5.3 Dithered GMD Transform Coder for Low Rate Applications
5.3.2 Numerical Example
To enable you to properly comprehend the origin of conflicts in Nigeria, this unit fully states and analyses the treaties signed in the Niger-Delta.
3.1.2 Treaty
Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empires of India and Co.
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empires of India and Co., and the Chiefs of Itsekiri being desirous of maintaining and strengthening the relations of peace and friendship which have so long existed between them; Her Britannic Majesty has named and appointed E. H.
Hewett, Esq., Her Consul for the Rights of Benin and Biafra, to conclude a Treaty for this purpose. E. H. Hewett, Esq. and the Chiefs of Itsekiri have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles.
ARTICLE I
Her Majesty the Queen, the Chiefs, and people of Itsekiri, hereby undertakes to extend to them, and to the territory under their authority and jurisdiction, Her gracious favour and protection.
ARTICLE II
The Chiefs of Itsekiri agree and promise to refrain from entering into any correspondence, Agreement, or Treaty with any foreign nation or Power, except with the knowledge and sanction of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government.
ARTICLE III
It is agreed that full and exclusive jurisdiction, civil and criminal over British subjects and their properties in the territory of Itsekiri is reserved to Her Britannic Majesty, to be exercised by such Consular or other officers as Her Majesty shall appoint for that purpose.
The same jurisdiction is likewise reserved to Her Majesty in the said territory of Itsekiri over foreign subjects enjoying British protection, who shall be deemed to be included in the expression ‘British Subject’
throughout this Treaty.
ARTICLE IV
All disputes between the Chiefs of Itsekiri, or between them and British or foreign traders, or between the aforesaid Kings and Chiefs and neighbouring tribes, which cannot be settled amicably between the two parties, shall be submitted to the British Consular or other officers appointed by Her Britannic Majesty to exercise jurisdiction in Itsekiri territories for arbitration and decision or for arrangement.
ARTICLE V
The Chiefs of Itsekiri hereby engage to assist the British Consular or other officers in the execution of such duties as may be assigned to them; and, further, to act upon their advice in matters relating to the administration of justice, the development of the resources of the country, the interests of commerce, or in any other matter in relation to peace, order, and good government, and the general progress of civilization.
ARTICLE VI
The subjects and citizens of all countries may freely carry on trade in every part of the territories of the Kings and Chiefs parties hereto, and may have houses and factories therein.
ARTICLE VII
All ministers of the Christian religion shall be permitted to reside and exercise their calling within the territories of the aforesaid Kings and Chiefs, who hereby guarantee to them full protection.
All forms of religious worship and religious ordinances may be exercised within the territories of the aforesaid Kings and Chiefs, and no hindrance shall be offered thereto.
ARTICLE VIII
If any vessels should be wrecked within the Jakri territories, the Chiefs will give them all the assistance in their power, will secure them from plunder, and also recover and deliver to the owners or agents all the property which can be saved.
If there are no such owners or agent on the spot, then the said property shall be delivered to the British Consular or other officer.
The Chiefs further engaged to do all in their power to protect the persons and property of the officers, crew, and others on board such wrecked vessels.
All claims for salvage dues in such cases shall, if disputed, be referred to the British Consular or other officer for arbitration and decision.
ARTICLE IX
This Treaty shall come into operation, so far as may be practicable, from the date its signature, except as regards Articles VI and VII which are to be left for negotiation on a future occasion.
The Scramble for Africa accounted for the British conquest of Nigeria.
The grant of a royal charter to the National African Company was a deliberate act by which Britain sought to guarantee her interest in the Niger Benue and Niger Delta. The Competition among the European powers accounted for the die-hard possession of Nigeria. Before then (that is the scramble in 1897) treaties for protection were signed between the British officers and the traditional rulers. The problems of these treaties were the doubt if these rulers understood the implication of the treaties. In earnest, a careful study of these treaties would show that the principle of democracy and sovereignty were subsequently jeopardized.
For example the deportation of Jaja of Opobo was a result of the fact that the British consul found it unbearable to tolerate the absolute control he had over Opobo. The real conflicts started in 1886 when a quarrel ensued between Jaja and the British. This quarrel had to do with the British traders attempt to gain direct access to Jaja’s hinterland markets. Jaja’s influence sufficiently frustrated the British traders from the area. In retaliation, the British reduced the fees paid to Jaja and Jaja retaliated by banning all trade with European firms, while he arranged to ship oil directly to Europe. Consequently, Jaja was removed and deported in the interest of British trade. A lot of unintended moves were associated with Jaja against the peoples so that there would be less
sympathy and the remaining traders would co-operate with British. The uncompromising stand of Jaja landed him in Ghana and as he was found guilty, later sent on exile to West Indies. The Jaja episode was the threshold of the problems in the Niger-Delta area. Hence, it was easy and profitable for British to control the political-economy.
The presence of the British in the Itsekiri Kingdom was also economically oriented. However, Nana Olomu, an Itsekiri ruler resisted economic domination. Olomu was from a wealthy family and therefore a successful trader, whose inheritance further earned him prestige. Just as it was in the days of Jaja, Nana restricted the dominance of British and the British resorted to the use of force because they could not even access Nana’s domain. Eventually, he was captured in Lagos and sentenced to life deportation.
4.0 CONCLUSION
In the case of Niger Delta areas, little can it be described as full of conflicts before 1900. Rather, it could be seen as viable for the exploration of oil palm which was very germane to development in Europe. It is relatively clear and less disputable that the rulers did not really understand the future implication of the treaties. To the British, it was a protection treaty, while to Nigerians it was referred to as peace treaty. This basically facilitated the penetration of the British in the Niger-Delta. However, it is possible that the treaties were signed on the basis of racial superiority. It might be that the citizens then perceived them as better and perfect human beings, not taking into cognizance that civilizations are not in the same dimensions.
5.0 SUMMARY
The statement of treaties was to present to you a clearer picture of the nature of British incursion to the Niger-Delta and the problems or hardships faced by the major rulers as explained in the case of Jaja of Opobo and Nana Olomu of Itsekiri.
6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
Is it a right assertion to describe the treaties as peaceful?
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS
Ikime I. (1969).Niger Delta Rivalry. London: Longman.Ikime T., (1977). The Fall of Nigeria. London: Heinemann Books.
Ikime I. (ed) (1980). Groundwork of Nigerian History. Ibadan:
Heinemann Books.