100 Interesting Facts about Nigeria by Morin Okenla

1. The country was named "Nigeria" after the River Niger. Niger River is Africa's third largest river.
2. The main rivers of Nigeria are the Niger and the Benue, which meet and empty into the Niger Delta, one of the largest river deltas in the world.
3. Nigeria’s flag is three vertical strips of green white and green. The green stands for farming and agriculture, and the white represents peace.
4. Archaeological evidence shows that human existence in Nigeria has a history which starts from 9000 BC. The Nok civilization (around 500 BC-200 AD) is the earliest known civilization here.
5. The area around the Benue and Cross River is thought to be the original homeland of the Bantu migrants who spread across most of central and southern Africa in waves between the 1st millennium BC and the 2nd millennium.
6. Nigeria has a population of about 120 million.
7. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the eighth most populous country in the world. Approximately 1 out of every 2 West Africans, 1 out of every 4 Africans, and 1 out of every 5 persons of African origin is a Nigerian.
8. The Nigerian playwright and social critic Wole Soyinka, won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1986. A prolific and perspective writer, his works include Kongi’s Harvest, Death and the King’s Horsemen, Ake : the Years of Childhood and The Man Died : Prison Notes.
9. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is Nigeria's most popular and best selling literary piece ever, translated into over 40 languages.
10. Other Nigerian writers and poets who are well known internationally include John Pepper Clark, Ben Okri, Cyprian Ekwensi, Buchi Emecheta, Helon Habila, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ken Saro Wiwa and Saintmoses Eromosele a poet, playwright and social critic who wrote his first book, a novela, at the age of  16.
11. Nigerians love to pray. The Redeemed Christian Church of God holds a special event called the Holy Ghost Service, an all-night miracle service on the first Friday of every month in Ogun State, Nigeria. Attendance at this service is between 800,000 to 1,200,000 people. Also, millions of moslems go on pilgrimage to Mecca every year according to the fifth pillar of Islam.
12. The largest National Park in Nigeria is the Gashaka Gumpti National Park. It is 6,670 sq. Km (about 10 times the size of Singapore) and is in the Adamawa state of Nigeria in the north east of Nigeria.
13. Lagos is the former capital of Nigeria and is now the commercial capital. It is the fastest growing city in the world and the 3rd largest city in the world by 2010 with an estimated population of 20.2 million.
14. “Nollywood” is the term used to describe the Nigerian Film industry, a new exciting phenomenon that has taken Africa by storm. Reputedly the 3rd largest film industry after Hollywood and Bollywood, it has grown from almost nothing to a $250 million industry in 16 years and in the process making stars out of people like Genevieve Nnaji, Regina Askia, Nkem Owoh, Richard Mofe Damijo and others.
15. Arguably Nigeria’s most famous musician is the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938 – 1997) popularly known as ‘Fela’. A Pioneer of a unique fusion of Jazz and West African Highlife music dubbed Afrobeat, Fela was a prolific song writer and a spectacular stage performer. Some of his productions include: Shakara, Gentleman, Zombie, Suffering and smiling and Palaver. New comers include P.Squre and D’banj.
16. Although Nigeria is generally considered to be a hot tropical country, the highlands around Jos in central Nigeria have a very temperate weather with an average temperature of 20o C.
17. The oldest university in Nigeria is the University of Ibadan, which was founded in 1948 as a college of the University of London. It became an independent University in 1962.
18. Nigeria’s flag consists of three vertical strips of green white and green. The green strips represent the agricultural potential of the country white the white strip represents peace.
19. Nigeria is the 3rd largest market in the world for Guinness and one of the few places outside Ireland where Guinness is brewed. The Nigerian stout has slightly different flavour from the Irish one; it is characterised by being less bitter but stronger.
20. Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic in Africa.
21. The country is divided into thirty-six states and one Federal Capital Territory called Abuja.
22. Nigeria is situated in Western Africa and is surrounded by the Republic of Benin in the west and Cameroon in the east and Niger in the north. Its coastal sides fall on the Gulf of Guinea and part of the Atlantic Ocean, in the south. Nigeria is officially named the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
23. English is the official language of Nigeria. There are more than 300 languages, 250 ethnic groups and 4,000 dialects are spoken in the country.
24. There are approximately 521 languages spoken in Nigeria. This number includes 510 living languages, two second languages without native speakers and nine extinct languages.
25. In some areas of Nigeria, ethnic groups speak more than one language.
