Nigerian Historical Studies

The collection of writings brought together in this book was written within the last ten years in different circumstances and for different purposes. However, they have one thing in common: they were intended to shed new light, or strike new depths, or widen scope of knowledge on some aspects of Nigerian history in the context of the author’s researches. Certainly a work of this kind cannot possess the organic unity of a book purposely conceived as a monolith. Nevertheless, it has a unity of style and approach usually absent from multi-authored, organically conceived books. Notwithstanding the fact that historical scholarship on Nigeria has grown in size and depth in the past quarter of a century, I am consoled by the fact that the intention behind each chapter in this book has been achieved. Limited as it is to some aspects of Nigerian history in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and restricted in its geographical scope, the pieces do reveal in some measure, relevant and tantalizing historiographical issues. There is no need for me to reveal the background of this collection except to express my gratitude to those who should remain nameless, who have encouraged me to put together selected writings of mine concealed in journals and other specialized publications which, by their very nature, are not available to the wider world. One more word of thanks. Mrs Grace A.Bassey, my secretary, Miss Eme Bassey and Mr Sam R.Akpan produced the manuscript joyfully in record time.