FOREIGNER STORIES
ON NIGERIA

SITE AWARDS
JOBS IN NIGERIA & BEYOND
NIGERIAN ORGANIZATIONS
SEND FREE WEBCARD
IMMIGRATION
ONLINE AFFILIATES
LINK TO SITE
HOMEWORK HELP
USEFUL UTILITIES
THE LOVE ZONE
OTHER LINKS ON NIGERIA
LINK EXCHANGES
SCAM INFORMATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRO
THE GEOGRAPHY

LOCATION

MAP

STATES, CAPITALS, & LINKS

LAND & CLIMATE

RIVERS

TOWNS & CITIES
PATRIOTIC STUFF

FLAG

COAT OF ARMS

NATIONAL ANTHEM

NATIONAL PLEDGE

MOTTO
PEOPLES

POPULATION

RELIGION
     -CHRISTIANITY
     -ISLAM
     -TRADITIONAL
     -INFLUENCE

ETHNIC GROUPS
     -YORUBA
     -IBO (or IGBO)
     -HAUSA (& FULANI)
     -OTHERS
CULTURES & CUSTOMS
LANGUAGES & INTRO

LANGUAGES
     -YORUBA ALPHABET
        & LANGUAGE
     -IBO ALPHABET & LANGUAGE
     -HAUSA ALPHABET
        & LANGUAGE
     -LINKS TO OTHERS

LANGUAGE RESOURCES
     -GENERAL RESOURCES
     -YORUBA RESOURCES
     -IBO RESOURCES
     -HAUSA RESOURCES
     -OTHERS
MORE ON LANGUAGES
     -NUMBERS
     -PEOPLE
     -BODY PARTS
     -HOUSE PARTS
     -PLACES
     -OTHER WORDS
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES
NAMES & ORIGINS

YORUBA NAMES
     -THE NAMING CEREMONY
     -COMMON PARTS
     -CIRCUMSTANTIAL NAMES

IGBO NAMES

HAUSA NAMES

LINKS ON NAMES
MARRIAGE & FAMILY

THE WEDDING

MARRIAGE TIDBITS

FAMILY TIDBITS

OTHER SOURCES
FOODS AND DRINKS

INTRO

SOME MEALS

SOME DRINKS
RECIPES

RECIPES

LINKS
FOOD: BUYING & DINING

BUYING (ingredients and food)

DINING (restaurants)
HEALTHCARE

TRADITIONAL HEALTH

CURRENT HEALTH POLICY

INFO FOR TRAVELERS

SUBMIT YOUR STORY

You can either fill out the form below, or send an email.

Title of your story:

Name/Location (optional):

Story/Article:

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SUBMITTED STORIES

Submitted by Carmen W. on August 24, 2001

My Story on Nigeria

I have just arrived back in the U.S. from a 4 week stay on in Lagos, Nigeria. This was my second visit and I must admit that this trip was a lot better than my trip in 98. I did notice some changes in the country but for some reason I still could not adapt to the "Modern Day Slavery" that goes on there. I am an American female married to a Nigerian, the purpose of my trip was to spend time with my in-laws. I witnessed the abuse of so many house girls and boys that were waiting on me and my in-laws hand and foot. I found conditions to be below average for the workers who lived in my sister-in-law's home. The quarters where I slept was very nice but the area in which the house help slept was horrible. My family had no problem with their house help and drivers sleeping outside on mattresses and the ones who slept inside the house were made to sleep in filthy conditions. I thought this was totally ridiculous. Now I am convinced that I know the real reason why people say that "Nigeria is soo wonderful" it is simply because people can go there and employ cheap labor. The house girl that was employed by my family made 3000 niara (equivalent to $30 USD) . Now I ask how can one remain straight and never have the desire to be corrupt on a salary as small as 30 USD a month? It wouldn't be so bad if my in-laws did not flaunt their wealth to the poor and make them envious of them. Nigeria had some nice, clean parts that were very enjoyable, but for the most part I found the slavery thing to be deplorable.

Maybe that's why the country is in such bad shape. The rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. The government is greedy and everyone is out for their own gain.

