Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria . The name Nigeria was derived from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British journalist Flora Shaw , who later married Baron Frederick Lugard , a British colonial administrator. Nigeria is composed of various ethnic groups and cultures and the term Nigerian refers to a citizenship -based civic nationality . Nigerians are derived from over 250 ethno-linguistic groups. Though there are multiple ethnic groups in Nigeria , economic factors result in significant mobility of Nigerians of multiple ethnic and religious backgrounds to reside in territories in Nigeria that are outside their ethnic or religious background, resulting in the mixing of the various ethnic and religious groups, especially in Nigeria's cities. The English language is the lingua franca of Nigerians. Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Muslims , who live mostly in the north, and Christians , who live mostly in the south; indigenous religions , such as those native to the Igbo and Yoruba ethnicities, are in the minority.
33-525: Hadiza Bala Usman (born 2 January 1976) is a Nigerian politician who served as managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority from 2016 to 2021. She previously served as the chief of staff to the governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2016. She was appointed special adviser on policy coordination to President Bola Tinubu in June 2023 together with Hannatu Musawa . Since 2014, she
66-530: A colonial creation by the British Empire . There have been several major historical kingdoms and states in Nigeria that have influenced Nigerian society through their kings and their legal and taxation systems, and the use of religion to legitimize the power of the king and to unite the people. Northern Nigeria has been culturally influenced by Islam, including several major historic Islamic states in
99-568: A monorail to provide mass transportation within the city of Port Harcourt. Some power plant projects (Afam, Trans Amadi , Onne ) were also built to improve power supply in the State. He was re-elected for a second term on 26 April 2011. In August 2013, Amaechi was amongst seven serving governors who formed the G-7 faction within the PDP. In November 2013, Amaechi alongside five members of the G-7 defected to
132-451: A village chief or head. In the large cities of Nigeria, there is a substantial intermingling of Nigerians with foreigners, especially Europeans, Lebanese , and Indians . The economic importance of Nigeria's cities has resulted in migrations of people from their traditional ethnic or cultural homeland to cities outside those territories. Igbo, Hausa-Fulani and Ibibio people have commonly migrated to Lagos and many southerners migrate to
165-918: Is one of the co-founders of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, and is also a founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress . Hadiza Bala Usman was born on 2 January 1976 in Zaria to a Fulani ruling class family of the Sullubawa clan. Her father, Yusufu Bala Usman , the grandson of Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Katsina Dikko , was a prominent academic and historian who founded the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training in Zaria. Her great grandfather, Abdullahi Bayero (father to her paternal grandmother),
198-643: The 2023 presidential election . Her book, Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at Nigerian Ports Authority, was published by TheCable Books in April 2023. In June 2023, she was appointed Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination by Bola Ahmed Tinubu . Hadiza Bala Usman was married to an economic analyst Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi who served under the former (Late) President Umaru Musa Yar'adua as economic adviser and together they have two boys. She has been recognized in various ways for her achievements both in
231-626: The Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping by Boko Haram , Hadiza Bala co-founded the Bring Back Our Girls campaign group to create awareness and advocate the rescue of the abducted schoolgirls. She chose the colour red for the campaign because it is a sign of "alarm, danger, a warning." Hadiza Bala Usman also helped coordinate meetings with the parents of the kidnapped girls and members of the Nigerian government. She has continued to protest with
264-539: The Muslim north and the Christian south has politicised religion and caused significant political disputes in Nigeria. Ethnic-motivated and religious-motivated violence by extremists has increased these tensions as well. However, despite instances of extremism, most Nigerians continue to peacefully coexist, and a common Nigerian identity has been fostered amongst the more educated and affluent Nigerians as well as with
297-889: The Third Nigerian Republic , Amaechi was secretary of the National Republican Convention in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Between 1992 and 1994, he was special assistant to the deputy governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili , his boss believed in Amaechi as a young man with potential in politics and brought him under his wing. In 1996, he was the Rivers State's secretary of the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) caretaker committee during
