Garo Derounian of East Beirut is a uniquely gifted master silversmith. Catholicos Aram I, princes of Saudi Arabia, commission him to create exquisite works of arts in silver. He also is an avid collector of Armenian books and regularly posts on his Face book page the covers of the new books he has acquired for his ever-expanding library. Lately he posted the cover of a book that aroused the interest of many, including mine. To satisfy our curiosity Garo posted the pdf version of the book titled in Armenian - “Նիկերեայ եւ Նիկահահայ Գաղութը», and in English - “Nigeria and the Nigerian Armenian Colony”.
The cover also claims that the book picturesque (Պատկերազարդ). It is authored by S. (Souren) A. Dadrian. The full name of the author is noted on the cover in Armenian, Սուրէն Ա- Տատրեան. The book is approximately 125 pages long. The first 117 pages are innumerate. After which the author listed a table that is spread over the next few pages, but these pages are not innumerate. The table is followed by an “Attention” headlined note where the author apologized for any errors that might have occurred. The apology is followed by a list of errors, mostly spelling, that have been noted after printing. On the following pages the author noted that the book would be mailed to institutions free of charge. He listed his address in Nicosia, Cyprus. Lastly, the author noted that he has finalized the manuscript of a book titled “Կիկիոյի Արկածները”, “The Adventures of Gego”. The author claimed that the book is based on the life on Nigerians, presumably native.
The main text of the book is preceded by a preface by Dr. R. Takvorian, from Cyprus as well, headlined with the customary wording for preface found in many Armenian books-Երկու Խօսք (Two Words). He noted that the author did not claim to have done an exhaustive work on Nigeria, which at that time was the British Empire’s largest colony. He also commended the author for devoting time, under the scorching sun of Africa, to write about the presence of Armenians in Nigeria.
The book does not have an introduction. It starts by a chapter titled “Ardashes Odabashian”. The author claimed that the presence of Armenians is Nigeria is outcome of Ardashes Odabashian’s vision to start trading posts in Nigeria and in Gold Coast (The Gold Coast was a British colony on the Gulf of Guinea in west Africa from 1867 to its independence as the nation of Ghana in 1957. Wikipedia). In a short time, the author claimed, the handful Armenians who constituted the community prospered financially. Among them he listed the following names Melikian Brothers, Nazareth Arejian, Aram Medzmmoroukian, Onnig Khoubeselian and others. This introduction of sort is signed by the author and is dated May 20, 1955, Nigeria.
The book consists of two parts. The first part, Part A, is completely devoted to Nigeria and consists of six chapters. Chapter A is about its geography. Chapter two is about its history. Chapter three is about its politics. Chapter four is about its press. Chapter five is about vital statistics, and the last chapter of Part A is headlined ‘miscellaneous” where a variety of figures about Nigeria is listed. As noted on the cover there are many black and white pictures posted in the book many about seminude native Nigerians in their ethnic dresses and also pictures of Armenians presumably in Nigeria. But their pictures have no relevance to the text. The pictures of the members of the Armenian community are thus presented in the book. The only thing of interest in this section is the list of the businesses owned by Armenians. The author listed the following Armenian owned businesses in Nigeria at that time.
1. Armel’s Transport Ltd.
2. Armel’s Transport (Eastern) Ltd.
3. Aredjian and Melikian (Real Estate) Co.
4. Ardeno Ltd.
5. Odaco Ltd.
6. Onnig
7. Bristol Hotel
8. Palm Tree Hotel
9. Royal Hotel.
The second part of the book, Part B, consists of two chapters. The first chapter is titled “The Armenian Community of Nigeria”, and the second chapter is titled, “Biographical Notes” but in the actual narration about the community there is no distinct header for chapter two. Part B is about the Armenian community of Nigeria and its handful members. It is interesting to note that the author alludes to Armenian colony of Nigeria. For all I know, the members of a colony did not adhere to the local laws. Most likely all members the Armenian community were subjects of the British Commonwealth.
At the time of his writing, in 1955, the author claimed that the small Armenian community of Nigeria was hardly 31 years old. They had had no school, no church, no community center and no cemetery. The author once asked Mr. Hrand Melikian, how come the community does not have a cemetery? Hrand’s answered it succinctly, saying that because they do not intend to die there.
The community members attended local churches, their children attended local schools, but the members often socialized and had harmonious community relations and generously supported the needs of other Armenian communities.
All the sixteen individuals listed on the table are noted to have left Nigeria at the time of his writing. There is only one individual who died there and was buried in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city.
There may still be Armenians in Nigeria but not likely the way they were at one time.
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