For too
long, Nigeria and Nigerians have been readily associated with the online scams,
financial crime and impersonation - termed ‘419’.
However, beyond the unfortunate stereotyping, there are several positive characteristics
and cogent intriguing traits of the country, Nigeria and its people, some of
which are highlighted below as part of the ‘419 Reasons to Like Nigeria’ campaign which enlisted 100 volunteers
and bloggers to share reasons why they like Nigeria. These reasons echo the
voices of Nigerians, with resonating similar themes. The campaign is being
facilitated in partnership with ‘The 419Positive Project’.
The full list of ‘419 Reasons to Like Nigeria’ is available here (www.419Positive.org)
The list of contributors to ‘419 Reasons to Like Nigeria’ is
available here
If you would like to say something positive about
Nigerians and Nigeria, please do so here.
NIGERIA - THE LAND OF POTENTIAL AND
OPPORTUNITY
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I like Nigeria because it is a land of endless
opportunities and possibilities. Nigeria is one country I believe the world is
yet to experience it true potentials. I believe Nigerians are sharp, brilliant
and accommodating people. Giving the right enabling environment the world will
marvel at what Nigeria will become.
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Nigeria is the most populous black nation - and a
buying one at that. From a capitalist point of view, this makes for a great
investment opportunities.
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The fact that Nigeria currently lags behind so much -
in infrastructure and developmental terms - hints at the size of the potential
for innovation and transformation, and at the huge number of vacancies that
exist for 'transformers'. What I think this means is that the world will be
hearing a lot about Nigeria and high-achieving Nigerians (in the public and
private sectors) in the near future.
NIGERIA - THE COUNTRY
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The Nigerian Green and White flag is a notable
national symbol. The green color symbolises agriculture, seeing that the
country is endowed with masses of arable land, while the white colour signifies
unity and peace. Other national symbols include the Nigerian Coat of Arms,
which depicts an eagle on a black shield, tri-sected by two wavy silver bands,
and supported on either side by two chargers. The national motto underlies the
coat-of -arms: "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress." Her national
symbols convey great meaning to its people.
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The Nigerian accent is currently ranked by CNN Global
Experiences as the 5th sexiest accent in the world.
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Nigeria is home to Nollywood, one of the world's
biggest film industries.
NIGERIA - THE CULTURE, THE FOOD, THE WAY
OF LIFE
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Something great to like about Nigeria is our cultural
diversity. A strong affinity exists, despite our differences. Learning about
other ethnic cultures in my country really helped me personally relate to other
cultures when abroad.
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I think the food is tastier in Nigeria than that I
have found in other countries.
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Nigerians live a communal life style. The extended family is part of the immediate
family in a Nigerian home.
NIGERIA - THE MUSIC, THE MOVIES, THE
DANCE, THE ART
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Nigeria has produced many world class musicians. A
notable mention in this regard is Fela Anikulapo Kuti. A Broadway show titled ‘FELA!’
was produced in 2009 depicting the life and times of the Afrobeat musician.
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Nigeria’s movie industry, Nollywood, is reputedly the
3rd largest film industry after Hollywood and Bollywood, and has grown
gradually into a $250 million industry in more than 10 years.
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Nigerian indigenous musical instruments are unique,
soulful and rhythmic. They comprise the popular Talking Drum, producing
proverbial and storytelling sounds, the Shaker (shekere), the Udu drum, the
Lute, the leg and arm Rattle, the Omele, the Ogene (Gong originating in Eastern
Nigeria), the Ekwe drum and the Kakaki (A 4m metal trumpet popular in Northern
Nigeria). Many of these instruments have been incorporated in South American
music over the years
NIGERIA - GEOGRAPHY and NATURAL
RESOURCES
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Nigeria is a nation blessed with rich human and
natural resources. As the 8th largest exporter of Oil in the world, with the 10th
largest proven reserves, our blessings cannot be overemphasised. No
earthquakes, no tsunamis, no droughts, an evergreen land. The rest of the world
should live here.
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The beauty of the Nigerian state cannot but leave one
in awe. Blessed with captivating physical features and abundant wild life. From
the rolling hills to the vast plains in the North Central Nigeria and the
forests in the South, the beautiful scenery of the country is more than
breathtaking and with the wildlife spread all over the country; Nigeria is
surely a beauty to behold and a tourist's delight all year round.
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Nigeria is blessed with tremendous agricultural
resources. Cotton in the North, Cocoa & Oil palm in the south amongst many
others. The flag is green for a reason
NIGERIA - WEST AFRICA, AFRICA and THE
WORLD
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Nigeria has the largest population of any country in
Africa. 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.
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Nigeria is the largest contributor of troops to the
ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) and by extension, is the largest force for
peace and stability in West Africa.
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A Nigerian will stand out anywhere you find him/her, from
Libya to London, Tokyo to Timbuktu. Well known examples include Hakeem Olajuwon
(Houston Rockets, USA), Olumide Oyedeji (Seattle Sonics), Tunde Baiyewu
(Lighthouse Family), Sunday Adelaja (Ukraine), Chris Aire (US), etc.
NIGERIA - INDUSTRIOUS, INNOVATIVE and ENTERPRISING,
with ACHIEVEMENTS
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Nigerians are intelligent, brilliant minds who have proven
their mettle in various fields - Wole Soyinka was the first African to win the
much coveted Nobel Prize for literature in 1986. Chinua Achebe’s classic novel
‘Things Fall Apart’ was ranked as number 14 in a list of top 100 books in the
world by Newsdesk in 2009. Others include Cyprian Ekwensi, Mabel Segun, Chimamanda
Adichie and Helon Habila whose literary works have won both international and
local awards at various times.
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We have budding fashion designers. Yes! It's a line
every Bunmi, Amaka and Amina has decided to tow but to disregard the effort and
originality of our Fashion Designers would be disrespectful. Tiffany Amber,
Lanre Da Silva and Deola Sagoe are building world renowned brands, not to
mention the legacy developed by the likes of Abba Folawiyo, Maureen Onigbanjo,
Remi Lagos and Zizzi Cardow.
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Nigerians have excelled in the fields of economics and
finance, managing well established global bodies. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the
current Minister of Finance, was until recently a Managing Director at The
World Bank. Obiageli Ezekwisili is
currently the Vice President for Africa at The World Bank. Mr Adebayo Ogunlesi
is a first class graduate of Oxford, and Managing Partner of Global
infrastructure Partner (GIP), a concessionaire of London’s Gatwick
International Airport.
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We take technology and expand it in ways those who
created it could not have imagined. For instance, take the BlackBerry Messenger
(BBM) which allows you to send broadcast messages to all addresses on your
contacts list; Nigerians recently found a unique way of advertising the
different businesses they do. Someone started a message highlighting the fact
that many people in Nigeria are entrepreneurs or provide a service and included
his BB PIN in the message and sent to all his contacts with the charge that
they state the service they provide, include their PIN and send on to all their
contacts too. This seemingly small campaign has gone “viral” with whole lists
of entrepreneurs and their BB PINs being passed from phone to phone. This is a
clear sign of the ingenuity of Nigerians!
NIGERIA – GREAT PEOPLE
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Nigeria is the 7th most populous nation in
the world (over 160 million) and most populous in Africa - a gold mine of
energetic, determined and talented people in each and every field. From Lagos
to Aba to Kano, the Nigerian business spirit and desire to succeed is visible.
It requires just proper harnessing of these human resources before Nigeria
becomes the super power she was meant to be.
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Nigerians are passionate, friendly, welcoming, hospitable,
and well cultured people. The average Nigerian reflects a combination of
vivacity, intelligence, energy, talent, and resolution.
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We are a nation of people that can hardly hide their
excitement at seeing family and friends. Some misconstrue this thinking we are
loud but let's just say we are EXPRESSIVE! If you see us on the streets of New
York making a big ruckus and hugging? No sweat. We are just happy to see each
other.
NIGERIA – THE RESILIENT SPIRIT
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The Giant of Africa: Not ignoring the current
challenges, eventually, when we get our acts right, we will reign supreme on
the global scene. We have the potential and as is much touted by the Warri
people - "Naija no dey carry
last"
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The 'survivor-mentality' hard-wired into the DNA of
Nigeria's people. The fact that against all the odds (and there are many of
them), Nigerians continue to live, hustle and seek to triumph. It is not by
mistake that Nigeria is regarded as one of the "happiest" countries
in the world, despite its challenging economic and social conditions.
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We are hardy. The average Nigerian does business under
circumstances that are unimaginable to people from other parts. In a place
where there is no power, no credit, and scant regulation, people do business
and do very well for themselves too. If you can make it in Nigeria, you can
make it anywhere in the world.
NIGERIA – TOURISM and SPORTS
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Nigeria is an amazing tourist haven and is home to the
Obudu Cattle Ranch, located in Calabar. It is only 45 miles from the Cameroon
border. The Obudu Plateau is spread over 40 sq. miles and is 5,200 feet above
sea level. The Obudu resort features a Gorilla Camp where tourists may observe
gorillas in their natural habitat.
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Nigeria has two UNESCO world heritage sites, the Osun
Osogbo Sacred Grove and the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa. UNESCO world
heritage sites are places designated as being of cultural significance.
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Nigeria has produced great footballers like Teslim
“Thunder” Balogun (the first Nigerian to play for an English Club – QPR), Segun
Odegbami, Muda Lawal, Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini (who scored Nigeria’s first
ever goal at the World Cup), Nwankwo Kanu, Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, John Mikel
Obi, Osaze Odemwingie, to mention but a few.
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Nigeria has excelled in athletics over the years,
still holding continental records in the 100m men and women, 4x100m men and
women, 400m men and women, among others. Over 100 skilled Nigerian professional
footballers played in First Division leagues in different countries all over
Europe in the 2010/2011 season, 9 in England; 8 each in Finland, Norway; 10 in
Ukraine and 7 in Sweden.
NIGERIA – UNITY in DIVERSITY
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Nigerians, despite our diversity are a united people
who always strive to help one another. With 774 local government areas, multi
religious and ethnic affiliations, 36 States, and population of over 160
million, we still stand undeterred to move forward together.
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Even outside the country, Nigerians remain united.
This gives a quiet assurance somewhat that you can get on a plane and go to any
country of the world and find a Nigerian there who will not only make you feel
welcome but will go out of their way to be of really good help. I have
experienced this several times on my travels and each time it amazes me how all
I need to be is a Nigerian, not Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa and once I run into
another Nigerian, I will immediately feel at home.
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Our greatest strength lies in our diversity.
The ‘419
Reasons to Like Nigeria’ Campaign is in partnership with ‘The
419Positive Project’.
