By Abdulahi Baba
1960 was a great year for Nigeria. It was the year a new independent Nigeria was born and the hail and ‘praises’ that heralded its attainment was reported to be overwhelming. It was a joyous moment for its citizens. The editorial of the defunct Nigerian Citizen newspaper captures the mood of Nigerians and its leaders vividly when it remarked “Today, a new nation is born; today, marks the end of more than a century of colonial rule in this country and the beginning of a new era of absolute freedom–freedom to rule ourselves as best as we can, to manage our affairs in the best interest of our people……..”
Even the country’s entrepreneurs were not left out in the pleasantries and expectations. John Holt entered the West African trade in 1862. Even in those early days, he regarded his business as a partnership between himself and his African traders. As at 1960 when Nigeria attained independence, the company he founded had pursued this principle to a high degree, it was a bubbling company which had branches throughout the country. It was not alone; the new country was a beehive of competition for both foreign and local businesses. One of such companies was the well known United Africa Company of Nigeria Limited (UAC). In its goodwill wishes to the government and people of Nigeria on its attainment of independence, it posited: “The UAC is proud of its long and close association with Nigeria and shares the nation’s joy on the attainment of independence. The company re-affirms its faith and confidence in the future prosperity of this great land.” The company also, had several branches throughout the country. The British Petroleum, popularly known as BP, in its goodwill message on the independence titled “Heralding the New Nigeria,” it wrote, “Confidently, a young and proud Nigeria faces its future; confidently, it looks ahead to vigorous years of progress, expansion and determined development.” The Nigerian Plastics Company (NIPOL) based in Ibadan, was not only excited about the independence, it was proud to reveal that the Nigerian government had contracted it to produce and present close to four million pieces of souvenir independence beakers to school children throughout the country!
The manufacturers of the most popular bicycle in the African continent, Hercules Cycle Company, were not left out in the hailing contest, it posted a screaming goodwill message; “Prosperity to Nigeria!, Success to all her enterprises! Happiness to all her Peoples!” The French merchandising company CFAO disclosed that for nearly a century, it had materially helped in the development of the country and the region. The company listed its imports to the country to include motor transport, technical machinery, textiles, electrical equipment and building materials while its exports include hides and skins, groundnuts, palm kernels, and cotton. It also maintained branches throughout the country.
Another famous merchandising company GB Ollivant indicated it had branches throughout the country and asserts “the flag of independence, now flying proudly over Nigeria, marks a splendid record of progress”. The company claimed it had not only traded for close to a century in the country, it has train large numbers of Nigerian managers and technicians thus bringing benefits to the whole country! The British Cotton Growing Association (BCGA) while congratulating the citizens also hinge its hopes on the unity that comes from common ties which it expect will lead to the nation’s growth and prosperity. At the period of independence, cotton crop is one of the country’s most valuable exports and contributes substantially to the economic development of the country. A G Ferrero, a building construction company offered its goodwill message laden with prayer and assurance; “we know that she (Nigeria) will increasingly play her part as the leader of the free nations of africa….,” and concluded thus… “may her prosperity ever increase”. Other companies like Taylor Woodrow Ltd Mitchells NTC, Gottschalck African Timber and Plywood Total Oil Products Messrs D’Alberto and Bogialla, 120 Moorgate Group, West African Drug Company, Bank of West Africa, British-French Bank among others all praised and hail ed the country. They all gave reassuring messages. From all indications most of the entrepreneurs were hopeful, so also were the then estimated 35 million Nigerians. 55 years have since passed and the performance is still very dismal, so what actually went wrong? The entrepreneurs who gave the reassuring messages at inception have laid low with some going extinct. Even the BCGA which boasted of 13 cotton ginneries at Zaria, Funtua, Malumfashi, Gusau, Mai Inchi, Kontagora, Kuru, Misau, Gombe, Kumo, Lamurde, Lokoja and Oshogbo has since winded up. What is left in these locations are sorts of vestiges showing that they once existed.
It is incomprehensible. Is it the policies that squezed them out of business? Why is it that almost all essential business ramifications are lacking and defective? When did the nation lose collective approach to developmental issues? When did we embrace corruption to the extent that we loot uncontrollably to the point of endangering the whole nation? While one could conclude that the commencement of the country is aglow, the same could not be said of its journey so far. The country requires collaborative efforts by all and sundries to move the nation ahead!
–Bala wrote in from Kaduna
