ADOLESCENT NIGERIA

In the year 1914, Fred like Pat Whitney thought of a stunt. He imagined how interesting it would be to have united as one entity very different and diverse peoples, cultures and orientations. He joined the Hausas and Fulanis in the north to the south. The south was made up of the Yorubas, the Ibos and somewhere tucked under the Mid-westerners. So simply put he brought the north and joined them to the south or maybe it was the other way round. Academics and historians would say he amalgamated the northern and southern protectorates. What a fancy way to describe the birth of this rainbow-like beauty. Next came the naming ceremony which was obviously Flora’s happiest role in the humble yet loud beginnings of the dark and beautiful maiden. She called her Nigeria and Fred, her husband obviously didn’t mind as the name stuck. She was Nigeria but wasn’t really free until forty-six years later, she asked to be left alone. She asked to be allowed to take responsibility of herself and as we say answer her father’s name. And so in 1960, Fred and Flora’s successors and their masters were kind enough to grant her three years of probation after which she was left very free and allowed be responsible for herself. Those fellows who put on academic gowns would again refer to this in a very gorgeous way. They would say she had become a republic. Immediately after this the drama started. She changed from the sweet small infant to a drama, a very interesting one staged at the world theatre and for the world.

Interesting though the drama called Nigeria was, but even more interesting are the actors and actresses. I often wonder what makes Nigeria Nigeria. Is it the area, the geographical location, the topography or the people? It is no news that the name Nigeria was originally inspired by a geographic natural endowment, the River Niger. While rummaging for a suitable name for the just amalgamated peoples, Flora Shaw thought of the River Niger which apparently was at the center of the whole land. Thus influenced, she then decided to call the new entity the area around the River Niger- Niger area.

Trumpets that have continued to sound Nigeria’s name even beyond the earth are the so many significant natural resources the land is blessed with. In this era of industrialization, crude oil is an essential commodity needed to run the world. The crude oil of Nigeria is in special demand because of its low lead content. Outside the shores of Nigeria, it is referred to as sweet oil. Nigeria is also known to have in abundance many other natural resources like coal, timber, wildlife, tropical forests, rainfall, sunshine, agriculture-friendly environment and a host of others. Natural disasters are a rarity.