26. The major languages spoken in Nigeria represent three major families of African languages – the majority are Niger-Congo languages, such as Yoruba, Igbo, the Hausa language is Afro-Asiatic; and Kanuri, spoken in the northeast, primarily Borno State, is a member of the Nilo-Saharan family.
27. The major languages of communication in the country remain indigenous languages. The Yoruba and Igbo, have derived standardized languages from a number of different dialects and are widely spoken by those ethnic groups.
28. Nigerian Pidgin English, often known simply as 'Pidgin' or 'Broken' (Broken English), is widely spoken throughout Nigeria.
29. Nigerian Naira is the official currency of Nigeria.
30. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a member of the Commonwealth.
31. The highest point in Nigeria is Chappal Waddi (2,419 m).
32. The main religions in Nigeria are Islam, Christianity and others practice traditional religion.
33. Apart from being a regional power, Nigeria is also listed amongst the "Next Eleven" economies.
34. The Next Eleven (or N-11) are eleven countries—Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Turkey, and Vietnam—identified by Goldman Sachs investment bank as having a high potential of becoming the world's largest economies in the 21st century along with the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India & China).
35. Nigeria has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund.
36. Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach Nigeria (1472).
37. Oil was discovered in Nigeria in 1956, at Oloibiri (Bayelsa State).
38. Port Harcourt, on the Niger Delta, is the center of Nigeria's oil industry.
39. Nigeria is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), with petroleum accounting for 95 percent of its export income.
40. Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the 8th largest petroleum exporter.
41. Nigeria has the 10th largest proven reserves of petroleum, in the world.
42. Nigeria has been ruled by military for most of the 50 years of its independence from Britain.
43. Football is Nigeria's national sport.
44. Nigeria is an important centre for biodiversity. It is widely believed that the areas surrounding Calabar, Cross River State, contain the world's largest diversity of butterflies.
45. The drill monkey is only found in the wild in Southeast Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon.
46. Nigeria has the highest rate of twin births in the world, compared to any other country. Most twins come from the southwestern region.
47. Nigeria covers a total of 577,355 sq miles; that is two and a half times the size of California.
48. The major ethnic groups are the Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani, Ibo, Igala, Kanuri, Tiv, Ibiobio, Ijaw, Edo, Efik, Urhobo, Edoma, Itsekiri.
49. The story of Nigeria is a selfless history of leadership in many areas. Nigeria's citizens are, not surprising, serving as the epitome of this leadership globally in the sciences, arts, humanities, sports, diplomacy, business, media, music etc.
50. The diversity of Nigeria is reflected in its rainbow of creeds and complexions, views and counterviews, stretching from the fringes of the desert in the North to the Atlantic waters in the South.
51. With one of the highest literacy rates in Africa, Nigerians are their own harshest critics, loudly establishing organs to make sure they are heard.
52. The country has the largest and most vocal press in Africa, publishing views and opinions freely expressed.
53. Nigeria has the second largest newspaper market in Africa (after Egypt), with an estimated circulation of several million copies daily (2009).
54. Nigerians largely remain united in a single, unswerving thread: ONE NIGERIA.
55. Nigeria is a global leader in peacekeeping.
56. Since joining the United Nations in 1960, Nigeria has consistently committed itself to the cause of peacekeeping and peacemaking. She sent her first troops to participate in the UN peace mission in the Congo, only days after its independence.
57. Today, Nigeria leads the world in international peacekeeping.
58. Of the 80 countries contributing troops to over 20 global operations, Nigeria has more than 6,500 men keeping the peace outside its borders in places such as Bosnia Herzgovena, Iraq, Kuwait, Western Sahara, Liberia, Angola, Rwanda.
59. Nigerian troops have also served in Somalia, Mozambique and Cambodia, The Congo, Chad, Lebanon, India, Pakistan (Kashmir).
60. Nigeria is a global leader in education. There are more than 18 million students in Nigerian schools at all levels. That is more than the total human population of South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Tanzania and the school population of France, Britain and Spain put together.
61. The country adopted a 6-3-3-4 educational policy in 1982. The policy requires six years primary education, a two-tier (3-year junior, 3-year senior) secondary education and four years of University education.
62. There are 31 universities in Nigeria today.
63. Apart from fully funding primary education all around the country, the government also runs secondary schools, and funds technical colleges, polytechnics and universities in all 30 states of Nigeria.
