THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA.

Evening Star, Issue 10339, 12 June 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA.

Sir George Goldie, the Governor of the Niger Company, arrived in London in the early part of April from the Niger territories, having travelled via L : sbon and Paris. In. the course of conversation, and in reply to questions, Sir George said :—" The political situation in the regions of the recent operations is thoroughly satisfactory. The new Emir of Bida has stated that his authority is recognised by the native Foulah Princes in Northern Nupe, and that he is thoroughly determined to carry out his engagements with the company. He feels quite capable of holding his Own, and there is no fear that he will try to throw off the yoke of the company. This precludes any possibility of a renewal' of the practices of slave-raiding which principally brought about the recent war. The three miles' trip on the north-east bank of the Niger reserved by the company is now organised under Native rulers, who feel secure of the company's support against any possible invasion from the north. In the region south-west of the Niger n* possibility exists of any further trouble, Ilorin, Lafiaci, and Shonga feeling themselves, isolated from the rest of the Foulah Ebv pire, while South Nupe* is locally administered by the numerous tribes, as in the days, before the Foulah conquest. Autonomous ■ rule is now established, as in all the pagan regions administered by the company during the past ten years. Tie relations with, Sokoto and the Foulah Emirs are excellent,;! and I have no reason to anticipate any trouble in that direction."