330-523: The APC presidential primaries held in June 2022 behind eventual president Bola Tinubu with 316 delegate votes against Tinubu's 1271 votes. Amaechi was born in Ubima Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State to the family of the late Elder Fidelis Amaechi and Mary Amaechi. His first and last names are Igbo meaning “God is strength or power” and “who knows tomorrow” respectively. He
363-419: The Nigerian people. Nigeria's political figures are commonly known as multiple indigenous languages outside their own indigenous language. [REDACTED] Media related to People of Nigeria at Wikimedia Commons Rotimi Amaechi Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi CON (born 27 May 1965) is a Nigerian politician , who served as the federal minister of transportation of Nigeria from 2015 to 2022 under
SECTION 10
#1732783398847396-496: The Senate. Since leaving office in 2015, Amaechi has been the subject of corruption allegations by his successor Nyesom Wike . Wike accused him of using state funds to finance President Muhammadu Buhari 's campaign during the 2015 presidential election through the sale of Rivers state-owned oil and gas assets, and fraudulently misappropriating the proceeds of the sale amounting to US$ 309 million. Amaechi has persistently denied
429-514: The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari . He resigned to contest for Nigeria's presidency under the governing All Progressive Congress (APC). He had previously served as governor of oil-rich Rivers State , from 2007 to 2015 and earlier, as speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007. On 9 April 2022, Amaechi declared interest to contest in the presidential election in 2023. He polled second position in
462-746: The allegations against him. In 2018, he acknowledged that despite Buhari's anti-corruption war corruption still exists within the administration. In May 2022, the Supreme Court of Nigeria granted the Rivers State panel of enquiry to probe Amaechi over an alleged ₦96 billion fraud. He is married to Judith Amaechi and they have three boys. He is a Catholic and a Knight of the order of Saint John (KSJ). On 27 May 2021, Amaechi released his debut single titled 'Blessed The People The Lord Has Chosen As His Heritage' in collaboration with his wife, Judith in commemoration of his 56th birthday. On 19 November 2022, Amaechi announced on his Twitter handle that he
495-639: The group into 2016. In 2015, following his election Governor Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai appointed her as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kaduna State , thus becoming the first female to hold that position. She was appointed as the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in July 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari . Her appointment generated a lot of controversies as many saw her nomination as ethnically based and questioned her qualification for
528-518: The image of the state governor, in an effort to succeed Odili as governor in 2007. In 2007, Amaechi contested and won the People's Democratic Party (PDP) primary for Rivers State Governor in 2007. His name was substituted by the party, an action which he challenged in court. The case eventually got to the Supreme Court. He became governor on 26 October 2007, after the Supreme Court ruled that he
561-494: The legislative functions of the State House of Assembly as enshrined in the constitution, he and his colleagues took the matter to the Supreme Court . As speaker, Amaechi used his close working relationship with Governor Peter Odili to increase the harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State, until he launched a campaign against the state government, and verbally attacked
594-531: The many Nigerians who leave small homogeneous ethnic communities to seek economic opportunities in the cities where the population is ethnically mixed. Although there are cultural divisions amongst Nigerians, the English language is commonly used as their primary language. Also, most Nigerians share a strong commitment to individual liberties and democracy. Even during periods of military rule, such military governments were pressured to maintain democratic stances by
627-525: The maritime sector as Queen of the Maritime and Nigeria 's public service among Under 50 Leaders in Public Service in 2021 when she received the outstanding female executive in public service (Maritime) award alongside other prominent women in public service. Nigerians Nigerians come from multiple ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds as the founding of Nigeria was the outcome of
660-486: The new opposition party the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he became the director general of Muhammadu Buhari's presidential campaign. In 2015, following Buhari's election, Amaechi was appointed to his cabinet as federal minister of transportation. In July 2019, he was re-nominated for ministerial appointment by President Buhari. Amaechi was asked to take a bow and go during his screening by
693-568: The north to trade or work while a number of northern seasonal workers and small-scale entrepreneurs go to the south. There are two main religions in Nigeria, which are Christianity and Islam, they have both made significant impact on the making of African societies, and played significant roles in such a multi-religious country like Nigeria. There are also other religions practised in Nigeria. Ethnic, religious, and regional disputes and tensions have commonly divided Nigerians on political issues. In particular, cultural and political divisions between
