Northern Nigeria

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 863607721

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-45464

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Lugard, Frederick John Dealtry http://d-nb.info/gnd/117667412

Title:: Northern Nigeria

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: His Maj. Stat. Off.

Year of publication:: 1907

Scope:: 1 Online-Ressource (65 Seiten)

Collection:: Economics Books

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46 COLONIAL REPORTS—MISCELLANEOUS. ILLORIN. Native Rulers and Communities. The only Principal Chief is the Emir of Illorin. Other inde pendent units are the Kings of Pateji, Lafiagi, and Shonga, who, however, only rank as district headmen. There are no unsettled districts in this province. Administrative Organization. There is no information regarding administrative divisions, but I believe there are three :—Illorin proper, Oifa, and Pateji. The Resident reports great difficulty in creating districts under headmen in Illorin proper, and the idea is resented. This province is largely Yoruba, and the Yoruba organization of Balaguns and Bales is only slightly modified by the Eulani system. I hope the system common to the whole Protectorate may be gradually introduced, for the old régime lends itself to extortion, and it is almost impossible to prevent this by British supervision since there are no responsible chiefs of districts. The Balaguns reside in the capital, and do no execu tive work, and the Bales become their instruments for extortion. The Resident reports that he is making some progress, but it would seem that in this province alone the chiefs who claim to “ own ” districts have been allowed to remain idle at the capital, and to receive a large portion of the tax which they do not help to collect. The Oifa and Pateji divisions have been grouped into districts, each of which has its own headman, and is self-contained. Shari and Shonga are in course of comple tion, as are Lafiagi and Egbe. Oifa comprises 15 districts. It is considered inadvisable in this province to assign any share to village heads. Six hundred and eight towns have been assessed. Consolidation of Districts. As above. Nothing done in Illorin proper, but Pateji, Oifa, Lafiagi, Shari, and Shonga will all shortly be divided into self- contained districts. Office Holders. Throughout the Illorin Emirate (which comprises nearly all the province), 12£ per cent., viz., one-eighth of the whole taxes collected, is assigned to the "office-holders." These are apparently former fief-holders, who decline to become district headmen or to leave the capital. Five are named in Illorin proper, and the same five with three others in the Oifa district. District headmen properly so-called have not yet been appointed, but another 12£ per cent, is assigned to them, and is, I presume, paid to the “ Bales," who are rather emissaries of the Emir than

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