Twilight in Nigeria

Press, 15 February 1986, Page 20

Twilight in Nigeria

There is Only One Nigeria. By Peggy Watt. Arthur H. Stockwell, 1985. 203 pp. $24. (Reviewed by Joan Curry)

In the last days of colonial rule in Africa Peggy Watt met and married a young district officer working in the Northern Region of Nigeria. This is the account of their life together in small outposts of colonial authority until Nigeria became self-governing in 1959, On retirement, Peggy Watt and

her New Zealand husband returned to make a new and very different life in New Zealand. They are members of a dying breed, of course, Most; of those who were part ,of that sturdy army of men and women who travelled to all the bits of the globe painted British red, and administered their districts according to unwavering British standards, have retired with their memories. “Colonialism” is now a dirty word, but once upon a time it was right and proper to spread the word, not of religion, but of the British way of life.

No-one would have undertaken a tour of duty in Nigeria in the fifties

for the money, or for the good life, or even for power. There was no electricity, or running water, the roads were primitive, the heat oppressive, vehicles unreliable. The houses were

subject to successive plagues of bats, earwigs, stinkbugs, mosquitoes and other intrusive visitors. The rains laid the dust and made the crops grow, but caused the rivers to flood. Livestock succumbed to snakes,scorpions, hawks and civet cats, as well as to the heat and humidity. *

For all the trials, however, Peggy Watt remembers Nigeria with affection. She remembers many, many trips throughout the country “going to bush,” that is, visiting the outposts of their region. She remembers the parties, the visits from dignitaries and tourists, the social activities at the club, the loyalty and good nature of her house “boys.” ?■ She describes her efforts to keep 14 English Light Sussex chickens alive and well and breeding in the unaccustomed heat of West Africa. She acknowledges the changes that have occurred, and must still occur, in

the Africa she describes with warmth and understanding.