64. There are hundreds of privately-owned schools duly approved by government for the benefit of those who prefer to send their children to private schools.
65. While literacy rate stands at about 50 per cent, one of the highest in Africa, the goal of Nigeria is to eradicate illiteracy in the shortest time possible.
66. Nigeria has made its mark in global sports competition. Its national soccer team, the Super Eagles, is adjudged the best in Africa and one of the best ten in the world.
67. Nigeria won the first World Cup in the under-16 category in China in 1985 and came second in the same category two years later in Canada.
68. Its Under-20 soccer team won the bronze medal in the Junior World Cup competition in the Soviet Union in 1985 and the silver medal in Saudi Arabia in 1989.
69. In the 1994 World Cup competition, Nigeria led its group to qualify for the second round.
70. In professional boxing, Nigeria has produced three world champions (Hogan "Kid" Bassey (featherweight, 1957-1959); Dick Tiger, (middleweight, 1962-1963) and Massachusetts resident, Bash Ali.
71. Nigeria's athletes have also won Olympic medals in long jump, 400 x 4 relay and several other track and field events.
72. Dozens of Nigerians are today professional athletes in Europe and America.
73. A Nigerian based in the US, Hakeem Olajuwon, is today roundly adjudged the best basketballer in the world.
74. It is the third largest economy in Africa, it is also the largest exporter of oil in Africa and is a regional power that is also the hegemon in West Africa.
75. Regional hegemony is a concept in international relations which refers to the influence exercised over neighboring countries by an independently powerful nation, the regional hegemon.
76. Nigeria's oil reserves are the ninth largest in the world. In 1987, crude oil reserves totalled 16 billion barrels. In 1997, the reserves rose to 20 billion barrels.
77. Nigeria is a member of OPEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
78. A Nigerian was elected Secretary General of OPEC for a record six terms.
79. Nigeria also has vast largely unexplored natural gas reserves, the world's fifth largest. Dozens of European and American businesses are currently exploring joint venture businesses in gas production.
80. Kennis Music, is the number-one record label in Africa specializing in R&B, pop and hip-hop music, founded by popular Nigerian radio DJ Kenny Ogungbe.
81. In November 2008, Nigeria's music scene (and that of Africa) received international attention when MTV hosted the continent's first African music awards show in Abuja.
82. The Nigerian video-film industry is known as Nollywood, which is now the second-largest producer of movies in the world. Many of the film studios are based in Lagos and Enugu, and the industry is now a very lucrative income for these cities.
83. T.B. Joshua's Emmanuel TV, originating from Nigeria, is also one of the most viewed television stations across Africa.
84. Nigerian feasts are colourful and lavish. Jollof rice with fried chicken is widely eaten and miniature canteens sell indigenous dishes.
85. According to the official May 2010 FIFA World Rankings, Nigeria was the second top-ranked football nation in Africa and the 21st highest in the world.
86. Boxing is also an important sport in Nigeria; Dick Tiger and Samuel Peter are both former World Champions.
87. The infant mortality rate is 69.46 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
88. Life expectancy at birth:for the whole population is 53.3 years.
89. Nigerian's take marriage seriously, 97% get married.
90. Total fertility rate is 6.02 children born/woman (1999 est.)
91. Religion ratio in Nigeria is roughly - Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%.
92. The percentage of the population below poverty line is 34.1% (1992-93 est.).
93. The size of the labor force is a whooping 42.844 million!
94. There are several popular and colourful festivals in Nigeria, the msot famous is the new yam festival which is celebrated in communities across southern Nigeria.
95. Nigeria has very rich and diverse cultures and traditions. Music and dance are used at almost every event.
96. The most popular musical instrument is the drum. They vary from one region to another. The talking drum is used by the Yoruba people in the south western part of Nigeria.
97. Nigeria is a leader in fashion. There are many national successful fashion designers and Nigeria has won several internal fashion awards. Ibukun Jegede, Makinda Moka and Unjunwa Nwobodo are some of the top models at the London Fashion week 2010.
98. Nigerians can be found living all over the world, from China to Falkland Islands. There is an estimated 10 million Nigerians living outside Nigeria.
99. Nigerians living abroad are the most educated ethnic group out of all black people in the world and they occupy the most influential positions.
100. The best thing in the world is to be a Nigeria, first, you do not need to introduce yourself, second you stand out because Nigerians are one of the tallest people in the world and lastly because Nigeria has the potential to be the most powerful country in the world!
     
