About Nigeria

[Okyeame Kwame]

Nigeria is located on the west coast of Africa and is the most populous black country in the world, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Benin and Cameroon. Nigeria covers 356,668 sq miles (923,7770 sq kilometers). It is about the same size as California, Nevada and Utah combined. Nigeria is diverse in people and culture. The history of the country goes back to 500 BC when the Nok people were the inhabitants. It was the ending of the 15th century European explorers and traders began their lucrative slave trade with the Yoruba and Benin peoples. In 1861 Lagos was colonized by the British and 1914, the entire country became The Colony and Protectorate of
Nigeria. Nigeria became independent in 1960.


NIGERIAN NATIONAL FLAG

Nigeria’s National Flag is divided vertically into three equal parts of green, white and green colours. The White at the center symbolises peace and unity, while the green on the two outer parts stands for the country's agriculture. The flag was designed in 1960 by one Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, who was then a student in London, England.

COAT OF ARMS

As regards the Coat of Arms, it features an Eagle mounted on a black shield tri-seated by two silver wavy bands. The two white chargers support the shield and at its base is a wreath of coctus spectabilis - a flower cast in the national colours of while and green - that is found throughout Nigeria. • The black shield represents the good, fertile soil of Nigeria. • The White wavy bands represents the rivers Nigeria and Benue, the two main inland water ways in Nigeria that meet at the Confluence town of Lokoja, Kogi State, north central Nigeria. • The White horses (two chargers/supporters represent dignity. • The Eagle represents strength. • The ground on which the armorial bearing stands is coctus spectablis which is a common wild flower found throughout Nigeria.

NATIONAL MOTTO
Nigeria’s National Motto is "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress".
THE NATIONAL 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 honour and glory So help me God.
PORTRAITS ON NIGERIA’S NATIONAL CURRENCY NOTES i. One Naira Note - Herbert Macauley, Nationalist Leader ii. Five Naira Note - Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, (1912-1966), First Prime Minister. Iii. Ten Naira Note - Alvan Ikoku, Nationalist Leader (1900-1971) iv. Twenty Naira Note - Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed, (1936-1976), Former Head of State v. Fifty Naira Note - Graphics depicting the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria i.e. Yoruba, Hausa and Ibo (WAZOBIA) vi. One Hundred Naira Note - Chief Obafemi Awolowo, (1909-1987), Nationalist Leader, Premier of Western Region vii. Two Hundred Naira Note - Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, (1909-1966), First Premier of Northern Region viii. Five Hundred Naira Note - The Rt. Hon. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, (1904-1996), Nationalist Leader, First indigenous Governor General