, showcasing women's resistance against colonial rule and patriarchal structures.

In the late 1920s, the British colonial administration in Nigeria introduced a new system of taxation, targeting women's market activities. This move was deeply unpopular among the Igbo women of Aba, who felt their economic autonomy and social status were being threatened.

The riot was sparked by several factors, including:

1. Taxation: The introduction of taxes on women's market stalls and activities.
2. Lack of representation: Women felt their voices weren't being heard in colonial decision-making processes.
3. Economic hardship: The global economic downturn of the 1930s exacerbated economic difficulties for women traders.

The Riot:
In November 1929, thousands of Igbo women from Aba and surrounding areas gathered to protest against the taxation policy. The protests turned violent when women attacked Native Courts, European-owned businesses, and other symbols of colonial authority. The riot resulted in the destruction of property and loss of lives.

Aftermath:
The Aba Women's Riot led to significant changes in colonial policy:

1. Taxation review: The British administration reviewed and eventually abolished the taxation policy targeting women.
2. Increased representation: Women's voices were incorporated into colonial decision-making processes.
3. Empowerment: The riot marked a turning point in women's activism in Nigeria, demonstrating their ability to mobilize and challenge unjust systems.

The Aba Women's Riot remains an important milestone in Nigerian history, highlighting the struggles and resilience of women in the face of colonialism and patriarchy. It has inspired future generations of women's rights activists and continues to be celebrated as a symbol of women's empowerment.
It also showed what women and a people at large could achieve when they are united to achieve a goal.

We are all children of Africa, and none of us is better or more important than the other. This is what Africa could say to the world: it could remind it what it is to be human.

✒️...... Nelson Mandela

The list of Major military installations in Nigeria and their locations before the January 1966 coup are as follows :
Northern Region
• 3rd battalion. Kaduna [North]
• 5th battalion. Kano [ North]
• 1 field battery(artillery) Kaduna [ North
•1 field squadron(Engineers) Kaduna[ North ]
• 88 Transport Regiment. Kaduna [ North]
• Nigeria Military Academy. Kaduna[ North]
• Ordinance Depot. Kaduna[ North]
• 44 Military Hospital. Kaduna [ North]
•Nigeria Military Training College. Kaduna [North]
• Reconnaissance Squadron &Regimental Head Quarters. Kaduna [North]
• Nigerian Airforce. Kaduna [North]
• Ammunition Factory. Kaduna [North]
•Recruit Training Depot. Zaria [North]
• Nigerian Military School. Zaria [ North]

Western Region
• 4th Battalion. Ibadan [ West]
• 2 Feild Battery (Artillery) Abeokuta [ West]
• 2 Reconnaissance Squadron. Abeokuta [ West]

Eastern Region

1st Battalion. Enugu [ East ]

One of the measures by colonisers to concentrate power to a certain Region which they deemed would be easier to control rather than the untrusted other regions.....

ILARI ............

The ilari were imperial [royal ] agents who represented the imperial interests in all the governments of the provinces and the vassal states. ( most of them were eunuchs).
They acted as a link between the central and local governments and ensured adequate central supervision in a local government system that enjoyed adequate autonomy.

Did you know that When Mansa Musa assumed the throne of Mali, one of the ways he restored order in the empire was Conqeuring many places, including Gao in 1325. He also kept the two sons of the King of songhai as hostages to guarantee the good behaviours and submission if Gao to Mali rule.

The Benin Ivory Mask is believed to hold spiritual significance, representing the Iyoba (Queen Mother) Idia, who played a crucial role in the Kingdom of Benin's military victories. The mask is thought to possess mystical powers.
Some myths suggest the mask has magical properties, bringing protection, prosperity, and good fortune to the Benin people. It's intricate carvings and ivory material are believed to enhance its spiritual potency.

The myth about the Benin Ivory Mask having magical properties likely stems from its cultural significance and craftsmanship. In Benin tradition, ivory was highly valued for its durability and beauty, and the mask's intricate carvings were believed to hold spiritual power.

This myth may symbolize the mask's role in:

- Protecting the kingdom and its people
- Ensuring prosperity and good fortune
- Connecting the physical and spiritual realms

The mask's significance extends beyond its physical beauty, representing the rich cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs of the Benin people.

The Bile war [1770]

The Bile people are an ethnic group in the Niger Delta region, primarily located in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. They're believed to have migrated from the central Niger Delta region. Their language belongs to the Ijoid family, and their culture is rich in traditional practices like fishing, farming, and craftsmanship. The Bile people have a complex history, shaped by interactions with European traders and colonial powers, and are known for their resilience and adaptability.

The Bile war was fought between the Bile and Nembe city States in 1770. According to Tradition, King Irata of Nembe sent some traders to contact the European merchants in the east of bonny and Kalabari. The Nembe Traders were given warm reception by the King of Elem Kalabari who also sent a present of Ivory plates to King Irata when the Nembe traders were returning home.

At Bile while returning, the Nembe traders were attacked. Many of them were killed and others taken as prisoners of war.

It is stated that King Irata did not retaliate immediately. He and the King of Bile, according to tradition, were cousins. Perhaps the reason of his slow reaction.

But Iratas sister accused him for his attitude and slow reaction to avenge his people, raising concerns that prompted King Irata to order Nembes fleet to ambush Bile war canoes. In the fierce battle that ensued, Bile was conquered and the Bile King lost one of his eyes which was struck by King iratas arrow .

INDIRECT RULE IN NIGERIA ........

Lord Frederick Lugard introduced the Indirect rule system in Nigeria, a system to help maintain peace but ensure his control over the Nation and it's resources. But why?

Many reasons are always given for the introduction of the indirect rule in Nigeria. At the time the indirect rule system was introduced in Nigeria, having a direct rule system was close to impossible because of inadequate and inconsistent sources of finance.

This finance and manpower problem would definitely not let the course of a direct rule system stand and would bring issues as time went on, thus the idea of the indirect rule system.
From the Experience in India and Uganda, and both countries being introduced successfully into the indirect rule system, he therefore necessitised the introduction of the indirect rule system to Control Nigeria.

In the North was a favourable background in Nigeria for the indirect rule, there were fief- holders who could keep the new system. There was a revenue system which provided adequate revenue to run the Indirect rule system while there was a firm judicial system based on the sharia.
In the western part of Nigeria, the institution of Obas and chiefs also afforded favourable background for the introduction of indirect rule.

But in the eastern part of Nigeria Lord lugard failed to understand the traditional political system that operated there, their ways differed from that of the north and west, it was complex that they had no almighty leader and every man was respected by default of his value to to the society.
He thus created chiefs by warrant also known as warrant chiefs, as a kind of solution to aid in the input of indirect rule, this solution did not effectively work but helped him penetrative the system to an extent before actually causing present issues till today in modern day Nigeria.