Cultural Reawakening and Religion Since Independence

Abstract

The shape of events began to turn in Africa’s favour towards the end of 1950s when Ghana became one of the first African countries in south of the Sahara to gain her independence from the British imperialism. In fact, Ghana paved the way for other African countries. However, this did not mean that there were no agitations in other African countries colonized by foreign powers for freedom. Liberia and Ethiopia were already freed from foreign domination. But the independence of Ghana was a watershed in the history of African continent and this definitely paved the way for other African countries that were still not free.However, with the colonization of Nigeria by the British and indirect rule, there was a gradual awakening of political consciousness by the people, particularly the educated elite. The introduction of local government system later heightened this consciousness. Nigeria also did not close her eyes to the events taking place in other African countries, notable Ghana. Naturally, as the south had more educated people than the north, the struggle was spearheaded by the politicians in the south.For instance in 1930s, there had sprung up two political parties, the Nigeria youth movement and the Nigeria National Democratic party (NYM and NNDP) respectively. The two parties fought for the Africanisation of the civil service and for the abolition of discriminative practices against Africans which were then rampant in the governmental and commercial life of the country during the colonial era. It must be pointed out at this stage that neither party was a sectional nor regional in base, but nationalistic in ideology and had a wide following particularly in south and in middle belt of the north. Dr Azikwe brought with him a propaganda technique which was new in politics and journalism in Nigeria youth movement (NYM) and disarrayed its opponents.Nationalists who struggle for Nigeria independence included Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Nnamdi Azikwe. Chief Awolowo as a student in the United Kingdom founded the “Egbe omo oduduwa” whose aim among other things was to improve the condition of the people of Yoruba in particular and Nigeria in general. The action group (party) which was founded later was also led by Chief Awolowo. In the later years, both Dr Azikwe’s party, the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC) and the Action Group joined forces together to fight for Nigeria independence which was achieved in October, 1960.