Image Text:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Nigeria celebrates its 52nd year of independence today

TODAY MARKS the start of Black History Month; a celebration of the lives, achievements and growing legacy of black communities and individuals in Britain.

It is also special because it is the day Nigeria celebrated its first Independence Day, stepping forward a new nation, free from British rule.

In the 53 years since then, the country, known as the giant of Africa, has grown in leaps and bounds.

Below The Voice’s Juliana Lucas salutes her country by highlighting interesting facts and historic moments over the past five decades.

.......................................................................................

1.The country becomes a republic in 1963.

2. The name Nigeria, meaning Niger Area, was derived from the Niger River running through the country. It was coined by Times journalist Flora Shaw in the late 19th century.

3. Located in West Africa, Nigeria shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north.

4. The current president of Nigeria is Goodluck Jonathan. He was sworn in as the new president of the country in May 2010, following the death of former President Umaru Yar'adua.

PRESIDENT: Goodluck Jonathan

5. There are 36 states in Nigeria.

6. Abuja officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos.

7. There are three major tribes. That is the Hausa’s in the north, the Yoruba’s in the west, and the Ibo’s in the east.

8. Nigeria's official language is English.

9. A recent survey carried out by CIA World Factbook, estimates the population of Nigeria to be about 170,123,740 people.

10. Nigeria was formed by combining the northern (Hausas) and southern (Yorubas and Igbos) protectorates…

LOCATION: Map of Nigeria