The Prince eventually met with some of our traditional rulers on Wednesday, 7th November, 2018. And these are what, more than thousands of words, the meeting based on the picture released eloquently says about Nigeria.
On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, together with his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall arrived the shores of Nigeria. The visit was announced even weeks before he made it. And as usual, when he did arrive the prince, together with his wife, was welcomed with pomp and circumstance ; the colourful welcome started with a guard of honour for him. According to reports the Prince is in Nigeria on a three-day business and cultural tour of our country and also to mark the 75th Anniversary of the British Council In Nigeria.
The Prince eventually met with some of our traditional rulers on Wednesday, 7th November, 2018. And these are what, more than thousands of words, the meeting based on the picture released eloquently says about Nigeria.
Traditional Rulers’ Comportment, A Throwback To Indirect Rule
Indirect rule as a system of governance was majorly adopted by France and Britain in the era of colonial rule to manage their colonies. It is a system of government of one nation by another in which the governed people retain a certain administrative, legal, political and other powers. In Nigeria, it was first introduced by Lord Frederick Lugard during his years as high commissioner of the Northern Nigeria . Lugard’s objective was to conquer the entire region which eventually worked. He subdued local resistance using armed force when diplomatic measures failed. After which the governing of the protectorate was by entrusted into the hand of the defeated rulers. One of the features of Indirect rule is Native Authorities which were nothing but a glorified name for mere errand boys. And the way our traditional ruler comported themselves on Wednesday in the presence of Prince Charles with the evidence of the pictures released shows that they still have vestiges of subservience to colonial rule in them. In the picture they arranged themselves around, beside and behind, the prince leaving a yard of deferential distance and with demure smiles plastered on their faces like a bunch of slaves trying to please their master. And dressed with all the full accoutrements of their royalty. What exactly on earth did the Prince what to discuss with them that made them condescend to a son of an alien royal dynasty?
Nigeria Is Still A Protectorate
While we may keep celebrating our liberation from the shackles of colonialism and its allied oppression, the truth is that from all intent and purposes we are still tied to our colonial masters’ apron strings. Every now and then we give the impression that we behave like a fledgling in need of protection from our colonial masters. Our traditional rulers should let Prince Charles Know next time he visits us that the country is now a sovereign nation and not a colony and they are not under compulsion to be yesmen to him or what he represents.