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NIGERIAN CHRISTMAS CARD
Very old Nigerian christmas card
NIGERIAN POSTAGE STAMPS
Nigerian postage stamps, 1922. Note that only white British citizens were honored
on pre-independence Nigerian postage stamps. It did not come as a surprise that Nigerians
of that generation felt inferior and acted or wanted to be British.
NIGERIAN POSTAGE STAMP, 1936
A 1936 Nigerian postage stamp (two shillings six pence) issued in an era when the English boasted
that the sun will never set on the British Empire. In 1909, one in persons on Earth
were under British rule. Britain once ruled Canada, India and Nigeria (and even the United States).
NIGERIAN REGISTERED MAIL, 1936
1d and 4d stamps tied by 28 OCT 36 LAGOS cds on FFC Lagos to OSHOGBO. Upon arrival there it was forwarded back to Lagos by surface mail, therefore the air mail label was lined out. Registered backstamps LAGOS 28 OC 36, OSHOGBO 29 OC 36, and LAGOS 9 NO 36. Interesting.
1d and 4d stamps tied by 28 OCT 36 LAGOS cds on FFC Lagos to
OSHOGBO. Upon arrival there it was forwarded back to Lagos by surface mail,
therefore the air mail label was lined out. Registered backstamps LAGOS 28 OC 36,
OSHOGBO 29 OC 36, and LAGOS 9 NO 36.
CENSORED NIGERIAN LETTER, 1940
Apparently, it was the practice to censor all incoming letters to Nigeria. This is a
Rosicrucian (AMORC) letter with censorship stamp (mailed in 1940). My many Nigerians, including my father, believed
that AMORC membership will help them succeed in life.
STAMPED ENVELOPE, 1941
Stamped envelope mailed from Nigeria in 1941
QUEEN ELIZABETH II
Nigerian stamp issued in 1953 in celebration of the
coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In late 1954, I was
baptised in the Catholic church as "Philip" (after Prince Philip, the husband of
Queen Elizabeth II).
NIGERIAN INDEPENDENCE
School children at the first Independence Day celebration on October
1, 1960. By the early 1950s, Nigeria had only 150 lawyers, 160 doctors, 786
clergymen, and a population of 40 million, according to historian Basil Davidson.
When Nigeria became independent, it had an army of 8,000 men. With so few educated people, it did not
come as a surprise that its national anthem was written by a British woman.
NIGERIAN LEADERS
1962-Lagos, Nigeria - Parliamentary democracy has another chance
in Nigeria, which gained independence from Britain 10/1/1960.
The country is divided into three distinct regions,
all of which gained self-government before
Nigeria's independence, and have a large measure of
power. Shown here (L-R) are the leaders of the
three regions: Sir Ahmadu Bello, north Nigerian
premier; Chief Obafemi Awolowo, western leader; and
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, eastern leader.
ESSO NIGERIAN MAP, 1960
This is a road map of Nigeria produced by the oil company Esso in celebration of Nigerian
independence (1960 edition). Included is normal map things, such as city
maps ( Ibadan, Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos), as
well as a mileage chart from point A to point B.
UNIVERSITY CHAPEL, IBADAN
Catholic chapel, University College, Ibadan. The University College is the
alma mater of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe and many leading intellectuals of that
generation. Today, cult activities have ruined the reputation of this respected institution.
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, ENUGU, 1960
Eastern House of Assembly, Enugu, Nigeria (1960). Nnamdi Azikiwe was the governor in the 1950s and
Michael Okpara was the governor in the early 1960s.
BRITISH WEST AFRICA CURRENCIES
Three British west Africa bank note traded from a missionary who served there. This currency was in circulation before I was born.
BRITISH WEST AFRICA HALF PENNY
British West Africa holed copper nickel half-penny. As I recall, this coin was
minted in anticipation of the reign of King Edward VIII (who abdicated before his coronation to marry his American
mistress/divorcee). In 1960, I enrolled in first grade at
Saint Patrick's Primary School, Sapele (mid-western Nigeria). If I missed breakfast, mother
will give me this half-penny to buy my breakfast. We also had a coin called a "farthing,"
or one-quarter of a penny.
BRITISH WEST AFRICA 1/10 PENNY
British West Africa holed one-tenth-penny. As child, I remember my father talk with nostalgia
about the good olden days when his mother will go to Onitsha market with one-tenth penny.
My generation never used this coin but I am sure this must be the one dad fondly talked about.
30 BRITISH WEST AFRICA COINS
Thirty British West Africa coins (shillings and pennies).
NIGERIAN POUND BANK NOTE
In 1967, Nigeria introduced a new pound currency and declared the old currency circulating
within Biafran to be null and void. The Nigerian pound could buy
500 cups of garri in the mid-1960s.
Nigeria Ten Shillings Bank Note
As a boarder in secondary school in 1967, my term (three months)
allowance was ten shillings (or half-pound). This amount will cover my round trip transportation from
Agbor to Obiaruku (Midwestern Nigeria).
NIGERIAN FIFTY KOBO
Fifty kobo Nigerian bank note
NIGERIAN NAIRA BANK NOTES
Although Arabic is not an official language in Nigeria, all
Nigerian bank notes has Arabic inscription on them. A nation that
promotes an alien language, religion and culture is soon become
voiceless and dead. What should we expect when Nigeria has been mostly
lead by military despots who felt inferior to caucasians and Arabs?
NIGERIAN NAIRA BANK NOTES
One naira now equivalent to one American cent.
NIGERIAN POSTAGE STAMPS
Fifty Nigerian postage stamps
NIGERIAN DOLL
Adama, Avon Nigerian Doll
1966 DORMITORY PHOTO
1966, Erameh House, St. Georges Grammar School, Obinomba (Midwestern Nigeria)
Philip Emeagwali (age 11, leftmost in front row) at a catholic boarding school run by
an Irish priest (Thomas Kennedy). School curriculum included Latin, British
literature (Treasure Island), British history and Geography of Nigeria.
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