Nor would I limit advice and assistance to African countries, but would welcome the participation of other States; though I repeat I think it would be advisable to exclude the greater powers. SPEECH DELIVERED BY RT. This will entail giving additional powers to the United Nations force and to its other agencies, but only for a limited period, until new elections have been held. We in Nigeria have been fortunate in achieving our independence without bloodshed or bitterness, and I hope that this will lend weight to the proposals which I am about to set before you. Nigeria became a sovereign nation on October 1, 1960. ... Flashback: Tafawa Belewa’s Speech on October 1st 1960. Its completely spam free and you can opt out any time. 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. 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. 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. Without a proper and thorough analysis it is idle to pretend that an effective remedy can be prescribed. Nigeria is prepared to make its experience available and to send technical experts to assist in planning and development for the future. Nevertheless, with the information which is available to us, we in Nigeria feel there are several important factors to be constantly borne in mind in dealing with the problem. At last, our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now indeed an independent sovereign nation. At last our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now indeed an independent sovereign nation. 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. Just one week ago the clocks were midnight and Nigeria was on the threshold of independence. Notable buildings. 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. Today Nigeria has been admitted to the United Nations and assumes still more responsibilities. The first of these is that Africa must not be allowed to become a battleground in the ideology struggle. The first essential is to find a Government capable of governing, and for this it will probably be necessary to hold new elections in the Republic of the Congo. Nigeria became a sovereign nation on October 1, 1960. 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. We warmly applauded the immediate response of the United Nations to the Congolese disaster. Wikki Memes Brings You Updates on Current Affairs | Digital World | Opinions | Analysis | and Speeches of Prominent Personalities. At last, our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now… Balewa's father, Yakubu Dan Zala, was of Gere ethnicity, and his mother Fatima Inna was of Gere and Fulani descent. It is perhaps natural that I should speak about Africa first. Our Home Based Officers That way can only bring trouble. 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. Nigeria's Statements at the UN Security Council (2010-2011 Session). 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. In all of its activities it is most essential that the United Nations make use of only the most able and experienced experts. I wish to make our position plain beyond any measure of doubt with regard to the African Continent. So I think that the United Nations must take a much firmer line than hitherto and quite firmly support the Central Government in maintaining law and order and in keeping the machinery of day-to-day government moving. Nigeria at 60 - What Tafawa Balewa Said in His Independence Speech. I would not necessarily limit technical assistance to the United Nations, but I do seriously suggest that it is in the best interests of world peace for assistance from elsewhere to be given only to those countries which, although still under-developed, are politically stable and have a properly constituted government which is capable of understanding the risks of accepting aid from another country. BY ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA. In the fullness of time, as political relations develop and there is more and more consultation between the States of regional groupings, then political union may well be a natural result, but it would be wrong either to impose it or seek to hasten the process unduly. Advertisement. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, K.B.E., M.P., Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While you are on our website, we also recommend that you visit the pages listed below: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria Secondly, we believe that in dealing with the problem of creating a real political life in the country itself, it will be necessary to start at the bottom, by seeing that local and provincial authorities are established, while maintaining the essential unity of the country. Nigeria is a populous country. The recent tragic events in Republic of the Congo must be uppermost in all our minds, and it is about that country that I wish to speak to you first. Those are but a few of the ways in which the Congo can be helped. Fourthly, Nigeria hopes to work with other African States for the progress of Africa and to assist in bringing all African Territories to a state of responsible independence. I have said already that much of the present situation in the Congo is obscure. 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. 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. It is, therefore, our policy to leave those boundaries as they are at present, and to discourage any adjustment whatsoever. I wish to make our position plain beyond any measure of doubt with regard to the African Continent. 