(a) Outline four reasons for the adoption of the Indirect Rule System.
(b) Enumerate two achievements of the Indirect Rule System.
(a) Reasons for the adoption of the indirect rule system are:
(i) Shortage of British personnel that could manage a direct system of administration.
(ii) Inadequate fund to cater for a large number of staff for direct administration.
(iii) The success that the Indirect Rule system had recorded in other countries where it was operated e.g. India, East Africa.
(iv) The British unwillingness to spend on the administration of the colonies.
(v) The cheapness of the Indirect Rule called for its adoption.
(vi) Favourable local condition also aided its adoption e.g. Emirate System in Northern Nigeria.
(vii) Language barrier posed limitation to direct administration.
(viii) Vastness of the area involved e.g. North-ern protectorate of Nigeria.
(ix) Poor transport and communication system.
(x) Lack of geographical and cultural knowledge of the areas involved.
(b) Advantages of indirect rule systems are:
(i) System of Indirect Rule recognized and preserved the existing traditions and cultures of the people in some areas.
(ii) It brought colonial rule closer to the subjects through their traditional rulers.
(iii) It contributed in training traditional rulers in the art of modern local government administration.
(iv) The system recognized and modernized local institutions like traditional Courts, law and Customs.
(v) It stimulated the spirit of nationalism in the British Colonies.
(vi) Indirect rules system led to the political awareness of the people.
(vii) It introduced/improved tax collection for the running of government.
(viii) It ensured the maintenance of law and order.
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