British was the colonial masters of Nigeria and In the 1800 the British started residing in some of the empires and kingdom, then in 1914 ,Nigeria was formed by combining the northern and southern Protectorates and the Colony of Lagos and was given the name "Nigeria" by the wife of then governor general Sir lord luggard who preside over Nigeria between 1914 to 1951. On October 1, 1960, Nigeria obtained its independence and also on October 7, 1960, Nigeria was admitted to the United Nations as the 99th member. In 1963,Nigeria became a republic and By 1964, the Nigerian army units had formed the backbone of the UN force.
In January of 1966, a group of army officers, consisting mostly of the Ibo peoples, overthrew power the regional and central government by killing prime minister. In 1967 Nigeria was split from its 4 regions of Nigeria into 12 states. however the eastern region region refused to accept the division and declared the eastern region an independent republic called the "biafra" and this led to a civil war between the biafra and the remainder of Nigeria.The war started in June 1967, and continued until Biafra surrendered on January 15, 1970 after over 1 million people had died.
In 1971, Nigeria joined the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) due the oil boom in the early 1970s brought a lot of revenue to Nigeria, this seemed to stay mostly in government. In 1976, Nigeria was further broken down into 19 states, In 1987, 2 more states were created. In 1991, 9 more states were created, leading to 30 states at the time. recently 6 more states has been created leading to now a total of 36 states.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
brief history on Nigeria.
Before the 1914 there was never a country called Nigeria, the people of what is known as "Nigeria" consist of 4 different empires which was the northern empire,Benin empire, the Calabar kingdom and the Oduduwa empire. The Northern empire was composed of the borno empire, some hausa states (Zazzau, Gobir, Kano, Katsina, Birori, Daura) and some other groups (Gwari, Kebbi, Nupe, Yelwa...) in the northern part of the region then remarkably some of this states still exist to the present day. Then the Calabar kingdom which is known to be the oldest kingdom and had the oldest contact with the Europeans, it is believed to be founded around 1000 AD and has the oldest church built in Nigeria dating back to 1850. the belief of this kingdom is that the kingdom was founded by twins, and today part of this kingdom is stretched in current day Cameroon. The Oduduwa empire consist of 2 main groups, one of them was the original people which religions and culture was centered from the land of Ile-Ife; a historical and important land in the myth of the Yoruba people in current day Nigeria and the other group were the Berbels, who eventually formed the Hausa states and the Borno states. the oduduwa empire has a lot of interesting stories and legends attached to it, for instead the Oduduwa is considered the creator of the earth, and the ancestor of the Yoruba kings. According to myth, Oduduwa founded the city of Ife and dispatched his sons to establish other cities, where they reigned as priest-kings and presided over cult rituals.) lastly the Benin empire , the most powerful in the entire empires and It was very well known for it's African sculpturing.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Education in Nigeria
English is the official language , and that is what school in. In Nigeria, the school year currently runs from January to December, consists of about 3 quarters with a month between quarters, this is usually in the primary and secondary education but its different for the tertiary institutions or universities which also runs from January to December but this time consist of 2 half with 3 to 4 months between.
Some Nigerians go to nursery school in their early years. What is basically done there is teaching kids the basics like the alphabet, etc.
The first level of schooling that is attended is Primary School (Primary 1 through 6) equivalent to what is called 'elementary school' in some other countries. This runs for 6 years, and after that, students take the Common Entrance Examination to be admitted into Secondary School, which is the equivalent of 'high school' in some other countries and at the end, you had to take the WAEC (West African Examination Council) exam to graduate from secondary school, and the JAMB (Joint Admissions Matriculation Board) exam to be admitted into colleges.
There is Junior Secondary School (JSS), which lasts 3 years, and then students have to take the JuniorWAEC or the JSSE (Junior Secondary School Exam) to move up to Senior Secondary School (SSS), which also lasts 3 years, after which you take the exams to leave and go to college. After Secondary School, students can enter Universities, Polytechnics, Teacher Colleges, Trade Schools ,etc.
So Nigeria educational system is referred to the 6-3-3-4 System. So after School before a person can start working in Nigeria, you need to have one year of National Youth Service Corp. (NYSC), and most Nigerians go through this right after school that's provided you schooled and graduated from college in Nigeria.
Some Nigerians go to nursery school in their early years. What is basically done there is teaching kids the basics like the alphabet, etc.
The first level of schooling that is attended is Primary School (Primary 1 through 6) equivalent to what is called 'elementary school' in some other countries. This runs for 6 years, and after that, students take the Common Entrance Examination to be admitted into Secondary School, which is the equivalent of 'high school' in some other countries and at the end, you had to take the WAEC (West African Examination Council) exam to graduate from secondary school, and the JAMB (Joint Admissions Matriculation Board) exam to be admitted into colleges.