Submitted by Sahid from Huddersfieild UK on October 23, 2001

I Love Nigeria

Odabo & Assalam Alaykum Brothers & Sisters

We spent just over 10 years in Nigeria and I have enjoyed every moment of it. My father loved Nigeria and its people. I loved the people and the food - Gari, Jollof rice, the pepper soup or Okra soup with pounded Yam. The people were friendly the atmosphere was excellent. I had a close friend - Frances in Ibadhan unfortunately he was killed in a Greyhound Bus crash in 1972. I had many more Umaru, Emeka, Sunday, Joeseph, Ade, Olafemi, and other who due to my stupidity and naive age I lost touch with. I loved the people of Nigeria you are such a great Nation and I hope that one Day Nigeria will have a high status that it deserves in the world.

I remember the Golden Eagles winning the African football cup what a moment that was. We traveled all over Nigeria - Ije-bode, Oyo, Ilorin, Kano, Zaria, Madugari, Makwa, Jebba, Kaduna, Jos, Kafanchan, Warri, Obomosho, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Ibadhan, Keffi, and probably lots more which I cannot recall.

I distinctly remember the assassination of Murtala Muhammed which was a very sad occasion I also recall the execution by firing squad of his killer - Dimka at Bar Beach. Wow - Bar Beach Victoria Island what a nice place.

My father emigrated to Nigeria from Pakistan in 1968 I was 5 at the time. we lived in Ibadhan and my father (Abdul Ghafoor Hashmi) worked for ECN (Electricity Corporation of Nigeria) which later became NEPA. He was a transmission Engineer in the operations department first at Ibadhan then at the head office the marina in Lagos. My mother did not work. Initially me and my brother went to Ele-yele School and then Sacred heart Primary School in Ibadhan. We lived at No. 3 Garba Tapa not far from Jericho Nursing Home. My youngest brother was born in Jerich Nursing home in 1971 and he had a nurse called Patricia and we also had a cook called Sunday.

In 1973 we moved to Lagos and lived on Victoria Island in NEPA flat no 8 on a road opposite the Federal Palace Hotel (I cannot remember the name of the road). I attended Corona Primary School Victoria Island and then went on to St. Gregory's college Ikoyi. Sunday was with us even in Lagos and he later left and we never heard from him.

Unfortunately my father died in December 1975 and we then moved to live with an Uncle in Jos where I attended St. John's College. In 1979 after my WAEC exams with my eyes on further education I came to England and ended staying. My Uncle worked for the water board in Jos and I frequently went to the Hill Station Hotel.

I watch the news abut Nigeria very closely and now with MBI television available here I can re live some of my excellent memories of Nigeria.

Despite Its go-slow I loved Lagos. Weather wise Jos was probably the best with a very pleasant climate. Nigeria is a rich nation -rich in culture, rich in diversity, rich in the love of people and rich in arts it is the shinning star of Africa.

I would love to get in touch with anyone who may be from one these schools or have lived in one of the areas I mentioned.

God Bless Nigeria.

Sajid

Submitted by Fiona from Aotearoa/New Zealand on February 7, 2002

Remain Blessed

I was privileged to visit Abuja for ten days in October, 2002. All the advance information I was able to get indicated that I would be entering a world far removed from the comfort and safety of New Zealand. I read that I would need a wedge of wood to jam under my door at night. I read that a mosquito net was vital and that hotels that claim to have air-conditioning are masquerading. I read warnings about food, disease, civil unrest, sharia.. you name it, I heard it. I didn't take a camera with me because I thought that might be asking for trouble but I went anyway, and I am glad I did.

I was attending the Second Pan African Reading Conference and it was a pleasure to be with my African colleagues as we focused on Literacy for All. As a woman traveling on my home great hospitality was extended to me by other delegates. I enjoyed fine local cuisine at a variety of small restaurants, akin to some I had eaten at in Baton Rogue. My accommodation at the Tamara Guest House in Abuja suited my modest tastes. It was secure, cool, and cheap. I liked the cold marble floor and the staff.

