Nigeria's 56th Independence Day - The Top 10 'Must See' Events + Burna Boy in Concert

If you still thinking about what to do today to celebrate the Nigerian independence day here is a round-up of what's on in the capital this weekend:

Before we go further, let's get a clear picture of where Nigeria is coming from. 

It has been 56 years since it gained independence from Britain. The history of Nigeria ias linked to the "Scramble for Africa." This was the invasion, occupation, division, colonization and annexation of African territory by European powers during the period of New Imperialism, between 1881 and 1914. British colonisers invaded the area now known as Nigeria and on 1 January 1901, Nigeria became a British protectorate, part of the British Empire. It was during the scramble for Africa, that the map of Nigeria was sketched. 

The British took over the territory, occupied and controlled it. The British colonisers then divided the occupied lands between the Southern Protectorate and the Northern Protectorate. The north and the south were later amalgamated by Frederick John Dealtry Lugard, the then governor of the two protectorates, in 1914. The country became independent in 1960.

This is enough reason for us to celebrate our freedom!
So here is how and where to celebrate:

Friday 30 September
Meridian Grand - North London - nearest train station: Angel Road
Viva Hall Party will be hosted in London at the Meridian Grand in North London.
Price: £21.43 – £31.85
Time: 5.30pm – 2am
For tickets and more information click here .

The Official 56th Nigerian Independence Party - CLUB 701 : 516 Old Kent Rd - nearest tube station: Queens Road Peckham/South Bermodsey
Price: £10-£15
Time: 10pm-4am
Music genres: Afrobeats, bashment, r'n'b.
For tickets and more information click here. 


Saturday 1 October
Nigeria Independence Fashion Show UK 2016 - Britannia Village Hall 65 Evelyn Rd, E16 1 - nearest tube: West Silverton (DLR)
The organisers say: "Not only are we hosting the most exciting fashion show of the year, we are paying special recognition to some very important Nigerians, taking a look back at the achievements of the country and we'll also make time to discuss improvements."
Time: Sat 1 Oct 2016 6pm-10pm
For tickets and more information click here.

Nigeria's 56th Independence Day's Anniversary - 75-79 Norwood Rd, London SE24 9AA - nearest train station is Herne Hill
Event features music, game and raffle draw and comedy shows by Nigerian comedians
Music genres: African, funk, hip hop, pop, UK garage
Price: free
Time: 7pm-12am
For tickets and more information click here.

Celebratin Nigeria's National Independence - Splendore Unique - nearest tube station: Angel
Organisers said: "Saturday we celebrate with the whole of #Nigeria on their 56th National Independence Day courtesy of @luxafrique at the world's most exclusive and renowned locations in the world, The House of Commons."
For tickets, more information and to contact the organisers, click here.

Fashion Show

The organisers say they are celebrating Nigeria's 56th Independence Day's Anniversary; 'it marks the end of British colonial rule in territories that form modern-day Nigeria. It's a free event, however we really on generous donations of the attendees for funding/ forthcoming events. It will be an evening of Fun & entertainment

The event would feature a bunch of UK artistes/ DJ.

Music by artists & DJ

Game & raffle draw

Comedy by top UK based Nigerian comedians

Hosts: Toastemasta & Honey Gee

Contact: 07440039242

Come let’s celebrate our 9ja For more click here

PLUS....

Burna Boy is performing at the Hammersmith Apollo

• Date: Oct 1 , 2016
• Days until show: Today
• Doors Time: 18:30
• Organised by  Cokobar
• On stage: 
• TICKETS SOLD OUT 

 NB: Yes o ... visit Mama Put in Peckham for her address leave a comment and I will get back to you *wink*

Happy Independence day Naija peeps!

Nigerian Independence Day: Students protest against funding in Lagos

Today marks the 56th year after Nigeria gained her independence. You may think that should be a great milestone for a developed country but it is not. Nigeria still languishes in underdevelopment, poverty, chaotic power supply, bad infrastructure, medieval transport system and bad education.

On a day when the country should be celebrating peaceful, students in the commercial capital of Nigeria are staging a protest. Why?