There is Junior Secondary School (JSS), which lasts 3 years, and then students have to take the JuniorWAEC or the JSSE (Junior Secondary School Exam) to move up to Senior Secondary School (SSS), which also lasts 3 years, after which you take the exams to leave and go to college. After Secondary School, students can enter Universities, Polytechnics, Teacher Colleges, Trade Schools ,etc.
So Nigeria educational system is referred to the 6-3-3-4 System. So after School before a person can start working in Nigeria, you need to have one year of National Youth Service Corp. (NYSC), and most Nigerians go through this right after school that's provided you schooled and graduated from college in Nigeria.
Healthcare in Nigeria.
In Nigeria health care is very expensive, So most people rely on traditional health care. Traditionally health is taken care of by a "medicine man"These medicine-men were trained to know the different herbs and roots, how to prepare them, which ailments they cured, how to administer them, etc. With the incoming of modern medicine, Nigeria have modern hospitals and clinics, so people do rely on nurses and doctors to cure and prevent them from ailments and diseases rather than the medicine men.
However in Nigeria and some other part of the world, people now realizes that hat sometimes herbal remedies can be just as effective as modern medicine, and they don't usually have the long-term side effects that other medications can have. And they have been proven to work in certain situations.
So in Nigeria, sometimes a combination of herbal and modern medicine is what is needed, and both have been evaluated for the treatment of ailments.
However in Nigeria and some other part of the world, people now realizes that hat sometimes herbal remedies can be just as effective as modern medicine, and they don't usually have the long-term side effects that other medications can have. And they have been proven to work in certain situations.
So in Nigeria, sometimes a combination of herbal and modern medicine is what is needed, and both have been evaluated for the treatment of ailments.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
marriage and family in nigeria
cont....
the second stage is the
ENGAGEMENT
Sometimes the engagement takes place right after the introduction. In Nigeria after the engagement the couple are seen as married but at times might have to register themselves legally. The engagement ceremony also takes place at the bride's house, and her family is once again responsible for that. the couple dresses in traditionally attire and this differs depending on the tribe because every tribe in Nigeria has a specific attire they are known for. The couple usually gives each other a Bible or Quran, give each other rings, and they may say some words to each other.
The bride usually has her face covered during the ceremony. When the ceremony is over, and everyone goes 'outside' to eat, she waits indoors until she is called out . Then she comes out usually with a friend, still with her face covered, and kneels before her parents so that they may pray for her she then kneels before the groom's parents so that they may pray for her Then she sits by the groom, and this is when she is unveiled, as she sits to eat with everybody.
After the couple is married, they go to the groom's house,The custom is that the bride should arrive at his home before he does, and that she must wash her legs before entering, and be there to meet him when he arrives and this is usually when she changes her last name to that of her husband's.
Some other customs that takes places in some other cultures in Nigeria.
The bride-to-be will kept in a 'fattening room' for a period of time, where she was well fed, and taught how to be a good wife. She would usually come out of the room fatter than before during this process she would 'cleansed' by taking a special bath before going to her husband.
In some cases rather than bringing out the real bride at the engagement party, another woman may come out disguised as the bride to see if the groom is able to tell the difference.
the second stage is the
ENGAGEMENT
Sometimes the engagement takes place right after the introduction. In Nigeria after the engagement the couple are seen as married but at times might have to register themselves legally. The engagement ceremony also takes place at the bride's house, and her family is once again responsible for that. the couple dresses in traditionally attire and this differs depending on the tribe because every tribe in Nigeria has a specific attire they are known for. The couple usually gives each other a Bible or Quran, give each other rings, and they may say some words to each other.
The bride usually has her face covered during the ceremony. When the ceremony is over, and everyone goes 'outside' to eat, she waits indoors until she is called out . Then she comes out usually with a friend, still with her face covered, and kneels before her parents so that they may pray for her she then kneels before the groom's parents so that they may pray for her Then she sits by the groom, and this is when she is unveiled, as she sits to eat with everybody.
After the couple is married, they go to the groom's house,The custom is that the bride should arrive at his home before he does, and that she must wash her legs before entering, and be there to meet him when he arrives and this is usually when she changes her last name to that of her husband's.
Some other customs that takes places in some other cultures in Nigeria.
The bride-to-be will kept in a 'fattening room' for a period of time, where she was well fed, and taught how to be a good wife. She would usually come out of the room fatter than before during this process she would 'cleansed' by taking a special bath before going to her husband.
