Neo Black Movement of Africa

Neo Black Movement of Africa logo

The Neo Black Movement of Africa is a socio-cultural organisation that sincerely seek to revive, retain and modify where necessary those aspects of African culture that would provide vehicles of progress for Africa and her peoples. The Neo Black Movement holds that a people can only progress rapidly by using and modifying where necessary such knowledge and instruments that has since distant past been familiar to them.

The immutable words of Frantz Fanon while postulating the above view said "let us not pay tribute to Europe by creating institutions and societies which derived their inspirations from her. if we turn Africa into a new Europe then let us leave the destiny of our countries to Europeans, they will know how to do it better than the best gifted of us."

Apart from fighting to stop African culture from liquidation, the Neo Black Movement attempts to spread the message of the need for peace, respect and tolerance among various races of the world. For this reason the movement unequivocally condemns in every form racism and apartheid wherever it exists in the world

History

The Neo Black Movement of Africa was formed in the 1976/1977 academic session at the Ekehuan Campus University of Benin, Nigeria. The motivation for its formation is two pronged.

The year 1977 was indeed a historic one for the black race. Globally the major issue confronting black people was the total emancipation of the African continent. Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola were in the final throes of colonial rule and exploitation. The sensitisation of the children in the Diaspora to answer the call of Mother Africa and to look homewards, had reached its highest with the just concluded second festival of Black Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77) in Lagos, Nigeria.

Nigeria as a nation was still undergoing a phase of shock, trying to come to terms with the rude awakening of dashed hopes and another dream destroyed, with the death of General Murtala Mohammed, whose dynamic leadership was halted in an assassination in February 1976.

For the first time in her history, the sleeping, clay footed giant of Africa had woken up to proclaim Africa as the centrepiece of her foreign policy and taken an uncompromising stance against neo-colonialism in all its modern ramifications – Western imperialism and Euro-American exploitation.

Within the university community, student activism and unionism was at its height as the 'Ali must go' demonstrations had shown. It was against this background that during 1976/77 academic session that nine undergraduates at the University of Benin, concerned and aggrieved about the dilemma and plight of members of the black race, came together to form the Neo Black Movement.

Their inspiration came from the lives and works of men such as Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, W.E.B DuBois, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Ben Bella and historic figures like Sundiata Keita, Shaka Zulu and Ewuare the Great. Other influences were the pan-Africanist teachings of musicians like Robert Nesta Marley, Peter Tosh and Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

The above influenced the ideological thought patterns of the Founding Fathers (FF) of the Neo-Black Movement. It was given the name, Neo Black Movement by a prominent professor of history and anthropology at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) who served as the first Patron. The Black Axe was the name of the quarterly News Magazine published by the Movement at the time to articulate its views. Members are known as Axemen each being presented with a symbolic wooden Axe on joining the Movement.

Founding Fathers

Marvel Akpoyibo
Uche Alumona
Tokunbo Brown
Gbolahan Dosunmu
Godwin Ehigiator
Nicholas Idemudia
Bernard Ojisua
Olagunju Ojo
John Okogie

Objectives

The objectives of the Movement as originally articulated by the pioneer members are:

The redirection of all minds towards Black Realism and Determinism and the inculcation of discipline in the individual both in the body and mind.
The prevention of all acts that seek to tarnish the image of Black people.
To seek and conduct research into African traditional religions.
The publication of a regular magazine called the Uhuru, which would serve as the mouthpiece of the movement.
To co-operate and exchange ideas with other organisations whose objectives are similar to ours.

Ideology

The ideology of the movement is Neo-Blackism, which is a complex mix of intellectual radicalism, pan Africanism, negritude and fraternal relations. The Neo Black Movement believes in equality and brotherhood of all races. It does not encourage or seek to propagate any teachings or acts of supremacy or the practice of any forms of inequality in any variation based on race, religion, socio-political affiliations, sex, tribe or tongue. The movement reminds Black people around the World of who they are,where they are from and help them to stay focused,determine to enable us accomplish our vision,dream, goal and prophecy. All Black People have one aim(FREEDOM).It is good to be free! No matter where we are from, we will always be Black and Proud anywhere in the World. The Neo Black Movement of Africa is basically fighting against oppression, in Government,Educational sector and otherwise.Being oppressed reminds Black people of slavery, how Black people where made to believe in white supremecy. We have been made to believe in the Black race no matter the situation, being a victim of circumstances wouldn't change our nature, hypothesis and what we believe in. Great men like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Oba Akenzua 1&2, Kwame Nkrumah, H.O.Aigbehiomwan, Marcus Garvey and others,made us (Africans) to believe in the Black race,there's nothing better than being Black and Proud willy-nilly without shilly-shally to emcapsulate nitty-gritty of what we believe in as Blacks. No dilly-dally in reacting to oppression any where in the world; vigoriously, vigilantly, valiantly, judiciously and legitimately.