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. On the contrary, it will follow as a natural consequence of cooperation in other fields. ... Flashback: Tafawa Belewa’s Speech on October 1st 1960. To this end, I propose that those African States which hold the same views as Nigeria combine with us to find places in secondary and technical schools for some hundred of Congolese boys. That way can only bring trouble. The most serious problem in these cases seems to me to be that political independence is totally inadequate itself if it is not accompanied by stability and economic security, and if there is not genuine personal liberty, with freedom to express one’s views and to profess whatever faith one desires. To this end, I propose that those African States which hold the same views as Nigeria combine with us to find places in secondary and technical schools for some hundred of Congolese boys. It is, therefore, our policy to leave those boundaries as they are at present, and to discourage any adjustment whatsoever. Here’s a detailed article about Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa – the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, his speech at the first Nigeria Independence day on October 1 st 1960, how he became the first Leader in Nigeria and more.. Arise o compatriot, Nigeria’s call obey, To serve our fathers land with love and strength and faith, The labor of our heroes past, “shall never be in vain”, I have said already that much of the present situation in the Congo is obscure. October 1, 2019. in News, Nigeria, Politics. BY ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA. Nigeria First Independence Day Speech, 1960 By Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, K.B.E., M.P., Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria United Nations General Assembly, New York, NY 7th October, 1960 Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa led the Nigerian delegation to the fifteenth Regular session of the United Nations General Assembly during which he made this, the country’s maiden speech to… We in Nigeria appreciate the advantages which the size of our country and its population give us, but we have absolutely no aggressive intentions. I consider it essential that the United Nations should thoroughly investigate the root causes of the troubles which have arisen there, and I suggest the appointment of a fact-finding commission to look into the circumstances which caused the present crisis. In his inaugural speech delivered at the plenary session at the general assembly in New York on 8th October, Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa said ” Nigeria will participate actively in the work of the United Nations and uphold the principles upon which the United Nations was founded” . On behalf of my countrymen in Nigeria I thank you all most sincerely for accepting us as a fellow Member of this organization. The best way for them to assist us in reaching maturity is not by ideological propaganda, in whatever form it may be disguised, but by helping us genuinely, with really good will, to develop our resources and to educate our human material up to those standards which are necessary for proper development. 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. Indeed, I wish that there were many more of them. We African States should come together to assist the Congolese to solve their problems. But now I feel that it is my duty to put before you, and to ask for your sympathetic consideration, the possible solutions which are presented before us. That is the reason we in Nigeria will not be found to align ourselves as a matter of routine, with any particular bloc. ( Log Out /  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. 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. I think that all will agree that the present tension in the world is due to mutual suspicion and the efforts made by groups of countries to impose ideological notions of one kind or another on their neighbors. INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH, 1960: Nigeria stands upon firm foundations –Balewa OCTOBER 1, 2012 BY SIR ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA 97 COMMENTS Today is Independence Day. Enter your email to receive automatic update notifications from our website. Nigeria@60: What Tafawa Balewa said in his independence speech Nigeria became a sovereign nation on October 1, 1960. by Adejumo kabir. 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. There are about 35 million of us and our territory is relatively large. Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE (December 1912 – 15 January 1966) was a Nigerian politician, and the first prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Here is the full Sir AbubakarTafawa Balewa speechas the Nation’s prime minister prior to independence delivered at Tafawa Balewa square Lagos state. Directory of Nigerian Foreign Missions Tags. We are committed to uphold the principles upon which the United Nations is founded. Nevertheless, with the information which is available to us, we in Nigeria feel there are several important factors to be constantly borne in mind in dealing with the problem. So far, I have concentrated on the problems of Africa. We shall never impose ourselves on any other country and shall treat every African Territory, big or small, as our equal because we honestly feel that it is only on that basis of equality that peace can be maintained in our continent. World Chronicle 202: Brian Urquhart, UN Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs This article has been rated as Start-Class. The Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa's address to the nation on Independence day. 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. 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. When these have been held, there will be some properly authorized leaders with whom the United Nations Organization can cooperate. He reassured them of their future if they decided in the plebiscite to rejoin Nigeria and … You can use a text widget to display text, links, images, HTML, or a combination of these. It may be that, when we hear the world crying out for peace, we may receive the inspiration to deal with these intractable problems and be able to really devote all our resources to the advancement of mankind by applying those eternal truths which will inevitably persist long after we ourselves are utterly forgotten. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa has been listed as a level-5 vital article in People, Politicians. 