Flag of Nigeria (1914–1960)

Flag of Nigeria 1914–1960

The Flag of Nigeria between 1914 and 1960 was a British blue ensign with a green Star of David surrounding a Tudor Crown (later changed to a St Edward's Crown in 1953)[1] with the white word "Nigeria" under it on a red disc. It was adopted by the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria following the amalgamation of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and Northern Nigeria Protectorate.

History

The colonial flag of Nigeria was adopted in 1914 following the amalgamation of Southern Nigeria and Northern Nigeria. It was first suggested by the first Governor-General of Nigeria, Sir Frederick Lugard as a symbol of the unification of Nigeria and because of the Seal of Solomon which was associated with the native Igbo Jews.[2] The Star of David had already been in use in Nigeria during the British rule because of the Igbo Jews and indeed featured on coins of the British West African pound.[3] This was confirmed in the 1917 discovery of a bronze Star of David attributed to the Igbo Jews in Aguleri.[4][5] The crest on the flag was also used on the flag of the Governor-General of Nigeria.[6]

Flag of the Governor-General of Nigeria

The flag was not universally accepted. Some native Nigerians, including Fela Kuti, refused to salute the flag despite it being mandated in schools.[2] In 1956, some Nigerian Muslims burned the Nigerian blue ensign at Mecca, Saudi Arabia, because of the Jewish Star of David on it.[4][6] In 1959, prior to Nigerian Independence a competition to design a new flag was held with Taiwo Akinkunmi designing the new flag of Nigeria which replaced the Nigerian blue ensign in 1960.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Colonial Nigeria (1901–1960)". Crwflags.com. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  2. 1 2 Jaboro, Majemite (2012). The Ikoyi Prison Narratives: The Spiritualism and Political Philosophy of Fela Kuti. Lulu.com. pp. 16–17. ISBN 1105945146.
  3. ↑ Onianwah, Chinazor (2015). It Takes A Village To Name A Child: Celebrating The Bestowment of Ancestry, Faith, Identity and the Legacy of African Roots of Biblical Hebrews. Chinazor Onianwah.
  4. 1 2 Moghalu, Odi (2015). Igbo-Israel: A Comparison of Igbo and Ancient Israel’s Culture. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 1514403439.
  5. ↑ "Archeological". Hebrew Igbo. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  6. 1 2 Akubu, Goodwin (2013). Cow Without Tail. Dorrance Publishing. p. 82. ISBN 1434915395.
  7. ↑ "I remember the day I designed the Nigerian flag". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
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