In some cases rather than bringing out the real bride at the engagement party, another woman may come out disguised as the bride to see if the groom is able to tell the difference.
marriage and family in Nigeria.
Marriages in Nigeria usually has 3 stages, the Introduction, engagement and the actual wedding which could be in the church, mosque or court .Nigeria has 3 main tribes the the Yoruba , Igbo and the Hausa and marriages in this tribes are almost the same but have some slight differences but all go through the same 3 stages for couple to be married.
INTRODUCTION
this is the part where the groom's and bride's families introduces themselves to one another and asking the bride's family for their daughter's hand in marriage to their son. the participants of the are the groom and his family, the Olopa Iduro (this translates to 'standing policeman') an appointed speaker by the groom's family, the name differs in the different tribes but this speaker speaks on behalf of the grooms family and it is manditory, then bride and her family , the Olopa Ijoko (this translates to 'sitting policeman'): an appointed speaker by the bride's family;the name also differs in differrent tribe and who also speaks for the bride's family and manditory as well, other families and friends.
The introduction takes place in the bride's house and her family is responsible for the preparations and cost of everything including refreshment, but the groom's family could volunteer to help with some of the cost if they can. Both parties wear traditional attires. So when the groom and his family arrive the are expected to kneels or prostrate for the bride's parents and family.
The groom's family and the bride's family sit on opposite sides of the room, with the bride and groom sitting closer to the center, and the olopa iduro and olopa ijoko sitting in the very middle. the olopa iduro introduces the groom and his family to the bride and her family.
He then brings a proposal letter from the groom's family, usually tied with a pink ribbon, and gives it to the groom's family, through the olopa ijoko.
The letter is read out, and responded to verbally on the spot. Since this is mostly a formality, and it is already known that the couple will marry, there usually is not much rejection at this point.
Then the groom and his family pays a drowry to the bride as a compensation for some of the cost to the bride's parents for raising her. this dowry or money is usually a very little amount, its show a sign of apprecaition for raising a wife for their son, the dowry is very important but the amount doesnt matter.
then i prayers and said for the couple by the bride's parents tot he couples and the groom's parents do the same the refreshment follows.
INTRODUCTION
this is the part where the groom's and bride's families introduces themselves to one another and asking the bride's family for their daughter's hand in marriage to their son. the participants of the are the groom and his family, the Olopa Iduro (this translates to 'standing policeman') an appointed speaker by the groom's family, the name differs in the different tribes but this speaker speaks on behalf of the grooms family and it is manditory, then bride and her family , the Olopa Ijoko (this translates to 'sitting policeman'): an appointed speaker by the bride's family;the name also differs in differrent tribe and who also speaks for the bride's family and manditory as well, other families and friends.
The introduction takes place in the bride's house and her family is responsible for the preparations and cost of everything including refreshment, but the groom's family could volunteer to help with some of the cost if they can. Both parties wear traditional attires. So when the groom and his family arrive the are expected to kneels or prostrate for the bride's parents and family.
The groom's family and the bride's family sit on opposite sides of the room, with the bride and groom sitting closer to the center, and the olopa iduro and olopa ijoko sitting in the very middle. the olopa iduro introduces the groom and his family to the bride and her family.
He then brings a proposal letter from the groom's family, usually tied with a pink ribbon, and gives it to the groom's family, through the olopa ijoko.
The letter is read out, and responded to verbally on the spot. Since this is mostly a formality, and it is already known that the couple will marry, there usually is not much rejection at this point.
Then the groom and his family pays a drowry to the bride as a compensation for some of the cost to the bride's parents for raising her. this dowry or money is usually a very little amount, its show a sign of apprecaition for raising a wife for their son, the dowry is very important but the amount doesnt matter.
then i prayers and said for the couple by the bride's parents tot he couples and the groom's parents do the same the refreshment follows.
Nigeria religions
To most Nigerians religion and faith are important aspects of everyday life. It controls the laws , how you think and act, what you belief and value. there are 3 main Religions in Nigeria, the Christians, Muslims and Traditional idol worshiper or could be referred to as pagans. Nigeria is roughly 45% Christians, 45% Muslims and 10% traditional religions and beliefs. thought the government supports the different religions but the past past leaders have usually been Muslims. Christianity and Islamic religion is well known through out the world but the most interesting religion about Nigeria is its traditional religions and beliefs. There are a number of different traditional religions and they usually are specific to the different ethnic groups, the deities are usually the gods and goddesses that the ethnic group believes in, and each ethnic group had a shrine dedicated to the deities that it believed in. these deities they believe do all sort of things and have some unbelievable names like gods of the earth , god of war, god of thunder, god of the sun, god of the rain or weather etc. Each of these gods has there worshipers although they do not have any written documentation to their practices and beliefs, they did rely on a priest to teach them and intervene on there behalf, the priest are usually very trained for these, at times as soon as they are born they are raised to do this task. the priest are respected so much in this ethnic groups because they are seen as the eyes and ears of their god. Some of these deities are represented by objects such as axe, thunderbolts, Iron objects, some has shrines on land and water which represents there dwelling places on earth.
