The British press and the Nigerian civil war: the Godfather complex
Date
1979
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ibadan: Publisher University Press Limited,
Abstract
The British press and the Nigerian civil war; British supply of Arms; Political settlement; Relief supplies; Civilian bombing (Genocide); The Epitaph; Race and the British press.
Description
Before the advent of the Civil War in 1967 several factors had been responsible for the very special relationship existing between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So special was this relationship that a Nigerian expert on Anglo-Nigerian affairs referred to it as an ‘Anglo Nigerian Entente’. These factors were: Firstly, Nigeria was a British creation in the sense that the political boundaries of Nigeria were drawn up by Britain; even the name, Nigeria, was coined by Lady Lugard, wife of the famous Lord Lugard. Secondly, up till the time of the coup, Nigeria was the success story of British-inspired federalism, while attempts in other parts of the Commonwealth had resulted in failure. Thirdly, the post-independence leaders of Nigeria, especially the Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who was well respected for his moderation and humility, got on very well with successive British Governments. In fact so much was he respected, that he was allowed to host and chair the first Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference to take place outside London. Fourthly, Nigeria was regarded as the best example of a successful British experiment in colonisation and decolonisation.