But, nevertheless, we do intend to ally ourselves as a matter routine with any of the Power blocs. 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. ... Flashback: Tafawa Belewa’s Speech on October 1st 1960. We warmly applauded the immediate response of the United Nations to the Congolese disaster. 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. 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. Yet, however artificial those boundaries were at first the countries they have created have come to regard themselves as units independent of one another. That is the reason we in Nigeria will not be found to align ourselves as a matter of routine, with any particular bloc. We in Nigeria appreciate the advantages which the size of our country and its population give us, but we have absolutely no aggressive intentions. The first of October 1960 is a date to which for two years every Nigerian has been eagerly looking forward. © Copyright 2015 Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations | All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. It is especially in this field that I commend the many schemes which the United Nations has sponsored for assisting the underdeveloped countries. 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. The first of October 1960 is a date to which for two years every Nigerian has been eagerly looking forward. But, being human, we are naturally concerned first with what effect our immediate neighborhood. I am speaking frankly to you, Mr. President, because this is the first occasion on which my country has been able to speak out in the councils of the world. 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 became a sovereign nation on October 1, 1960. 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. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. New York, NY. Jump to navigation Jump to search. We see nation wrangling with nation, and we wonder how we can help. Below is the speech delivered by the Nigerian Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, during the celebration of Nigeria’s independence… Read More » 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). 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 think it is important that the United Nations should work only with those whom I have termed the authorized leaders. 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. But, nevertheless, we do intend to ally ourselves as a matter routine with any of the Power blocs. 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. 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. It is true that elections cannot be held overnight. Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, KBE (December 1912 – 15 January 1966) was a Nigerian politician, and the first prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Nigeria at 60 - What Tafawa Balewa Said in His Independence Speech. 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. We are committed to uphold the principles upon which the United Nations is founded. I frankly admit that there are many features of this seemingly intractable problem which remain obscure to me. Official Flag of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, 828 Second Avenue New York, NY 10017, Maiden General Assembly Statement at the United Nations, Our Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Our Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Nigeria's Statement at the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly, Nigeria at the United Nations: Picture Archive, Video Archives of Nigeria at the United Nations, The State House of the Government of Nigeria, The Consulate General of Nigeria, New York, Nigeria's Statement at the 69th General Assembly, Nigeria's Statements at the UN Security Council (2010-2011 Session). SPEECH DELIVERED BY RT. 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. Spreading political propaganda or more insidious infiltration through technical assistance can virtually rob any under-developed country of its freedom. But, being human, we are naturally concerned first with what effect our immediate neighborhood. 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. 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. 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. The Consulate General of Nigeria, New York, About the United Nations 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. 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. We can also lend professors and teaching staff from the time to give short courses and lectures, and I assure you that many qualified Nigerians are eager to take part in such work during their school and college vacations. Today is Independence Day. Before proceeding to deal in detail with the many questions which are of interest to my country, it is better to state briefly the principles which we have accepted as the basis of our policies in international relations. I do not think that it was ever the intention of any of those countries which were responsible for the creation of this Organization to turn it into an arena where party politics could be played on the highest level, and where ideological differences would obscure the main objective of securing peace among the nations and stability in the world at large. Cooperation is for each man to be true to his religious belief and to reaffirm the basic principles of his particular creed. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa giving a speech on Independence day. In all of its activities it is most essential that the United Nations make use of only the most able and experienced experts. We must do it together and we must be entrusted with this responsibility by the United Nations and be given its full backing. I am not criticizing any of the United Nations Staff now serving in Congo, but I do want to emphasize that if this problem is to be solved, it is absolutely necessary to procure the services of men who are really knowledgeable and capable of working out practicable means of dealing with the various questions. 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. Secondly, Nigeria, a large and populous country of over 35 million, has absolutely no territorial or expansionist intentions. Nigeria became a sovereign nation on October 1, 1960. They may seem to some of us to be far from perfect, and to some even objectionable; but if they are duly chosen by a majority, then they must be supported. Will the result be a confederacy or a federation? Will the result be a confederacy or a federation? The Tafawa Balewa Square, (TBS) is a 14.5-hectare (35.8-acre ... Tafawa Balewa, delivering his speech. I am told that the lower branches of the civil service are efficient, that the public utilities continue to function and that there is a fair amount of executive capacity. Humanity First | Entrepreneur | Digital Nomad | Political Evolutionist 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. On behalf of my countrymen in Nigeria I thank you all most sincerely for accepting us as a fellow Member of this organization. I hope that priority will be given in the various geographical groupings. October 1, 2020. 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. The first of October 1960 is a date to which for two years every Nigerian has been eagerly looking forward. For this reason the Congo situation must be a matter to be dealt with primarily by African States at the political level. 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. 1960 independence day nigeria Tafawa Balewa. That is the reason we in Nigeria will not be found to align ourselves as a matter of routine, with any particular bloc. We do indeed believe in the United Nations as providing perhaps the only machinery for inducing world peace. 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. At last, our great day has arrived, and Nigeria is now… But from what I have heard I believe that the situation is not so desperate as is sometimes thought. However, I must say that I do not rule out the possibility of eventual union. 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. We have seen them all seeking admission to this Organizations as separate states. For instance, what sort of government machinery is available to execute whatever policies may be decided upon the Congolese Government? 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. 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. The colonizing powers of the last century partitioned Africa in haphazard and artificial manner and drew boundaries which cut right across former groupings. Before proceeding to deal in detail with the many questions which are of interest to my country, it is better to state briefly the principles which we have accepted as the basis of our policies in international relations. ... Balewa, Nigeria’s first prime minister, delivered this speech on October 1, 1960. Nigeria has long waited to celebrate freedom from the British colonial leaders, for an independent Nigeria. 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. ... Flashback: Tafawa Belewa’s Speech on October 1st 1960. We in Nigeria honestly believe in the principle of the United Nations, and we believe that with a change of heart among the members and especially among the more powerful nations, there is no reason why there should not be peace and happiness. 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. When these have been held, there will be some properly authorized leaders with whom the United Nations Organization can cooperate. I am sure that late though it already is, it is not too late. ... Balewa, Nigeria’s first prime minister, delivered this speech on October 1, 1960. It is especially in this field that I commend the many schemes which the United Nations has sponsored for assisting the underdeveloped countries. BY ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA. Indeed, I hate the very ideas of blocs existing at all in the United Nations. Today is Independence Day. Cooperation is for each man to be true to his religious belief and to reaffirm the basic principles of his particular creed. 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. 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… Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, K.B.E., M.P., Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 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