BBC Timeline

This is a well done timeline by the bbc. It starts all the way from 600 bc. to present day Nigeria. It covers many important dates like wars, civil wars, social unrest and its independence from great Britain. BBC Timeline I All ways thought it was very helpful to be able to view something on a timeline inn order to put things into perspective.

The Statistician-General, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Dr. Yemi Kale, put the current unemployment rate in Nigeria at 23.9 %. Dr. Kale states that he disbelieves the idea that the recent economic growth has done nothing to decrease the level of unemployment. He instead identifies the low budgets for gathering accurate new statistics as a portion of the inconstancy between raising economy and unchanging unemployment.

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Ministry of Health Prioritizes Polio Removal

The Ministy of Health's Director of Public Health, Dr. Bridget Okoeguale, announced that the ministry’s priority would be the complete eradication of polio in the country. The reports show that treated people are being paralyzed have lower chances of being paralyzed. The number of fully immunized children in 2011 was 53% and has likely risen since then due to Immunization Plus Days (IPDs)

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Steady Progress

Nigeria has been identified as being one of the most corrupt nations in the world and it is working on fixing that image by cracking down on corrupt officials. The former governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was linked to fraudulent financial transactions.

Here's the link:

Look at all the lonely people

Like many post colonial nations, Nigeria has faced many problems industrializing and building a secure infrastrutture. As a result, it is home to one of, arguably, one of the worst places to live: Lagos. Home to almost 18 million people, this city struggles with: over population, lack of proper transportation, space, sanitation, and traffic. And because of the pace that it is growing, it is very difficult to solve these problems as they are constantly changing. Lagos is a macrocosm of issues that plague many other cities and towns of Nigeria, and because of all of these issues; it makes it difficult to solve the countless other issues that Nigeria is wrestling with.  

Nigeria's Culture

The name Nigeria was suggested by British journalist Flora Shaw in the 1890s. She referred to the area as Nigeria, after the Niger River, which dominates much of the country's landscape. The word niger is Latin for black.

More than 250 ethnic tribes call present-day Nigeria home. The three largest and most dominant ethnic groups are the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo (pronounced ee-bo). Other smaller groups include the Fulani, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv, and Edo. Prior to their conquest by Europeans, these ethnic groups had separate and independent histories. Their grouping together into a single entity known as Nigeria was a construct of their British colonizers. These various ethnic groups never considered themselves part of the same culture. This general lack of Nigerian nationalism coupled with an ever-changing and often ethnically biased national leadership, have led to severe internal ethnic conflicts and a civil war. Today bloody confrontations between or among members of different ethnic groups continue.

Read more: http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/Nigeria.html#ixzz2SZ7kbWRC

Let Them Eat Cake!

It's no secret that the vast majority of Nigeria's population is seeded in deep poverty, a complex issue that unfortunately has no magic solution. With this in mind there is a slim portion of the population who actually possesses wealth and, as shown throughout history, this minority is in control of the vast majority of the power. Incidentally, corruption is also another major concern in Nigeria. As illustrated in this cartoon, it is often easy for the government to "solve" problems, but only have those solutions reach a small minority. As the title implies, this cartoon reminded me of what Marie Antoinette allegedly said when informed that the people had to bread. The people don't have adequate roads? Let them fly jets!

Parker

Clashes in economics as well!

Nigerias Country Profile

The CIA World Factbook

Nigeria’s northern insurgency

http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21576687-rate-killing-has-surged-can-presidential-committee-slow-it-down-ever?zid=309&ah=80dcf288b8561b012f603b9fd9577f0e

Nigeria’s northern insurgency

Ever bloodier

Nigeria's largest city: Lagos

Debt Sustainability

The Debt Management Office (DMO) has been working since 2000 to manage Nigeria's debt crisis. This is leading to a slow raise in the nation's economy. This also improves Nigeria's image in the eyes of other countries.

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Nigeria Wins in South Africa!!!

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/nigeria-climb-up-to-30th-spot-on-fifa-ranking/#!prettyPhoto

Electoral map of Nigeria during the 2011 election

Fixing the Un-Fixable

Among an array of other problems, one of Nigeria's biggest demons is the rampant corruption. In this interview with Nigeria's finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, she talks about the issue and her views on how to solve it. One of the primary solutions she put forth was by building electronic platforms for the money's, distancing officials from it and thus more transparency. In general, it is really nice to hear from a high ranking public official speak out against the corruption, and she gives valuable insight into many of Nigeria's biggest challenges.

Parker

http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/16/nigerias-uphill-battle-to-spread-the-countrys-wealth/?iref=allsearch

Nigerias Debt Grows

http://www.punchng.com/business/financial-punch/nigerias-external-debt-rose-to-6-53bn-in-2012/

Nigeria is borrowing a lot of money. The federal government has barrowed 850 mill with an increase of 15%  which to The US isnt a lot since we are in trillions of dollars of debt but for such a small country with a low GDP it is way too much. Do you think Nigeria will be able to pay off their debts?

We Didn't Start the Fire

During a violent confrontation between Islamist insurgents and the Nigerian military, a small northern fishing town was caught in the crossfire. Just one of many confrontations between the two groups over the four year uprising, the debacle draws attention to the chaotic and brutal nature of the conflict. Over 180 civilians were killed by both sides, and at some point the, the thatched roofs caught fire burning down over 2,000 homes. While the military points the the extremists as the cause of the fire, several residents reported seeing the security forces setting fire to houses; most likely in an effort to root out the militants. Living in the states makes it difficult for me to imagine living in a world where I have to live in fear of then military and those designated to protect me. Regardless of who shot who and who burned what, it's clear that this conflict is taking a toll on the Nigerian people; one that they cannot afford.

Parker

www.nytimes.com/2013/04/23/world/africa/in-nigeria-clash-with-militants-kills-scores.html?_r=0

A Cartoon about the problems facing current president Goodluck Jonathan

New Nigerian HIV/AIDS plan

President Goodluck Johnathan released the new Nigerian Government's plan for removing HIV/AIDS from Nigeria. The plan had been transferred over to National Action Committee on AIDS (NACA) with input from Dr Mark Dybul, the Executive Director of the United Nations’ Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Nigeria gained investments from the G-8 nations to help it implement the plans. NACA's plans include educating the country about HIV/AIDS, treating people who have been infected with it, and halting the further spread of HIV/AIDS.

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NACA
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