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. I would not necessarily limit technical assistance to the United Nations, but I do seriously suggest that it is in the best interests of world peace for assistance from elsewhere to be given only to those countries which, although still under-developed, are politically stable and have a properly constituted government which is capable of understanding the risks of accepting aid from another country. Secondly, Nigeria, a large and populous country of over 35 million, has absolutely no territorial or expansionist intentions. 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. However, I must say that I do not rule out the possibility of eventual union. 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. I certainly deprecate direct assistance being given by individual power to countries which are not yet able to stand on their own feet and are potentially unstable, because such aid would only give rise to suspicion and, in the end, the receiving country may find itself involved in the ideological war, a thing which, as I have already said, we in Africa must do everything in our power to prevent. Cooperation is for each man to be true to his religious belief and to reaffirm the basic principles of his particular creed. Indeed, I wish that there were many more of them. 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. October 1, 2020. I hope that priority will be given in the various geographical groupings. It seems to me important to ensure that the ordinary day-to-day government is kept working, because if that is allowed to collapse, the difficulties will be increased a thousand fold. Today is Independence Day. In order to man the higher positions it will obviously be necessary to train the Congolese. It is true that elections cannot be held overnight. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa's speech delivered in Lagos at the Nigerian Independence Ceremony, on Saturday, October 1, 1960. Yet, however artificial those boundaries were at first the countries they have created have come to regard themselves as units independent of one another. But now I feel that it is my duty to put before you, and to ask for your sympathetic consideration, the possible solutions which are presented before us. 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. The colonizing powers of the last century partitioned Africa in haphazard and artificial manner and drew boundaries which cut right across former groupings. Secondly, Nigeria, a large and populous country of over 35 million, has absolutely no territorial or expansionist intentions. TODAY is Independence Day. Nigeria has long waited to celebrate freedom from the British colonial leaders, for an independent Nigeria. For this reason the Congo situation must be a matter to be dealt with primarily by African States at the political level. Will the result be a confederacy or a federation? 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. Nigeria is a populous country. Nigeria’s first Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa’s speech at the inauguration of the Organization of African Unity(OAU) in Ethiopia in 1963. But, being human, we are naturally concerned first with what effect our immediate neighborhood. The first of October 1960 is a date to which for two years every Nigerian has been eagerly looking forward. October 1, 2019. in News, Nigeria, Politics. I hope that priority will be given in the various geographical groupings. And here the United Nations can be of the greatest assistance, by providing the necessary experts to inquire and advise. For instance, what sort of government machinery is available to execute whatever policies may be decided upon the Congolese Government? Secondly, we believe that in dealing with the problem of creating a real political life in the country itself, it will be necessary to start at the bottom, by seeing that local and provincial authorities are established, while maintaining the essential unity of the country. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Many of the new African States are, indeed, potentially rich and should contribute to improving the world, but for the fact that they lack the technological knowledge and the financial capital necessary to develop their resources. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. © Copyright 2015 Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations | All Rights Reserved. Spreading political propaganda or more insidious infiltration through technical assistance can virtually rob any under-developed country of its freedom. 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. Federal Republic of Nigeria His father worked in the house of the district head of Lere, a district within the Bauchi Emirate. The State House of the Government of Nigeria Economic weakness is evident in a new country open to every kind of pressure and results in other countries depriving its people of the freedom to choose a form of government which they feel suits them best. ... Balewa, Nigeria’s first prime minister, delivered this speech on October 1, 1960. We have paid prize for unity through a bloody Civil War where about 3million Nigerians lost their lives. 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. At last, our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now indeed an independent sovereign nation. ( Log Out /  Nigeria at 60: Tafawa Balewa’s 1960 Independence Day speech 3 months ago read comments by Onyirioha Nnamdi Exactly 60 years ago, the first prime minister of Nigeria, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, made a very inciteful and well-worded speech to commemorate Nigeria's independence as a nation that at the time just broke loose from the shackles of colonialism. Today Nigeria has been admitted to the United Nations and assumes still more responsibilities. On January 22, 1961, Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, addressed the people of Southern Cameroons via Radio Nigeria. We do indeed believe in the United Nations as providing perhaps the only machinery for inducing world peace. Re: Read Nigeria's Inaugural UN Speech By Prime Minister Sir Abubakir Tafawa Balewa by Teacher1776(m): 3:38pm On Sep 20, 2017 Nigeria is prepared to make its experience available and to send technical experts to assist in planning and development for the future. Without a proper and thorough analysis it is idle to pretend that an effective remedy can be prescribed. