I have studied various suggestions which have been put forward, and I can tell you that some of those which appear at first sight attractive are really quite impossible. That is the reason we in Nigeria will not be found to align ourselves as a matter of routine, with any particular bloc. I have studied various suggestions which have been put forward, and I can tell you that some of those which appear at first sight attractive are really quite impossible. If I think correctly, the whole purpose of this organization is to enable the different countries to work together in a friendly atmosphere to procure the peace and progress of mankind, and this cooperation is meant to link all the member nations, no matter what sort of Government each individual country enjoys within its own boundaries. On Saturday, October 1, 1960, Nigeria became an independent nation. First, it is the desire of Nigeria-as I have said already to remain on friendly terms with all nations and to participate actively in the work of the United Nations Organizations. It is true that elections cannot be held overnight. And here the United Nations can be of the greatest assistance, by providing the necessary experts to inquire and advise. Please do not think that we are not interested in other regions, and we hope to be allowed to assist in finding solutions to them through this organization. Nigeria is a populous country. At last, our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now indeed an independent sovereign nation. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa's speech delivered in Lagos at the Nigerian Independence Ceremony, on Saturday, October 1, 1960. I feel sure that we can do so, but it must be done collectively and not done merely as so many individual States. I feel sure that we can do so, but it must be done collectively and not done merely as so many individual States. Get every new post delivered right to your inbox. For this reason the Congo situation must be a matter to be dealt with primarily by African States at the political level. I am sure that late though it already is, it is not too late. Nigeria formally joined the UN in October 7th 1960 as the 99th Member State. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, “Independence Day” Speech “Today is Independence Day. Tags. I am particularly pleased that so many important representatives could come to Nigeria on that occasion, because they will be able to inform their Governments of the genuine desire of Nigeria to have friendly relations with you all. Now to deal with the more general problems of Africa; problems which are bound to arise when the Powers which colonized Africa in the last century are now relinquishing their control and granting independence to their former colonies. I hope that this policy will bring about an atmosphere of trust, and that if each country is given proper recognition and respect as a sovereign State, it will be possible to have effective cooperation on all matters of common concern to us. In all of its activities it is most essential that the United Nations make use of only the most able and experienced experts. I shall direct the complete demolition of the town for peace to reign.” An "emergency joint stakeholders meeting of Muslims and Christians representatives of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government areas" was held, and an agreement was reached. Until achieving our own independence, we have hesitated to add our views to the general discussion about the Congo lest we should merely add to the confusion. Below is the speech delivered by the Nigerian Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, during the celebration of Nigeria’s independence on October 1st 1960 at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. I am in some doubt as to the exact manner in which the Constitution granting independence to that country was drawn up by the colonial power which formerly administered the territory, and as to the degree of consultation  there was with the Congolese peoples themselves, and at what level that consultation was carried out. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Tafawa Balewa Square has many distinct features and welcomes visitors with an imposing entrance gate with four giant white horses and seven red eagles suspended above the gateway. “Today is Independence Day. So I wish to state that I think that it will be the greatest threat to peace in Africa if any country sets out to undermine the authority of the properly chosen leaders of other states with a view of imposing political union. For instance, there can be no question of the United Nations taking on the role of administering Power or of the Republic of the Congo being regarded as United Nations Trust Territory. ... Balewa, Nigeria’s first prime minister, delivered this speech on October 1, 1960. We in Nigeria appreciate the advantages which the size of our country and its population give us, but we have absolutely no aggressive intentions. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The General Assembly is the supreme conference in the world, and if the ideas on which it is based are really accepted, then one would expect every representative, no matter from where he comes, to feel absolutely free to express the mind of the country he represents, to feel that he is in no way restricted either by the lobbying of other representatives, or in the case of under-developed countries, by being put under an obligation through technical and financial aid. So I wish to state that I think that it will be the greatest threat to peace in Africa if any country sets out to undermine the authority of the properly chosen leaders of other states with a view of imposing political union. We do indeed believe in the United Nations as providing perhaps the only machinery for inducing world peace. But for the present, it is unrealistic to expect countries to give up their sovereignty which they have so recently acquired, and I am quite sure that it is wrong to imagine that political union could of itself bring the countries together. 1 October 2020. I should like to see students being freely admitted into the universities of other neighboring territories, and I am sure that by such steps, we shall entirely eliminate any desire or need to station armed forces on our frontiers. Full Text of Speech Delivered by Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, at Nigeria's Independence Ceremony, October 1st, 1960 On Saturday, October 1, 1960, Nigeria became an independent nation. Just one week ago the clocks were midnight and Nigeria was on the threshold of independence. In preparation the British Government named Abubakar Tafawa Balewa the first Prime Minister of the soon to be independent nation in a power sharing agreement among the colony’s three major political parties. Indeed, I wish that there were many more of them. That way can only bring trouble. One great advantage which we new nations have is that the accession to independent makes a clear break with our past and presents us with the opportunity to enter into the field of international relations untrammeled by prior commitments. Humanity First | Entrepreneur | Digital Nomad | Political Evolutionist ... Flashback: Tafawa Belewa’s Speech on October 1st 1960. That way can only bring trouble. We African States should come together to assist the Congolese to solve their problems. We are willing to learn before we rush into the field of international politics, but we are totally unwilling to be diverted from the ideals which we think to be true. Wikki Memes Brings You Updates on Current Affairs | Digital World | Opinions | Analysis | and Speeches of Prominent Personalities. BY ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA. For instance, what sort of government machinery is available to execute whatever policies may be decided upon the Congolese Government? Secondly, Nigeria, a large and populous country of over 35 million, has absolutely no territorial or expansionist intentions. INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH, 1960: Nigeria stands upon firm foundations –Balewa OCTOBER 1, 2012 BY SIR ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA 97 COMMENTS Today is Independence Day. Democracy Day, as well as other multifarious events such as musical jamborees and religious gatherings. However, I must say that I do not rule out the possibility of eventual union. We also believe that the Congolese people were right to appeal to the United Nations Organization for help and advice in rebuilding their country, rather than to turn to any individual power. *5th May, 2020* INTRODUCTION OF ONLINE TUTORIAL VIDEOS Being it part of the Students' Union Government's promises and in an indefatigable efforts to immensely contribute to academic related matters by supporting tutorials, assisting with educational … Nigeria@60: What Tafawa Balewa said in his independence speech Nigeria became a sovereign nation on October 1, 1960. It is perhaps natural that I should speak about Africa first. Last Saturday the country which I have the honor to represent, the Federation of Nigeria, became independent and assumed the rights and responsibilities of a sovereign State. Forces is not enough hon Yakubu DOGARA at Northern SECURITY MEETING at Sir AHMADU BELLO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, on... 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