WAEC Government 2019 Theory — Question 12

Model answer

(a) The NCBWA was established in 1917 by educated citizens from British West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia), led by Caseley Hayford from Ghana, holding its first conference in Accra in 1920. Its contributions to the nationalist struggle included: (i) It brought the four British West African territories together to fight for self-government. (ii) It sent a delegation to London to press home demands for key reforms in their respective territories. (iii) It awakened the political consciousness of the people through newspaper publications, seminars, and public/town hall meetings. (iv) It demanded and fought for electoral reforms/the elective principle. (v) It demanded the Africanization of the Civil Service. (vi) It demanded and fought for the establishment of universities in member territories. (b) Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe (popularly called 'Zik of Africa') was one of the pillars of nationalism in Nigeria and Africa. His contributions included: (i) He, alongside other nationalists, agitated for better deals for Nigeria from the colonialists through political parties and newspapers. (ii) He established a newspaper, The West African Pilot, which was critical of the colonial government and its policies and drew attention to the evils of colonialism. (iii) He participated in the various conferences that culminated in Nigeria's independence. (iv) He co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC), which played an active role in the struggle for Nigeria's independence. (v) His opposition to the Richards Constitution led to the promulgation of the Macpherson Constitution. (vi) He gave his support to the general strike of 1945. (vii) He influenced the nationalist struggle through the publication of several books, e.g. Development of Political Parties in Nigeria (1958) and Economic Reconstruction in Nigeria (1943). (viii) He joined the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) with others to open the floodgate for nationalism in Nigeria.