SECTION 20
#1732783398847726-665: The region. The Songhai Empire , Kanem-Bornu Empire and the Sokoto Caliphate were major historical Islamic states in northern Nigeria. Southern Nigeria historically held several powerful states, including the Benin Empire and Oyo Empire , and Aro Confederacy . Nigerian culture was profoundly affected by the British colonial rule . Such as British colonial authority's denouncement and attacks upon polygamy , trial by ordeal, and certain types of sacrifices. At
759-588: The same time, British colonial authorities maintained and promoted traditional Nigerian culture that strengthened colonial administration. The British spread Christianity throughout southern Nigeria and Christian missionaries assisted British authorities in establishing a Western -style education system in Nigeria that resulted in the teaching of English language in Nigeria and its subsequent adoption as Nigeria's main language. The British replaced unpaid household labor with wage labour . Prior to colonisation in
792-489: The second type used amongst the Hausa-Fulani , Yoruba , and Kanuri involves nuclei of compounds. These villages compose members of the ethnicity-related through ancestry as well as strangers who have been assimilated into the ethnicity. Since the time prior to colonisation to the present it has been a common practice of Nigeria's tribes to adopt strangers into the tribes. A male elder in the community commonly serves as
825-607: The specific role. In May 6, 2021, President Muhammadu Buhari approved her suspension as the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) . Hadiza, who was recently re-appointed for second term, was suspended following a public spate with then transport minister Rotimi Amaechi . She was the Deputy Director-General Administration of the Tinubu/Shettima APC Presidential Campaign Council for
858-611: The transition programme of General Sani Abacha . In 1999, he contested and won a seat to become a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly to represent his constituency. He was subsequently elected speaker of the House of Assembly . Amaechi was elected chairman of Nigeria's Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies. In May 2003, he was re-elected speaker. In 2003, when the National Assembly moved to hijack
891-481: The twentieth century, Nigeria's tribes usually possessed the land as a community, such that land could not be bought or sold. Colonisation brought the notion of individuals owning land and the commercialisation of land began. In Nigeria, more than fifty percent of Nigerians live in villages of two different types: the first type used by the Igbo , Ibibio and Tiv involves a collection of dispersed compounds while
924-577: The university and received a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2000. She later received a master's degree in development studies from the University of Leeds in 2009. In 1999, she spent a year at the Centre for Democratic Development and Research Training in Zaria as a research assistant. She then worked at the Bureau of Public Enterprises from July 2000 to August 2004 as an enterprise officer. From October 2004 to January 2008, she
957-604: Was raised in Diobu , a densely populated neighbourhood in Port Harcourt . Amaechi had his primary education at St. Theresa's Primary School from 1970 to 1976. He later earned his West African Senior School Certificate in 1982 from Government Secondary School, Okolobiri. Amaechi received a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) in English Studies and Literature from the University of Port Harcourt in 1987, where he
990-679: Was the 10th Emir of Kano from 1926 to 1953, her paternal grand father was the Durbin Katsina, her grand uncle was Usman Nagogo the Emir of Katsina and her great grand father was Sarkin Katsina Muhammadu Dikko (father to her paternal grandfather). Hadiza grew up on the campus of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where her father worked. She started her education at the university staff primary school and went ahead to complete her secondary education. In 1996, she enrolled at
1023-470: Was the president of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS). He completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1988, and thereafter joined Pamo Clinics and Hospitals Limited owned by Peter Odili , where he worked until 1992. He was also a director of several companies, including West Africa Glass Industry Limited and Risonpalm Nigeria Limited. During the transition to
Hadiza Bala Usman - Misplaced Pages Continue
1056-399: Was the rightful candidate of the PDP and winner of the April 2007 governorship election in Rivers State. His administration invested in infrastructure development, construction of roads and bridges, sticking to the vision of connecting all parts of the state by road. The governor was also committed to urban renewal and modernization of transportation services. His administration began building
1089-793: Was then hired by the UNDP for the Federal Capital Territory Administration as a special assistant to the Minister on project implementation. In 2011 , Hadiza campaigned and lost for the federal constituency of Musawa / Matazu as a candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change . She then joined the Good Governance Group in Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, as the country director of strategy from 2011 to July 2015. In 2014, following
#846153