The Giant of Africa - The Federal Republic of Nigeria

By Bolatito Agbebi

“The world will not respect Africa until Nigeria earns that respect. The black people of the world need Nigeria to be great as a source of pride and confidence” – Nelson Mandela

The Federal Republic of Nigeria often called Naija is a democratic country located in the western part of Africa on the Gulf of Guinea. It was named by a British journalist called Flora Louise Shaw, who later married Lord Frederick Lugard (Governor-general of Northern and Southern protectorates). She invented the name from Niger-Area as river Niger is the longest river in the country; the name means the area near river Niger.

This prodigious country has a unique national flag which is a triband of green, white, green. Designed by a Nigerian civil servant named Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi in 1959. The green represents the country’s natural wealth while the white stands for peace.

Nigeria was colonized by Great Britain which made it a British colony, discovered in 1914 after the amalgamation of the Southern and Northern protectorates, and then gained its independence on the 1st of October 1960 after which it became a republic in 1963.

Also, the country has been recognized as the 7th most populated country in the world with two hundred million, nine hundred and sixty-three thousand, five hundred and ninety-nine (200,963,599) people in 2019 (worldometers website). Even though it has the biggest population in Africa, this has caused a lot of problems for the country like the rapid increase in diseases combined with a high rate of poverty. It is also known for its currency called Naira (NGN).

Due to her large population, Nigeria has 36 states with Abuja as her capital and English language as her official language. The great African giant has over 250 ethnic groups and over 500 native languages (subgroups) but categorized into 3 main languages namely Hausa, Ibo, and Yoruba. 

The famous country is a house to lots of national natural attraction centers among which are:

·        Yankari National Park: wildlife located in Bauchi state.

·        Ikogosi Warm Spring: a place where cold and hot water meets to form a confluence located in Ekiti state.

·        Olumo Rock: a historical mountain used as a shelter during the inter-tribal war located in Ogun state.

·        Zuma rock: has a natural image of a human face with a clear mouth and face.

·        Idanre Hills: has a beautiful landscape with 682 steps from the ground located in Ondo state.

·        Ogbunike caves: a group of caves in a valley with about 317 steps located in Anambra state by tropical rain forest.

Nigeria is known worldwide mostly for its famous entertainment industry called “Nollywood”, owner of the content displayed on popular Africa Magic channel on DSTV; also known for her amazing music industry. The main religions practiced are Christianity and Islam. More so, it is known for the popular Third-Mainland Bridge which is one of the longest bridges in Africa (world atlas website). One of the most interesting and fun parts of Nigeria is the unique butterflies of various colors found in Calabar, Cross river state. 

It is important to note that it is a country full of great men and women who have made great achievements outside her border. In "Official independence poem for Nigeria @57" Yakubu writes, "for when tomorrow comes, history will surely contend with us."

Although the country is home to lots of natural resources like oil, limestone, gold, diamond, bitumen, iron ore and agricultural produce; it still suffers a great epidemic of epileptic electricity supply. No Nigerian child will ever forget the statement "UP NEPA" used whenever there is electricity after a long time. Poverty still dominates several areas within the country, corruption, and crimes on every side, cultism in higher institutions, undergraduates fear of graduating to the school of unemployment, graduates roaming around the streets hunting for jobs, parents working very hard without salaries for months and civil servants laboring for years with nothing to show for it.

In my opinion, the only way to resolve the country's many issues is to give the youths a chance in the government. Young people do not await things to come to them but rather come up with innovative insights that will move the nation forward. They possess vigor and dynamism that will assist the country if given an opportunity. Thousands of Nigerian youths in the diaspora are making great achievements and I believe if given a chance in their own country will do even better.

"In Nigeria, there is energy, whether it is Lagos, which is sheer anarchy, but it is not lethargic. It is strong, even aggressive and if that energy could be directed to work it will produce enormous results." ~ Chinua Achebe

Sources

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/longest-bridges-in-africa.html

https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/population-by-country/

https://www.britannica.com/place/Yankari-National-Park

https://www.worldometers.info