2002 - JAMB Government Past Questions and Answers - page 4

The leading agent in the expansion of British influence in Northern Nigeria in the 1890s was the Royal Niger Company.

United African Company was formed in 1879 followed by the National African Company. This trading company helped the Emir of Nupe to deal with his rebels. In July 1886, a charter was granted to the company and the name was changed to the Royal Niger company with head quarters at Lokoja.

The Company also served the purpose of developing backward areas in the North as well.

The Civilian government of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was ousted in a bloody coup led by major Chukwuma Nzeogwu in January 15, 1966. This first Military Coup in Nigeria then brought in Major General J.T.U Aguiyi Ironsi as the first Military Head of State of Nigeria.

On 29th day of January 1966, the Military Government was overthrown in a bloody coup staged by Northern Regional Army Officers led by Lt Col. Yakubo Gowon.

On July 29, 1975, the Miliatry government of General Yakubo Gowon was overthrown by General Murtala Muhammed in a bloodless coup. The coup took place while he, General Gowon was attending the O.A.U. summit at Kampala Uganda.

An aborted military coup was staged by Lt. Col. D.S.Dimka
Dinka on February 13, 1976. General Murtala Muhammed was killed in the exercise. General Olusegun Obasnjo then became the military head of state. On the 1st day of October, 1979, General Obasanjo handed over the mantle of leadership to Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the first Executive President of Nigeria.

On December, 31,1983, the civilian government of Shehu Shagari was overthrown by General Muhammed Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon when they were at Mecca.

So the two military coups that toppled civilian regimes in Nigeria were those of January 1966 and December 1983.

The main function of the Code of Conduct Bureau is to ensure accountability in government business.

General Murtala Muhammed and General Olusegun Obasnjo regime (1975 -1979) set up investigation Bureau and Special Tribunals to handle corruption changes in Nigeria.

The emirate system of administration can be likened to a constitutional monarchy.

The governments of the emirates were completely centralized. The Emirs controlled the Executive Legislative and Judicial powers of the emirates.

The Emirs who were the political, administrative and spiritual leaders appointed a number of officials assigned with specific duties, in the same way Queen of England has a prime minister and ministers for different ministries. For instance Waziri - The Prime Minister of the Emirate.

Sarkin Fada - The spokesman of the Emirate Sarkin Ruwa - Minister in charge of water Resources etc.

The abolition of the state ministries of local governments in 1989 entails that local governments are no longer subordinate to state governments.

Previously local governments in Nigeria were under the ministry of government. This means that all their activities were controlled by the ministries of Local Government. With this new development the local government is now a full fledged third tier of government. They can now take actions on any issue without reference to the ministry of local government.

Separation of powers is one major factor that differentiates the presidential from the parliamentary system.

In a Presidential system, there is strict separation of powers as the President and the ministers are not members of Parliament while on the Parliamentary System, there is much fusion of powers. Here the Prime Minister and the Cabinet members are members of the Parliament.

The main legislative body in Nigeria between 1966 and 1975 was the Supreme Military Council. It was the highest policy making body of government.

The question of Supreme Military Council (SMC) came into existence in 1966 during major General Aguiyi's regime who was the first Nigerian Military Head of State.

Other military regimes that retained the system were as follows: Gowon's regime 29th July 1966-29th July 1975.

Murtala Muhammed/General Obasanjo, 1976 - 1975 Buhari and Idiagbon, 1983 - 1985.

On August 27, 1985, General Ibrahim Babangida came into power and used the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) while General Sani Abacha came in with Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) in 1998.

Nigeria formally became a federation 1946.

It should be noted that the 1946 constitution only laid foundation for federalism. The constitution charged the provinces to three regions of North, East West regional assemblies without legislative powers.

In 1951, the Macpherson Constitution gave legislative powers on specific issues to the regional governments.

The true federalism was then established in 1954 by the Oliver Lyttleton Constitution with the division lists between the Central and the Regional governments.

The United Nations charter is an instrument that sets out the rights and obligations of member states.

It should be recalled that one of the aims and objectives of U.N.O is to promote respect for Fundamental Human Rights among Nations.

Authority of Heads of State and Government is the most active organ of the Economic Community of West African States.

It is the highest policy- making organ of ECOWAS
Other functions include:

1. Discussion of other economic matters

2. Ratification of treaties and agreements

3. Admission of new members

4. Appointment of the secretary-General and other key officials.

5. Supervision of implementation of the aims and objective of ECOWAS.

6. Consideration of reports from the secretariat.

7. Consideration of recommendations from the Council of Ministers.

The Organ comprises of the Heads of States and Government of all member-states or their accredited representatives.