Harold Smith, an Oxford University graduate, is one of the British political architects who designed the kind of independence they wanted to give to Nigeria on October 1, 1960.An octogenarian, he once appeared on a popular television programme in London and spoke extensively on how he conspired with a few others to lay a dangerous foundation for Nigeria more than 50 years ago, the effect of which is still being felt in the land.I saw the piece on the internet last week and it was revealing.Smith said: 'I am in my 80s now. In the past, they did not want me to say anything but now, I don't want to go to my grave without telling the truth about the atrocities perpetrated in Africa by the colonialists.'Our agenda was to completely exploit Africa. Nigeria was my duty post. When we assessed Nigeria, this was what we found in the Southern region; strength, intelligence, determination to succeed, well established history, complex but focused life style, great hope and aspirations. 'The East is good in business and technology, the West is good in administration and commerce, law and medicine, but it was a pity we planned our agenda to give power 'at all cost' to the Northerners. They seemed to be submissive and silly of a kind. Our mission was accomplished by destroying the opposition at all fronts. The West led in the fight for the independence, and was punished for asking for freedom. They will not rule Nigeria!'The Census results were announced before they were counted. Despite seeing vast land with no human but cattle in the North, we still gave the North 55 million instead of 32 million. This was to be used to maintain their majority votes and future power bid. 'The West without Lagos was the most populous in Nigeria at that time but we ignored that. The North was seriously encouraged to go into the military. The belief was that the South may attend western education, but future leaders will always come from military background. Their traditional rulers were to be made influential and super human. The Northerners were given accelerated promotions both in the military and civil service to justify their superiority over the South. Everything was to work against the South. We truncated their good plan for their future. 'I was very sorry for the A.G. It was a great party too much for African standard. We planned to destroy Awolowo and Azikiwe well, the West and the East and sowed a seed of discord among them. We tricked Azikiwe into accepting to be President, having known that Balewa will be the main man with power. Awolowo had to go to jail to cripple his genius plans for a greater Nigeria.'The British agenda of colonialism in Nigeria was originally to help build Africa after the ruins of slave trade, but the British only looked after themselves and not after Nigerian interest. The British really let Nigeria down. When I see a Nigerian being accused of fraud and from what I saw on the streets of Lagos, the British were worst fraudsters.'Concerning Northern leaders, if they have any agenda in Nigeria at all, sadly it is only for the North, and nothing for Nigeria. The British looked after the British people and this is so all over the world. The time has come now to see people of intelligent minds with an open and inclusive agenda for all Nigerians in power'people who will really look after Nigeria's large population.'I still curiously and sorrowfully see now that the British has not let go of Nigeria'her wealth,. her potential, her future. The Caucasian people now assert themselves as the keeper of the 'New Age' keys. It is only logical for Europeans to maintain their position of power, scientific superiority, economic exploitation. They must continue to perpetuate their lies and falsehoods and this is the most unkindest cut of all in relation to the Nigerian situation.'Nigeria, a great nation, was crippled not because of military juntas or corrupt leaders alone but by the British and American fear of Nigeria's great future. The fear of the place that will be our 'dumping ground' really occupied our minds'.'It was my duty to carry out all of the above and I was loyal to my country. Nigerians should try to be loyal to their country's leaders and followers alike. Love your country. You have got the potential to be great again and the whole world knows this.'I am sorry for the above evil done to Nigeria. I can't say sorry enough'''Immediately I read Smith's open confession, my mind went to a verse I love to read always in the Bible. Ephesians 6: 24 says: Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ IN SINCERITY (emphasis mine).Obviously, the colonial masters did not hide their intention to exploit Nigeria and Nigerians, using their sole administrators, so to say, (Lord this, Lord that) to keep the restive people in check.And when the wind of change started blowing in Africa in the late 50s and early 60s, they had no choice than to leave. However, they vowed, just like former President Olusegun Obasanjo vowed when he was denied Third Term on May 16, 2006, that they would leave a time bomb which would continue to put the country on the edge.Some of the things Smith said were not new to Nigerians or to the whole world but to hear it from the horse's mouth (as we say) is quite revealing.I referred to the Bible verse because anything you do devoid of sincerity will not last. When the British were on the rampage, they thought they were on top of the world. But where is Britain today' I am a student of history and I know that Britain conquered the United States, India and other very powerful nations. But can we compare Britain with them today in terms of economic power, influence and even military strength'In summary, let me say that Britain is today a shadow of itself because there is no way you will sow maize and reap okro. That serves them right but are we saying that even if Britain left a time bomb in the country, are we not intelligent enough to know this and diffuse the bomb'Can't we, for once, create a scene and say 'enough of this manipulation from colonial masters'' Do we honestly think we can create a new Nigeria without creating a scene'Many things in the country today do not make sense to me. We all know that ethnicity and religion will not take us anywhere. Nigeria will only move forward if we all decide that the country must move forward. It is begging the issue by using ethnicity and religion as launching pads to national prominence. It has never worked and it will never work.Granted that the British have done their worst but are we not foolish to allow the worst thing to continue to stick in our minds, controlling us in the process'With all the vices in the land, another one has been added to the madness. We have now become bombers. And unfortunately, innocent Nigerians are the targets.Last Monday, a dangerous text message went round Lagos, creating panic among the residents. On Thursday, the reality became manifest when workers at the popular Motorways Centre Building, very close to the old Toll Gate on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway (photograph above) were quickly evacuated due to a bomb scare.What exactly is going on in this country' During the Christmas and New Year festivities, bombers struck in Jos and Abuja. Of course, the victims were not Britons but Nigerians. Smith confessed that the colonial masters caused havoc while they were in Nigeria and planted time bombs when they finally left but since their departure more than five decades ago, we have seen the administration of new internal colonial masters by fellow Nigerians, doing more damage to the country. Since 1960, what foundation have we laid to define us as a people with a future' Vain things have been elevated to the extent that they have become the norms. These are responsible for the lack of patriotism in our leaders, and the lackadaisical attitude of our elite, when it comes to pillaging and the destruction of the common wealth. It is also the cause of violence, insecurity, and the perpetual underdevelopment of the country. It is so bad that leaders will continue to impoverish the citizenry and use religion as a decoy to justify their evil ways. Unfortunately, the led will not know that they are being used as a toy in the chess game.I can confidently say that I am a Christian and a good one for that matter. So, nobody should tell me that I don't know what I am saying but I am yet to be convinced how religion will bring food to the table of Nigerians if the right thing is not done to ensure good governance.How many people are we going to tell that the British planted a time bomb decades ago when we have continued to do everything possible to plant thousands of more bombs in the land' For God's sake, the British also planted a time bomb in the United States. Thank God, we did not fight a war before we got our independence in 1960 but Americans fought before they got theirs on July 4, 1776. The only difference is that to Americans, what Britain did was just a passing phase which has become history. The United States is ruling the world today but before getting to this position, it created a scene.Look at the way Nigerians were killed through bombs on December 24 and 31 last year all in the name of ethnicity, religion, politics and what have you. Are Britons responsible for these killings'We are more than 50 years as a nation. For how long shall we continue to blame the colonial masters for our woes' When are we going to create a scene to have a better Nigeria'Article first published on January 8, 2011
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