     
     

DID I MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON? by Morin Okenla

I often recieve hundreds of emails daily but this one stood out, enjoy...


During one of our seminars, a woman asked a common question. She said, How do I know if I married the
right person?' I noticed that there was a large man sitting next to her so I said, 'It Depends. Is that your husband?' In all seriousness, she answered 'How do you know?' Let me answer this question because the chances are good that it's Weighing on your mind.


Here's the answer:
EVERY relationship has a cycle. In the beginning, you fell in love with Your spouse. You anticipated their
call, wanted their touch, and liked Their idiosyncrasies. Falling in love with your spouse wasn't hard. In fact, it was a Completely natural and spontaneous experience. You didn't have to DO anything. That's why it's called 'falling' in love... Because it's happening TO YOU.


People in love sometimes say, 'I was swept of my feet.' Think about the Imagery of that expression. It
implies that you were just standing There; Doing nothing, and then something came along and happened TO YOU.


Falling in love is easy. It's a passive and spontaneous experience. But after a few years of marriage, the euphoria of love fades. It's the Natural cycle of EVERY relationship. Slowly but surely, phone calls Become
a bother (if they come at all), touch is not always welcome (when it happens), and your spouse's idiosyncrasies, instead of being cute, drive


You nuts. The symptoms of this stage vary with every relationship, but if you Think about your marriage, you will notice a dramatic difference between the initial stage when you were in love and a much duller or even angry subsequent stage. At this point, you and/or your spouse might start Asking, 'Did I marry The right person?' And as you and your spouse reflect on the euphoria of The love you once had, you may begin to desire that experience with someone else. This is when marriages breakdown. People blame their spouse for their Unhappiness and look outside their marriage for fulfillment.


Extramarital fulfillment comes in all shapes and sizes. Infidelity is The most obvious. But sometimes people turn to work, church, a hobby, a Friendship, excessive TV, or abusive substances.But the answer to this dilemma does NOT lie outside your marriage. It lies within it. I'm not saying that you couldn't fall in love with someone else. You Could. And TEMPORARILY you'd feel better. But you'd be in the same situation a few years later. Because (listen carefully to this):


THE KEY TO SUCCEEDING IN MARRIAGE IS NOT FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON; IT'S LEARNING TO LOVE THE PERSON YOU FOUND. SUSTAINING love is not a passive or spontaneous experience. It'll NEVER just happen to you. You can't 'find' LASTING love. You have to 'make' it day in and day out. That's why we have the expression 'the labor of love.' Because it takes time, effort, and energy. And most importantly, it Takes WISDOM. You have to know WHAT TO DO to make your marriage work. Make no mistake about it.


Love is NOT a mystery. There are specific Things you can do (with or without your spouse) to succeed with your marriage. Just as there are physical laws of the universe (such as gravity), There are also laws for relationships. Just as the right diet and exercise Program makes you physically stronger, certain habits in your Relationship WILL make your marriage stronger. It's a direct cause and effect. If you know and apply the laws, the results are predictable... You can 'make' love.


Love in Marriage is indeed a 'Decision'... Not just a Feeling. 'We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge. People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever. Pause and ponder. Think before you act. Be Patient. Forgive & Forget. Love One and All.
'If you judge people, you have no time to love them'. -- Mother Teresa. Never take some one for granted . Hold every person close to your Heart because you might wake up one day and realise that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones.' Remember this always in life.

"LIFE is not a problem to be solved, but a GIFT to be enjoyed!"  Anonymous










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