Black Axe Confraternity

The Neo Black Movement of Africa does not have any relationship with the organisation called the "Black Axe Confraternity".

The Neo Black Movement as the name implies is a movement and not a confraternity. The Neo Black Movement is not a secret cult. As an organisation we do not partake in any form of rituals or religious rites. The Neo Black Movement does not operate any structures in campuses anywhere in the world and does not have student members

The Black Axe was the name of the first publication of the movement. The name of the publication was changed to Uhuru in 1985 when the activities of the Black Axe confraternity became known.

Mission

The NBM aims to use the resources at its disposal to spread the message of peace, respect and tolerance among diverse shades and creeds. The movement unequivocally condemns all forms of racism, violence, apartheid and oppression all over the world.

Motto

The Motto of NBM is "Equality and social justice."

Colours

The colours of the Neo-Black Movement are black, white and yellow

Black – signifies identification with the black race and the dignity thereof
White – signifies peace and purity of mind and body
Yellow – signifies strength and intellect

Symbol

The Axe is the symbol of the NBM. It demonstrates the readiness to confront the most difficult tasks. The axe is used to break the chain of oppression, social injustice and other ills that have impaired the progress of people of colour worldwide.

Membership

The Neo-Black Movement does not operate a regimental structure. All members are of equal status irrespective of when they joined the movement. All members are identified as Axemen and Aye is the collective term of endearment.

Members are of two cadre, students and graduates. Presently we do not allow student members.

Qualifying criteria

Graduate of a higher institution of learning and of good academic standing
Be of good character and law abiding
Are not and have never been a member of a campus confraternity
Be of sound mind and body
Subscribe to the ideals of the Neo Black Movement of Africa

Membership is not open to students of tertiary institutions.

There is an estimated membership of 5,000.

Organisational Structure

Before the withdrawal from educational institutions, the NBM operated a 3-House structure: The National, Zonal and Temple. In the new dispensation, a 4-house structure now operates namely National, Regional, Zonal and Forum. The Zone is however, the lowest common multiple as all members are attached to a Zone.

For administrative purposes, NBM operates a system of checks and balances. The Executive Council carries out the running of the different bodies of the NBM. The Council of Elders acts as a check to the executive council, an advisory body and as an appellate council.

The Executive Council

The executive is replicated at both the National and Zonal levels, and a variation is operated for the Regions and Forums. They are elected to serve a tenure of 2 years.

The Exco comprises:

Head - Chief Executive Officer
Assistant to the Head and the custodian of NBM cultures and traditions
Treasurer and financial officer
Secretary
Information officer
Provost
Legal Adviser

The Council of Elders

Works in conjunction with the executive council. It comprises members who are recognised by the length of membership and devotion to the NBM cause. They are elected to serve a tenure of 2 years and runs concurrently the Exco

The Council of Elders comprises:

Chairman: Presides over the COE
Elders: Usually seven but can be more. Must include the present Head

Other consultative bodies exist in NBM. These include:

Board of Trustees
NBM Partnership Forums
Council of Heads

Activities In NBM

National Convention - This is the equivalent of an Annual General Meeting. It is usually held around the anniversary of the Sharpeville Day in March.

Jollification – This is traditional NBM merriment. Here the major entertainment is Egede music with the use of drums and traditional African dance steps

Black Night - This is the name for parties where non members of both sexes can attend. This is usually at the end of the year.

Charity - NBM members also participate in charitable causes and Zones are required to have one charity event a year. This would usually be around theSoweto day

Important dates on NBM calendar

January 15 - Martin Luther king Day
March 21 - Sharpeville Massacre Day
June 16 - Soweto Day
September 12 - Steve Biko Day
November 10 - Ken Saro Wiwa Day

NBM in Nigeria

The National headquarters of NBM is in Benin City, Nigeria. The regional HQ’s are Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Zones and Forums can be found in all states of the country

Branches of NBM outside Nigeria

Regional Headquarters

Europe & Middle East - United Kingdom
Americas and Asia Pacific – Canada
Africa (except Nigeria) – South Africa

Zones and Forum

External links