EXPRESS YOURSELF (QUESTION K)

If all of the world´s cultural heritage (sports, music, fashion, architecture, literature, painting, etc..) was contained in a time capsule, what would you include to demonstrate the legacy of

your country?

Comfort Benjamins

the nigerian legacy

Nigeria is my country and to demonstrate its legacy, I would like to add our historic natural heritage sites to the

time capsule.

Now before we jump into the sites, kindly spare me some few minutes so I can share with you some facts about my country….

FACTS ABOUT NIGERIA

• The name of the country comes from the name of the river Niger which flows through the country.

• Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the 8th most populous in the world with a population of more than 160 million people.

• Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups.

• Nigeria is a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

• 95% of the export income is obtained by the export of Petroleum Products.

• The country has one of the largest reserves of petroleum.

• Nollywood is the name given to the Nigerian movie industry and it has recently been ranked the second largest producers of movies in the world.

FACTS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT NIGERIA

• A study of more than 65 countries published in the UK’s New Scientist Magazine suggests that the Nigerian people are the happiest in the world.

• Nigeria is home to seven percent (7%) of the total languages spoken on earth. Taraba state alone has more languages than 30 African countries.

• The Walls of Benin (800-1400AD), in present day Edo State, are the longest ancient earthworks in the world, and probably the largest man-made structure on earth.

• Africa’s oldest known boat is The Dufuna canoe which was discovered in Dufuna village, Yobe state, by a Fulani Herdsman in May 1987, while he dug a well.

• The three small birds namely: Rock Firefinch, Jos Plateau Indigobird and the Ibadan Malimbe are found nowhere else on the planet but Nigeria.

• The Yoruba tribe has the highest rate of twin births in the world.

MORE FACTS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT NIGERIA

• The Anambra waxbill, a small bird of many beautiful colours, is found only in Southern Nigeria and nowhere else on earth.

• According to the World Resources Institute, Nigeria is home to 4,715 different types of plant species, and over 550 species of breeding birds and mammals, making it one of the most ecologically vibrant places of the planet.

• Nigeria has the largest diversity of butterflies in the world contained in the areas around Calabar.

• Sungbo’s Eredo, a 160 km rampart equipped with guard houses and moats, is reputed to be the largest single pre-colonial monument in Africa.

• NIgeria is one of the oldest locations of human existence. Archaeological evidence indicates that humans lived in Nigeria as far back as 9000 BC, making it one of the oldest spots of settlement.

THE NIGERIAN LEGACY

THE NIGERIAN HERITAGE

Nigeria is blessed with outstanding cultural, natural and significant heritage sites which exist nowhere else in the world and have become a great interest to visitors and Nigerians.

Let’s now explore eight of these picturesque places…

SUKUR CULTURAL LANDSCAPE, ADAMAWA STATE

This is one of the magnificent tourist destinations, populated by a rich avifauna, rare species and located on top of the highest plains on the Mandara Mountains in Madageli, Adamawa state.

OSUN-OSOGBO SACRED GROVE, OSUN STATE

This sacred forest is situated along the banks of the Oshun River, on the outskirts of the capital city of Osogbo, which is regarded as the home of the goddess of fertility – Osun. There are shrines, art works, sculptures and sanctuaries that dot the

river in honour of the goddess and other local deities. It is considered as the last of the Yoruba’s sacred forests that is still standing.Its yearly festival brings thousands of spectators, tourists and Osun worshippers from around the world.

OBAN HILLS, CROSS RIVER STATE

Oban Hills is a range of hills located within Cross Rive National Park and is a natural habitat for wildlife and plants of unknown species. This is one of few sites where the Xavier’s Green Bull can be found and unusual species such as the

Cassin’s Hawk eagle, Bat Hawk, Crested Guinea fowl, Lyre-tailed Honey guide and it houses over 400 Chimpanzees.

OKE-IDANRE HILL, ONDO STATE

Idanre Hills consists of spectacular valleys with a high plain and boasts of attributes such as the old court, Owa’s Palace, Agbooogun foot print, shrines, burial grounds and mounds and the Omi Aopara which is the thunder water. It is a tourist

attraction center that brings thousands of visitors all through the year.

OGBUNIKE CAVES, ANAMBRA STATE

This is one of the wonders of the Eastern Nigeria and discovered by a hunter called Ukwa. It is associated with spiritual and historical significance. The caves are accessed by descending 317 steps. Yearly, Ime Ogbe festival is celebrated in the

commemoration of the discovery of these caves.

ALOK IKOM MONOLITHS, CROSS RIVER STATE

Alok Ikom Monoliths has over 300 carved stones that are upright with heights that varies and grouped in circles, each facing one another. The texts and images inscribed on the monoliths believed to be writings from the prehistoric civilization.

The site is known as Akwasnski/ Atal among the people of Ejagham.

ANCIENT KANO CITY WALLS, KANO STATE

It was once regarded as West African’s most impressive monument, a 14km radius earth monument that is associated with the state’s historical, cultural and spiritual significance. It features the Emir’s Palace, Kurmi Market and the famous Dala Hills,

believed to be the first settlement in ancient city of Kano. The wall is an intriguing fact of Nigerian architects who had designed this wall to define defence, political space, management and security system.

GASHAKA-GUMPTI NATIONAL PARK, TARABA STATE

This park is the country’s most diverse and largest National Park that is situated with the Mountain of Death, Chappal Wadi and Mountain of Wind, Chappal Hendu.  There are lots of traditional lore that have served to protest West African’s huge number of primates and houses giant forest hogs, chimpanzees, leopard, lion, hippopotamus, yellow-backed duiker ,hartebeest and buffalo

and birds.

THE NIGERIAN HERITAGE

This is all we can take for now….

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION