Nigeria is officially called “The Federal Republic of Nigeria“. It is a federal constitutional republic comprising of 36 states and it’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
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Nigeria is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. It’s coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean.
Niger has over five hundred (500) ethnic groups, off which the three largest are Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
The Name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. and was coined by Flora Shaw, who later married Baron Lugard, a British colonial administrator in the late 19th century.
“Arise O Compatriots” was the old national anthem of Nigeria adopted in 1978, it was changed back to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” in 2024.
THE NATIONAL FLAG
The Nigeria national flag was designed by Micheal Taiwo Akinkunmi and it was adopted on the 1st of October 1960. The flag is divided vertically into three equal parts. The central part, which is white symbolises peace and unity, and the two outer parts which are green symbolises the nations vast agricultural wealth.
THE NIGERIAN COAT OF ARMS
The coat of arms of Nigeria has a black shield with two white stripes that come together like the letter Y, these represents the two main rivers flowing through Nigeria; the Benue River and the Niger River.
The black shield represents Nigeria’s good earth, while the two horses on each side represents dignity. The eagle represents strength, while the green and white bands on the top of the shield represents the rich agricultural land of the inspiring country. The yellow flowers at the base are Costus Spectabilis, it stands for the beauty of Nigeria.
The slogan, Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress written at the the base of the Coat of Arm is the Nigeria’s motto. The Coat of Arms depicts authority and power.
NIGERIA’S COLONIAL GOVERNOR GENERALS BEFORE INDEPENDENCE
- Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard 1912-1919
- Sir Hurge Clifford 1919-1925
- Sir Creamer Thompson 1925-1931
- Sir Donald Cameroon 1931-1935
- Sir Bernard Boundillion 1935-1943
- Sir Anthony Richard 1943-1948
- Sir John Macphaerson 1946-1958
- Sir James Robertson 1958-1960
Nation Anthem
Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood, we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour’d,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
All over the world Nigerians are setting the pace and becoming the standard by which others measure themselves.
In the US, Nigerians are the most educated immigrant community. Type it into Google and you’ll see it. Not one of the most educated, the most educated.
60% of Nigerians in the US have college degrees. This is far above the American national average of 30%.
Nigerians in US are one of the highest earners, typically earning 25% more than the median US income of $53k.
In Ivy League schools in Europe and America, Nigerians routinely outperform their peers from other nations.
A Nigerian family, The Imafidon family, have officially been named the smartest family in the UK.
The designer of the famous car, Chevrolet Volt, Jelani Aliyu, is a super talented Nigerian from Sokoto State.
The wealthiest Black man and woman on earth are Nigerians, Aliko Dangote and Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija
South Africa couldn’t have ended apartheid & achieved Black rule if not for the leadership role Nigeria played.
Of the 3 Presidents who ruled South Africa after apartheid, two of them once lived in Nigeria under asylum.
Both Nelson Mandela (60s) and Thabo Mbeki (70s) lived in Nigeria before becoming President of South Africa. We gave financial support, human support, boycotted an Olympics and our politicians, musicians and activists campaigned relentlessly.
Nigeria spent over $3 Billion and lost hundreds of soldiers to end the wars in both Liberia and Sierra Leone that the world ignored because they have no oil.
When there was a coup in São Tomé and Príncipe in 2003, Nigeria restored the elected President back to power.
Before there were street lights in European cities, ancient Benin kingdom had street lights fueled by palm oil.
500 years ago, Benin casted metal alloys to create magnificent art including the world famous Queen Ida Mask.
Amina was a warrior queen who ruled Zaria Emirate in Kaduna state, Northwestern Nigeria 400 years ago in 1610.
Nigeria gave monetary gifts to Ireland during their oil boom and built a statue for France free of charge.
The first television station in Africa was NTA Ibadan (1960) long before Ireland has their RTE station.
Wherever you look in this great country, Nigeria, heroes abound both now and in their recent and ancient past.
NIGERIA is not a nation of scammers, drugs & corruption as speculated by the International communities, but a people with a verifiable track record of greatness.
Nigerians are trail Blazers; on 7th May, 2016 at Howard University in Washington D.C history was made. Out of 96 graduating Doctor of Pharmacy candidates, 43 of them were Nigerians and out of 27 awards given, 16 went to Nigerians.
NIGERIA, GREAT NATION GOOD PEOPLE!!!