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, (born 1912, Bauchi, Northern Nigeria—died January 1966, near Ifo, Nigeria), Nigerian politician, deputy leader of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), and the first federal prime minister (1957–66). Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa giving a speech on Independence day. On the contrary, it will follow as a natural consequence of cooperation in other fields. But while proudly and gratefully accepting membership in this supreme world body, may I frankly say that we who waited for admission have sometimes been concerned, lest our older and more powerful brethren are losing sight of the objective which, in founding this organization, they sought to serve. We are properly grateful for this recognition and for the generous friendly gesture made by so many Members who sent very distinguished delegations to join us in celebrating our accession to independence. That Republic has been declared independent, and if a practicable plan is to be worked out, we must accept the facts and arrange for assistance and advise, which the United Nations can give on an agency basis without infringing on the sovereignty of the Government. 7th October, 1960. I do not know how widely the provisions of the new Constitution were known in that country, or whether there is any pattern of administration going up from the village to the provincial and to the national level. Nigeria formally joined the UN in October 7th 1960 as the 99th Member State. STUDENTS' UNION GOVERNMENT (S.U.G) _MOSES OISAKEDE SECRETARIAT, YELWA CAMPUS_ Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. Premium Times (Abuja) By Adejumo Kabir. We must do it together and we must be entrusted with this responsibility by the United Nations and be given its full backing. It is an arduous and lengthy task to arrange elections in such a large territory, and some immediate action is required in the meantime. 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. Below is the speech delivered by the Nigerian Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, during the celebration of Nigeria’s independence… Read More » Nigeria is prepared to make its experience available and to send technical experts to assist in planning and development for the future. Yet, however artificial those boundaries were at first the countries they have created have come to regard themselves as units independent of one another. The Text Widget allows you to add text or HTML to your sidebar. Here I would say that to my mind it is most important that none of the great powers should be represented on the fact-finding commission because, however honest their intentions, it would be inevitable that they should be regarded as having a particular interest in the problem. It was also, I believe, the intention of the original promoters to see that countries which are now backward should be assisted in every possible way to develop so that they become world assets and not liabilities. rime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa led the Nigerian delegation to the fifteenth Regular session of the United Nations General Assembly during which he made this, the country’s maiden speech to the World body on 7 October 1960, the day Nigeria was admitted as the 99th member of the Organization. 1960 independence day nigeria Tafawa Balewa… The Audiovisual Library's mission is to provide access to and preserve the audiovisual archives from over 70 years of the history of the Organization. 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. Indeed, I hate the very ideas of blocs existing at all in the United Nations. Below is the speech delivered by the Nigerian Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa… On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained its independence from Britain following years of struggle for sovereignty by leaders from various ethnic groups in the country. That is the reason we in Nigeria will not be found to align ourselves as a matter of routine, with any particular bloc. And so, as we gratefully take the place to which you have invited us, we feel an immense responsibility to the world which you represent. We shall never impose ourselves on any other country and shall treat every African Territory, big or small, as our equal because we honestly feel that it is only on that basis of equality that peace can be maintained in our continent. 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. I think it is important that the United Nations should work only with those whom I have termed the authorized leaders. Humanity First | Entrepreneur | Digital Nomad | Political Evolutionist Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. There was a brief ceremony at which the leaders of three different faiths, each said a brief prayer. Many of the new African States are, indeed, potentially rich and should contribute to improving the world, but for the fact that they lack the technological knowledge and the financial capital necessary to develop their resources. 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. Yet the truth must be told no matter what and no matter whose ox is gored. 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. We see nation wrangling with nation, and we wonder how we can help. 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. Indeed, I hate the very ideas of blocs existing at all in the United Nations. We do indeed believe in the United Nations as providing perhaps the only machinery for inducing world peace. Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE (December 1912 -- January 15, 1966) was a Nigerian politician, and the only prime minister of an independent Nigeria.