The students have had enough of the lack of funding across national departments especially in the education sector. Education in Nigeria cannot even be rated internationally. The government places more emphasis on changing peoples attitudes without a solid educational structure. How do you change the minds of 180 million people if not through education?

I was in Nigeria a few weeks ago and I visited some schools in Ajah, Lagos. What I saw was beyond belief. A brand new school building yet to be opened had be used as a toilet!!! Five classes had been vandalised and fouled. You can just image the sight and smell. The pictures are too disgusting to be posted.

According to reports, the leader of the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks, ANSA Wole Olubanji would lead a protest by Nigerian students against the attacks waged on Nigerian students and parents. 

WHAT THE STUDENTS ARE DEMANDING:

1. Education is underfunded in Nigeria so the federal government should give 26 % of its budget to education as requested by The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO.
2. The government should reduce the salaries of political office holders immediately and slash them to the average wage and allowances of skilled workers.
3. The difference should be diverted to funding education in order to increase the creativity and productivity of the country. 

Students across the country, under the aegis of Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks, ANSA, will today, stage a mass protest in Lagos in commemoration of the 56th Independence Day in Nigeria.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/independence-day-nigerian-students-set-protest-attacks-lagos/

Students across the country, under the aegis of Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-Liberal Attacks, ANSA, will today, stage a mass protest in Lagos in commemoration of the 56th Independence Day in Nigeria. At a press briefing which took place Thursday, at the International Press Centre, Lagos, the students said they are protesting against the myriads of attacks waged on Nigerian students and parents. The convener, Comrade Wole Olubanji said the protest would take off by 8am, at Ikeja Under-bridge where students from various institutions of learning are expected to converge. PROTEST—University of Lagos students protesting the re-naming of the institution after late MKO Abiola yesterday in Lagos. According to him, the attacks on Nigerian students are induced by failed successive governments that obstinately refused to depart from the neo-liberal, pro-rich and elitist policies of previous regimes. The convener who said education was underfunded in Nigeria called on the federal government, to give 26 % of its budget to education as requested by The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNESCO, Also, he said it was time the government reduced the salaries of political office holders and stand against extravagant life styles of politicians. He said, “ the government continues to condone the extravagant lifestyles of political office holders with a bulk of the national budget. Change must start with cutting the jumbo salaries of these politicians. We demand this must be immediately slashed to the average wage and allowances of skilled workers. The difference, we demand, should be diverted to funding education in order to increase the creativity and productivity of this country during this period of government-induced recession.” In attendance was Secretary, Joint Action Front JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu who also called on government to look into the plight of Nigerian students.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/independence-day-nigerian-students-set-protest-attacks-lagos/

Nigeira is 54 today! Happy Indepence day to all Nigerians - Here are 10 fantastic things about Nigeria

ifebamidele.blogspot.com

1. Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Lagos is the commercial capital.
2. The country 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. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean.
3. The area now called Nigeria was originally made up of powerful kingdoms such as the Hausea Empire, Benin Kingdom, the Yoruba Empire, Nok and many more.
4. There are 252 languages spoken in Nigeria including a variation of thousands of dialects.
5. Nigeria is often referred to as the "Giant of Africa", due to its large population and economy. Nigeria is now the biggest economy in Africa. Her economy (GDP) became the largest in Africa this year, worth more than $500 billion, and overtook South Africa to become the world's 26th largest economy. The population of Nigeria now stands at 188 million and seventh most populous country in the world.
6. The region was run down during the trans-Saharan and trans =Atlantic slave trade which started around 800 AD and lasted until the 19th Century.
7. Shortly afterwards, the British colonised the broken down empires which had underpopulated and weakened by the trade.
8. With the help of able Nigerians such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikwe, Alhaji Amadu Bello and hundreds of others, Nigeria snatched her independence from Britain in 1960.
9. In 1967, Nigeria, under the stress of a new management fell into civil war. The Igbos declared their own country known as Biafra and the British came in to assist in maintaining a Federal State.
10. Today, we celebrate the extermination of ebola and 54 years of unity!

More to come later. Keep checking!