Question 7
- List three institutions in Igbo pre-colonial administration in Nigeria.
- Outline four functions of the Council of Elders in the Igbo pre-colonial administration in Nigeria.
Observation
This question was unpopular and was avoided by some of the candidates. The few ones who attempted it did not perform well; they failed to provide correct answers to the questions especially in part (b). The candidates were expected to provide the following answers in order to score good marks.
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- Village Assembly
- The Council of Elders
- The Age-grade Societies
- The Ozo title holders
- The Diviner (oracle)
- Ofo title holders
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- The Council discussed and took decisions on issues that related to the general administration and welfare of the community.
- It performed judicial functions and sometimes acted as a final court of appeal.
- Members performed religious and traditional rituals on behalf of their wards in the whole community.
- It elected the new traditional ruler and crowned him according to the customs and tradition of the community.
- It also acted as an advisory body to the traditional ruler and the community.
- It made laws for the peaceful co-existence of the community.
- It was empowered to declare wars when the communities were threatened.
- It assigned responsibilities to the age grade societies.
- Its members settled minor disputes in their families.
- The Council acted as adviser to the paramount chief.
- The Council acted as the law making body.
- It maintained law and order in the community.
- It settled land disputes among the people.