I know my Naija : Nigeria and her symbols

Nigeria is a federal republic country located on the west of Africa. She is usually refer to as giant of Africa as she is great in people(180m), resources and economy. She was a colony of Britain and got her independence in 1st Oct., 1960, her republic in 1st Oct., 1963.
      Nigeria from her time of independence experience two forms of governance, civilian and military government. She is currently under a civilian rule, practising democracy under presidential system of government. Her highest political office is the presidency. She is divided into 36 states governed by governors. The state are further divided into local governments governed by chairmen. Her capital is Abuja. Nigeria is divided into 6 goepolitical zones, she choose her political leaders by election.
   Nigeria is a multilingual country with over 500 ethnic groups with their own languages. The major languages are Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa but official language is English language. Nigeria is a secular country but she has two major religion, Christianity and Islam. Her cars are driven on the left side. Her calling code is +234. Her ISO 3166 code is NG. Internet TLD .ng.

HER SYMBOLS
She has a number of symbols, they are peculiar to her alone.
1. FLAG.
Nigeria flag is a horizontal bicolor, it has green on the two sides and white in the middle. The green stands for agriculture, the white stands for peace.
It was designed in 1959 by Michael Taiwo Akinkumi and hoisted officially in 1960.

2. EMBLEM: COAT OF ARMS

This is another symbols of Nigeria. It is a symbol of national unity, state power and authority. Nigeria coat of arms has seven features
I. A blackshied: This represent the fertile soil of the nation
II. Two white wavy band, which form the Y letter: This represent the two main rivers in Nigeria.
III. Two horse: This for dignity
IV. Coctus spectablis, the flower at the base. It is found across the nation. It stand for the beauty of the nation.
V. An eagle : it stands for strength
VI. The wreath, with green and white band stands for the agricultural potential of the nation.
VII. The national motto on the band around the base of the shield. 'Unity and faith, peace and progress ' this was adopted in 1978. Before this time, the country motto was, 'Peace, unity and freedom'
It was design by a Bahamian artist and Rev. Dr. Bian Jr. It was officially adopted in 1975

3. NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PLEDGE.
After independence, Nigeria adopted 'Nigeria we hail thee' composed by Lilian Jean William in place of  'God save the queen' which was the patriotic song as a colony of Britain.
The song below,

We Hail Thee (1960 -1978)
Nigeria we hail thee,;
Our own dear native land,
Though tribes and tongues may differ,
In brotherhood we stand,
Nigerians all are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour'd,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.

In 1978, Nigeria adopted a new national a them, 'Arise o compatriots'. The lyrics of the new anthem was from the entries of five contestants.
John A. Ihechukwu,Eme Etim Akpan, Sota Omoigui, B.A Ogunnaike and P.O. Aderibigbe. The lyrics was coined into music and stanza under the directorship of Pa Benedict Odiase. It is in two stanzas.

1. Arise, O compatriots
Nigeria's call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom
Peace and unity.

2. Oh God of creation
Direct our noble cause
And guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace
And justice shall reign

PLEDGE
The recitation of the national pledge usually comes after the anthem. It was composed by Prof. Felicial Adebola Adedoyin. It was adopted in 1976 with a decree that all students should recite it on the assembly every school days.

I pledge to Nigeria, my country.
To be faithful, loyal and honest.
To serve Nigeria with all my strength.
To defend her unity
And uphold her honour and glory
So help me God.

5. CURRENCY: NAIRA
Nigeria currency is Naira. It has different denominations ranging from 5naira to 1000naira note.

Other symbol
6. National animal: eagle
7. National bird: Black crowned crane
8.Flower: Coctus spectablis. This flower is found across Nigeria.

Nigeria is beautiful, God bless Nigeria.

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