Nigeria celebrates Independence, October 1, 2023
By Joy Osiagwu, Editorial Associate
Friday 29 September 2023
Nigeria is an African nation in the Gulf of Guinea and the most populous on the African Continent, with a population of over two hundred million. The multinational entity is inhabited by more than two hundred and fifty ethnic groups speaking more than five hundred distinct languages. However, the three major ethnic groups are Hausa in the north, Igbo in the east, and Yoruba in the west. English is the country’s official language.
Nigeria gained Independence from Britain in 1960 with an all-indigenous Executive Council led by Prime Minister Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Nnamdi Azikiwe, however, became the first Governor-General of the three federating regions of the North, East, and West in November 1960, with Lagos as the Federal Capital. The country experienced a civil war between 1967 and 1970 following the declaration of the State of Biafra’s Independence in the East. The war led to a series of military dictatorships and civilian governments until 1999 when a stable democracy emerged with the presidential election that welcomed the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The country is richly endowed with natural and human resources, including but not limited to crude oil, tin, coal, gold, steel, and rubber products. Some of the natural wildlife reserves and landmarks include the Yankari and Cross River National Parks with waterfalls and the Zuma Rock, a 725-tall monolith on the outskirts of the Federal Capital City, Abuja. Many of the thirty-six States have several places of interest for tourism.
Nigeria has the most significant African market economy; despite the size, it has mostly a lower middle-income labor force. Agriculture thrives in many states with products such as Cassava, maize, yam, oil palm, rice, fruit groundnuts, and sweet potatoes.
The Orange economy with the film industry (Nollywood) has drawn much attention to the country, featuring prominently on Netflix and worldwide. Nollywood has become the second largest in the world with an output, turning out over two thousand five hundred movies each year.
Current Governance Structure
Nigeria’s governance system is the Federal Presidential Republic, with a three-arm zone comprising an executive branch, the legislature, and the judiciary in Abuja, the capital city.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, as President, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The legislative arm is the bicameral National Assembly.
Trending News in Nigeria
Nigerians, both at home and abroad, are calling for justice and proper investigation into the death of a famous rising musical star, Oladimeji Aloba, also known as Mobad, a rapper, songwriter, and singer from Lagos State, who died mysteriously at 27 after a label feud. Candlelight processions have taken place in various cities in Nigeria and some locations in
Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, calling for the culprit to be brought to book. The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide San wo-Olu, has vowed to fish out those responsible and let justice take its course. Mobad, an indigene of Lagos State died on September 12, 2023.
Nigeria Ottawa Connection
The Nigerian Canadian Association Ottawa is the central umbrella organization for Nigerians in Ottawa. The organization’s objective is “to bring together the members and Canadians through educational, social, cultural, and economic activities to promote its members’ interests and foster Nigeria-Canada understanding and co-operation.
Executive Team
- Efe E. Omueti- President
- Elizabeth Chibor-Udeozor Secretary
- Dean Chimezie PRO
- Onyiye Abu Sports & Recreation Direction
- Temidayo Oluwalade Financial Secretary
Read more about the association on the website https://ncao.ca/
Click on the link below to see previous activities of the NCAO covered by Black Ottawa Scene.