Friday, October 9, 2009
"Nigeria as a Nation"
Nigeria is in west Africa, In geographic coordinates, 10 00 north, 8 00 east. Nigeria's borders with the Niger republic on the north, Cameroon on the east, Benin republic on the west and the Atlantic ocean on the south.
It has a population of over 150 million people ( National census 2007) the population figure has never been reliable but usually estimated.
It has a total area of 923,770 sq. km. / 356,700 sq. miles, total land area of 910,770 sq. km. / 351650 sq. miles (the rest is water, total land boundaries of 4047 km. / 2514 mile, coastline of 853 km. / 530 miles.
Nigeria climate is very hot because its between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer, specifically there are 2 main temperature region, the tropical region in the south which usually has a temperature around 90 degree Fahrenheit and the subtropical region in the north which usually has a temperature between 60 and 100 degree Fahrenheit. there are also 2 main season, the rainy season which implies to the name meaning a lot of rain usually last from about May till September in the North and March till November in the South. the other one is the dry season which the name also implies because we do not get as much rain and this last the remainder of the year.In the South, there is also a period around December till January called the Harmattan season, during which it gets cold and very dry.
Nigeria now consist of 36 states, the capital of Nigeria use to be Lagos states until 1991 when it was shifted to Abuja which is also referred to as FCT( Federal Capital Territory) which is not really a state but has its own budget just like every other state, it is centrally located of the nation.
It has a population of over 150 million people ( National census 2007) the population figure has never been reliable but usually estimated.
It has a total area of 923,770 sq. km. / 356,700 sq. miles, total land area of 910,770 sq. km. / 351650 sq. miles (the rest is water, total land boundaries of 4047 km. / 2514 mile, coastline of 853 km. / 530 miles.
Nigeria climate is very hot because its between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer, specifically there are 2 main temperature region, the tropical region in the south which usually has a temperature around 90 degree Fahrenheit and the subtropical region in the north which usually has a temperature between 60 and 100 degree Fahrenheit. there are also 2 main season, the rainy season which implies to the name meaning a lot of rain usually last from about May till September in the North and March till November in the South. the other one is the dry season which the name also implies because we do not get as much rain and this last the remainder of the year.In the South, there is also a period around December till January called the Harmattan season, during which it gets cold and very dry.
Nigeria now consist of 36 states, the capital of Nigeria use to be Lagos states until 1991 when it was shifted to Abuja which is also referred to as FCT( Federal Capital Territory) which is not really a state but has its own budget just like every other state, it is centrally located of the nation.
nigeria national anthem and pledge
Arise, O compatriot, Nigeria's call obey, To serve our father land with love, strength, and faith. The labor of our heroes past shall never be in vain, To serve with heart and might, One nation bound with freedom,peace and unity.
Oh God creation, direct our noble cause, Guild our leaders right, help our youth the truth to know,In love and honesty to grow, And living just and true, Great lofty height attain, to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.
PLEDGE.
I pledge to Nigeria my country , To be faithful, loyal and honest, To serve Nigeria with all my strength, To defend her unity and Uphold her honor and glory, So help me God
Oh God creation, direct our noble cause, Guild our leaders right, help our youth the truth to know,In love and honesty to grow, And living just and true, Great lofty height attain, to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.
PLEDGE.
I pledge to Nigeria my country , To be faithful, loyal and honest, To serve Nigeria with all my strength, To defend her unity and Uphold her honor and glory, So help me God
Monday, October 5, 2009
the structure of the story is so good, that you are curious of what going to happen next and it captivate you that you want to read more. the description of the writer is fantastic in way that he uses simple words to express things in way you would understand as soon as you read through the lines. the imagery too is exceptional to me when i was reading the story i never stopped thinking that i was watching a movie, the choice is word was so good and simple, no big vocabulary that makes you stop for a while to think about the meaning of the word to continue, every words has its explanation as you read through the story. the character development was unique, he focused more on the main characters and didn't talk much about characters that weren't relevant to the story so you do not loss focus on the main characters but then way it was simple and understandable without stress. i was able to learn a lot from the writer on how to use simple words to express things in a very unique and decent way and not worry about big words and also the structure of the story how it focus on a format like someone was telling a story and it nevber deviated from that format tell the end.
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