Introduction
Throughout history, many vulnerable and less privileged children, men and women have been known to be dependent on more privileged people who had contributed to their survival in terms of providing food, financial support, shelter, education and so on.In the same Vein, many Vulnerable nations, especially in Africa, had n their history been dependent or under the hegemony, administration or governance of other nations which were more developed economically and politically. It is not an error of history, therefore, that Nigeria was under the administration of Britain. Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia were British colonies in the West African sub-region. The control of Nigeria by Britain spanned several decades from the 19th century to independence in 1960. This epoch produced a number of legacies that are still prominent and visible in the country today. Therefore the history of some prominent monuments in Nigeria is a direct product of this interaction.
British influence began with the prohibition of the slave trade in 1807. The British annexed Lagos in 1861 and established the old River Protectorate in 1864. British influence in the Niger area increased gradually over the 19th century, but Britain did not effectively occupy the area until 1885. Other European Powers acknowledged Britain’s power over the area in the 1885 Berlin conference. From 1855-1899, much of the country was ruled by Royal Niger Company, authorised by Charter and governed by George Tadman Goddie. In 1900, the Southern and Northern Nigeria Protectorates passed from the hands of the company to the crown at the urging of Governor Frederick Lugard. The two territories were amalgamated as the colony and protectorate of Nigeria in 1914. Progressive constitutions after World War II provided for increasing representation and electoral government by Nigerians. The colonial period proper in Nigeria lasted from 1900 to 1960 after which Nigeria gained independence.
British colonial legacies in Nigeria
It is a common knowledge that the British brought into Nigeria a lot of indispensable elements which in a way can be said to be legacies left behind by them. For instance: the economic system, legal system, constitutions, Christian religion, colonial styled architecture and administration, language and so on. Though Nigeria exists as an independent entity today, it’s political, economic and religious system still reflects the legacies and machinations of the British government. Take, for instance, the official language is still English alongside some other Anglophone West African countries such as Ghana, Sierra Leone and the Gambia.Worthy of note also, are the various colonial structures which are spread across Nigeria till date. Most of these structures have been declared as national monuments while some others have not. Examples include:Old Residency Calabar (declared a national monument on 14th (August, 1959).Chief Egbo Bassey House (declared also on 14th August, 1959).The old consulate Building in Calabar (declared on the 14th August 1959 through this particular building has been demolished).Museum of colonial History in Lokoja (not declared yet) (5) Old secretariat Lagos (declared on 6th (August 1982).Kaduna steel foot Bridge (declared on 16th February, 1956) and so on.
THE OLD SECRETARIAT
The old secretariat building was designed and built by the Public works department (PWD) of the British colonial government of Nigeria about 1906. The declaration of Lagos first as the seat of southern protectorate in 1906 and later the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914, with the colony of Lagos becoming the seat of government of Nigeria precipitated a boom in the erection of buildings by the Public Works Department during this period. The prominent colonial styled architecture in Lagos is the style of the old secretariat. The secretariat was built in the form of letter “E” in honour of the then colonial administrator, Sir Egerton. The building served as government secretariat with offices for the colonial secretary and a large number of ministries. The office of Lord Lugard is still there till date though in a state of dilapidation. Part of the building is currently occupied by the federal Ministry of Justice.
DESCRIPTION/FEATURES
The old secretariat building is built with bricks and it comprises 77 large rooms with large well treated wooden windows which help to keep the rooms cool. It has corridors on either sides of a single row of offices. The building has two magnificent towers at the Marina end and a large wall clock facing the gate.The building is located at No 14 Marina, Lagos. It is bounded on the west by Nitel communication building; on the east by the Lagos State Mortuary building and directly behind the building to the North is the Lagos State general Hospital.
SIGNIFICANCE
The old secretariat building was declared a national monument on 6th August, 1982, hence forming part of our cultural heritage.The location of the old secretariat building on Lagos Island Marina makes it a strategic site as this is a business environment.The presence of the Library dating to colonial times gives access to vital information and archival materials thereby enhancing education, information and value to the building.Another significance of the building is the historical value and the use for which the monument was constructed which depicts the colonial period of governance in Nigeria.The old secretariat building and it’s environ is aesthetically pleasing and it has close proximity to the sea.The building also has large packing space and there is easy access to nearby taxi parks and bus terminus thereby making the monument accessible for tourism purposes.
KADUNA STEEL FOOT BRIDGE HISTORY
During Lord Lugard’s era as Governor of the Northern protectorate; apart from being instrumental to the successful amalgamation of Nigeria, his other achievements remain indelible in the annals of the development of Nigeria. In 1904, Lord Lugard constructed a foot bridge which was named after him as (Lugard Foot Bridge). The bridge served as a link between his residence and other quarters of colonial Zungeru over river Kaduna.Shortly after amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates, Kaduna was made Northern Headquarters in preference to Jebba or Lokoja in 1920 by Lord Lugard. The Zungeru foot bridge was moved to Gamji gate, Kaduna in 1954 and was declared a historic monument on 16th February, 1956 by the Federal Department of Antiquities now National Commission for Museums and Monuments under Antiquity ordinance of 1953.
DESCRIPTION/FEATURES
The bridge is mounted over a tributary of river Kaduna which flows through Gamji Park. The Bridge’s main body/deck is made up of strong iron, lattice design and other complementary features for safety and aesthetic purposes such as hand rails, wire gauzes while beams, girders, concrete, are basically for structural strength and balancing of the bridge. It is made up of 42 wooden steps with its desk and pillar painted Green white Green like our National flag. The bridge is supported by two pillars on both sides which are further attached to a beam and abutments which as mentioned earlier, and for structural strength.The bridge is 14.2m long and 1.75m wide. It is an example of colonial engineering and construction before the advent of motorable roads and railway lines in Nigeria and a master piece which still maintains a solid shape, considering its age and exposure to harsh weather even though occasional maintenance is carried out.
LOCATION
The Kaduna steel foot bridge is currently located in General Hassan Usman Katsina Park (formerly Government Garden) which was established shortly after amalgamation of Nigeria and lies at N10030311 E007027. 206 with an elevation of 586m above sea level.
SIGNIFICANCE
The bridge currently serves as a tourist attraction to teaming populace.It also serves as a reminder of infrastructure laid by the colonial administrators.The fact that the desk and pillar of the 42 wooden steps of the bridge are painted Green White Green like our National flag depicts love and patriotism for the Nation and also it would showcase Nigeria to the world.The location of the bridge in the General Hassan Usman Katsina Park makes it noticeable and accessible to both passers-by and tourists.CONCLUSION I sincerely agree with Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi of the legacy group who opines that “till today, if you go to Britain, you would see ancient Roman relics that have been preserved and in perfect condition.
Though, the British people could not have been happy that in those days Britain was conquered by the Roman Empire, but is a fact of their history”.In the same vein, the colonialists that came to Nigeria are also part of our history. Lord Lugard, whether it makes us happy or not, was the one who actually brought Nigeria’s name to being (the name was actually given by his wife Flora Shaw) during the Northern and Southern amalgamation in 1914 and therefore part and parcel of our history as it is generally said that “for you to know where you are going and actually get there, you must know where you are coming from.”From the above write-up, it would suffice to say that the colonialists or our colonial masters actually contributed to the development of national monuments in Nigeria, most of which are still standing today as contained in this paper. These monuments from part of our history and cultural heritage and therefore need to be preserved for posterity.
