Nigeria

Introduction

Giant of Africa,
Nigeria's motto is
"Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress".1

The Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is located on Africa's west coast, was named after the Niger River.2 The present capital, located in the middle of the country, is Abuja, which is approximately 480 km from the former capital of Lagor. Abuja, replace Lagor in 1991, was laid out by the Department of Architecture of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and constructed on the Chukuku Hills.3

Nine Interesting Facts about Nigeria4

The map of Nigeria
reveals a nation with an ocean view
that looks out on the Gulf of Guinea.

1. Gained independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.
2. The country's most recent Constitution was adopted on May 5, 1999 and became effective on May 29 of that year.
3. Citizenship is by descent, and, at least, one parent had to be a citizen of this nation.
4. A person must be at least 18 years old to vote in an election.
5. The national colors are green and white, and the country's symbol is the eagle.
6. The colors white in the flag symbolizes unity and peace, while the green represents the abundant natural resources.
7. The national anthem is "Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria's Call Obey".
8. Nigeria is named after the Niger River, and name of the revier means River Gir.
9. Nigeria's economy is based on oi.

History5

The early history of Nigeria covered the years from 500 B.C. to 1500. During this time the Nok civilization, in northern Nigeria, produced beautiful works of art. In the tenth century, the Igbo people established the Kingdom of Nri. Sometime in the twelfth century, in southwest Nigeria, the Ife and Oyo people established the Yoruba kingdoms. All these peoples and kingdoms contributed to the art and mythology of Nigeria.

The middle age history of Nigeria covered the years from 1500 to 1800. In these years the Oyo civilization reached its high point. The Benin empire, in the southwest part of the country, flourished between the twelfth and the nineteenth centuries. In this time period, the Portuguese explored and set up trade from the port cities of Lagos and Calabar. This is also when slaves were exported from Africa to the rest of the world.

Nigeria was known as British Nigeria from 1800 to 1960. From 1960 to 1966, now free from British rule, had a coalition government. The Nigerian civil was lasted from 1966 to 1970, when several military juntas came into power. These juntas governed Nigeria from 1970 to 1999. In 1999 Nigeria again became a democracy.

Economy6

World wide Nigeria is classified as an emerging market with a mixed economy. It is number twelve on the list of oil producing countries, with some of its exports being in this industry. Approximately thirty percent of the jobs is in the agriculture industry, with some of the crops being cocoa, cashew nuts, and soybeans. The agriculture industry is the largest, none oil based industry, export. Rubber is follows agriculture as an export product.

Conclusion

Nigeria is a beautiful country, with beautiful and industrious people. It has had some difficulties in the past, and, even today, is confronted with many of the problems that the rest of the world has to face. One of these problems is terrorism, which has caused difficulties to the country in the past several years. These problems, with the assistance of the rest of the world, are solvable.

One of the most inspiring things I discovered about Nigeria, was its Baha'i community. The Baha'i Faith first came to Nigeria in 1940. Since that time, it has spread across this beautiful African country and claims adherents from every strata if its society. In 1970, the Baha'is of Nigeria elected the country's first National Spiritual Assembly. The Baha'is work together with other people, no matter what their religion, to assist in educational projects.7

WC: 652

Footnotes
1  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria
2  https://www.britannica.com/place/Nigeria
3  https://www.britannica.com/place/Abuja-national-capital-Nigeria
4  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html
5  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria#History
6  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria#Economy
7  http://www.bahai.org/national-communities/nigeria