I had little time for touring the city and I wish I'd had more time and money for the markets: the textiles, fabrics, clothing, the shoes, the jewelry... a feast for the eyes! Everywhere I went I was greeted with, "You are welcome." Courtesy and grace was evident everywhere, along with the entrepreneurial efforts of everyone in the city from the guys who could pump your tyres full of air for 10 naira, to those who peeled and sold oranges... I learnt about patience and waiting and the waiting was never a problem anyway because I never tired of admiring the regal movements and posture of the beautiful people who passed by. Conversation and laughter were easy and it was easy too to let the eyes water with a story of hardship and loss, courage or fortitude.

CNN filled the background of my visit with American concerns and as we talked in real time we began to discover there is much for us to learn and share about each other, peoples on opposite sides of the globe, and that it is our responsibility to step outside mainstream media representations given about us, and to confer with each, build our own lines of communication and by our actions dispel the myths.

I saw great wealth, beyond anything I see in New Zealand. I saw poverty beyond what is known here. And I also realised I was spending time without hearing swearing, without seeing the dowdiness of dress and body language, without coffee!

It took me a week to ponder on my return home and then I started using the computer as a tool: a tool to make a contribution to the world, rather than my personal toy. You can read about that on www.theglobalbridge.com/bookswithoutborders I was only in Abuja. I was only there eight days. It is my dream to return. I encourage others to travel with a purpose and enjoy the riches that cannot be measured in financial terms.

Submitted by JLIO from Ohio (USA) on March 2, 2002

Just back from Nigeria

I recently traveled to Nigeria...all the way from Ohio. I went to marry my fiance'...we had a wonderful time. Everyone was so pleasant and I enjoyed the atmosphere and the wonderful food. We had a couple of power outages but luckily the place we stayed had a generator.

The traffic was an amazement to me...wow...everyone just drives everywhere...it is wild! I seen goats walking around in the city...and a lot of very poor conditions. I was also very amazed at how you have to pay for EVERYTHING...even to sit at the beach. It is definitely altogether different...but I loved every minute of it...I felt so at home.

I must say that I wasn't there to sight see though...I was there to marry the most wonderful man on earth...Nigeria felt like home because it is his home...and now our home. I can't wait to go back with him again.

I also want to mention that Nigerians are the most beautifully dressed of all the Africans..and of any other people in the world. My husband loaded me down with so many natives...and I received so many compliments from all of the Nigerian people that we came in contact with....and from people here in Ohio...I have never looked and felt so radiant....being so in love had a whole lot to do with it though...and Nigerians are "all that" when it comes to sharp attire.

I must say that although I had a wonderful experience that I wouldn't advise people to go their on a holiday if they had no one in the country to guide them through Nigeria's way of life.

JLIO

Submitted by Immanuel Joy from India on June 11, 2002

My little memories about Kano, The City of Wonders.

I was a little kid when i came to Nigeria. My father was from India and he came over there for teaching. He was a professor in Zoology. Since I was hardly 3 or 4, most of my memories are vague, but colorful nevertheless. We were staying at Kano, where my fathers house quarters was situated. His school was nearby. Still I remember there was a mosque on the back side nearby ,since i remember everyday hearing loud Allahu... akbar allah....prayers.

There was a village in our vicinity to the left of our house. I remember people using a thing called 'kalabash' and people eating something called 'zuya'(fried meat) with hot bread.

The place where very fascinating and now i was just going through your site to know more about the beautiful city of Kano. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of our house at Kano or anything. I wish to come back to Kano one day to see the place where I spent my childhood. If anyone can send me the photos of Kano, I will be very thankful. There was a school far in front of our house. Since my hair was long and straight kids used to buy it for some kobo's or naira's (As at that time coin's used to be those) and they used to keep my hair in their books.

Unfortunately since my father's contract was over, we had to come back to India and we never returned. My fathers name was Mr. Joy Joseph and he was from Kerala. There were a lot of lectures from India at that time. My father worked there from 1980 to 1984. These where the 4 beautiful years I have ever experienced. If anyone can resurrect the picture of the place from this letter please let me know. My address is emmanueljoy@hotmail.com

Thank you, long live Nigeria.

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