Amalgamation: Lord Lugard was a good soldier, but a bad administrator, says alake of egbaland
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo has faulted the 1914 Amalgamation of Nigeria, declaring that the British colonial act initiated by Lord Lugard was a negative effect on the Egba nation.
Penpushing reports that Gbadebo made the declaration at the 50th edition of the President’s party of the Abeokuta Club held inside Alake Hall within the club premises located along Presidential Boulevard, Abeokuta.
The royal father who frowned at the amalgamation, said Lugard was no doubt a good soldier, but was a bad administrator, recalling that Egba nation has been in existence before Lugard’s introduction of amalgamation which thwarted the administrative competence of the Egba nation.
‘Lord Lugard was a good soldier, but a bad administrator. Egba has been a nation before introduction of amalgamation. The Egba United Government was stablished around 1830’, he stated
Penpushing further reports that it would be recalled that the Amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 was the British colonial act that merged the Northern and Southern Protectorates and the Lagos Colony into a single entity.
The Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria, primarily for administrative convenience and economic benefit, as stated by Sir Frederick Lugard, and this unification, while creating the modern Nigerian state, also brought together diverse peoples with distinct cultures, leading to ongoing challenges and debates about national unity, noted by the Institute for African Studies and The Global Journal of Human-Social Science.
Penpushing also reports that Lugard, the British Governor-General who oversaw the merger territories, used the surplus funds from the South to cover the deficits in the North, as well as for easier governance and development coordination.
The record showed that it forged a single nation but equally highlighted deep-seated differences in religion, culture, and aspirations between the North and South, while as at today Nigerian scholars and leaders continue to discuss whether the amalgamation was a benefit or a hindrance to national cohesion. according to A. Adeleye in Vanguard.
Penpushing reports that the Egba nation’s history centers on their migration and founding of Abeokuta emerging as an independent Yoruba group from the collapsing Oyo Empire, characterized by fierce resistance against invaders like Dahomey, a unique constitutional monarchy, and early adoption of Western influences, becoming a key center for trade and culture in Nigeria.
The Egba were initially under the Oyo Empire but sought freedom due to oppression and the empire’s decline, however, around the late 18th century, Lisabi organized the Egbe Aaro mutual aid society, leading a successful rebellion to free the Egba from Oyo rule by eliminating the Alaafin’s tax collectors (Ajele).
Penpushing further reports that following conflicts and invasions, the Egba migrated to a defensible site, founding Abeokuta, meaning “under the rock,” protected by the Olumo Rock, while Egba United Government featured a constitutional monarchy with representative elements, recognizing the Alake of Ake as paramount ruler, alongside councils of chiefs.
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