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.
40-446: Ibrahim Saminu Turaki (born 14 July 1963) is a Nigerian actuary and politician who served as the governor of Jigawa State from 1999 to 2007. Prior to that, he was the Jigawa state chairman of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). He was the senator representing Jigawa North-West senatorial district from 2007 to 2011. Ibrahim Saminu Turaki
80-509: 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 the twentieth century, Nigeria's tribes usually possessed the land as a community, such that land could not be bought or sold. Colonisation brought
120-519: A broad range of multimedia services incorporating video, audio and data to every organization. It was also meant to facilitate the business of government, education, commerce, training and health systems of the state. Turaki founded the Galaxy Information Technology and Telecommunication (GITT) in the year 2000, barely a year into his first term as governor. GalaxyITT became the first broadband satellite network in Nigeria. This made Jigawa
160-438: A company in which Turaki had an interest, free land in exchange for building 86 housing units to accommodate visiting foreign dignitaries. In November 2008, Turaki was involved in a dispute over contract terms for sale of these units. Taking cognizance of the importance of electricity in the success of any form of development, Turaki established various solar powered power plants of up to 7.5 MW at various local government areas at
200-446: A proven record of fostering investments into Africa. She served as the first Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa in the administrations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. While serving as a Senior Trade Advisor to US Congressman Charlie Rangel (Former Chairman of the powerful House Ways & Means Committee), Rosa was one of the key architects that crafted the historic African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which
240-494: A time most state governments and indeed the Federal Government has not even mulled the idea investing in renewable energy sources. This prompted CNN to feature Jigawa State in its programme Global Challenges acknowledging the governor's developmental strides and the effects on the lives of the Jigawa citizens. The short documentary was aired on 25 November 2006 and earned Turaki accolades from his peers in Nigeria and around
280-665: A variety of publications including the Wall Street Journal, The Hill, Inside U.S. Trade, The Africa Report and U.S. News & World Report. She is an expert on business, trade and investment in Africa in a variety of venues and has been a guest on broadcasts on ABC News, CNN, the BBC and Bloomberg. She currently serves as a director on the US Chamber of Commerce’s Board. Until March 2021, she served as President of Mercy Ships International,
320-629: The 2003 Jigawa State gubernatorial election on the platform of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP). In December 2006, he transferred his allegiance to the People's Democratic Party (PDP). Turaki joined Nigeria's ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2015, reuniting with his former ally and the current governor of Jigawa, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar Turaki championed
360-651: 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 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
400-530: 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
440-723: The United States , replacing imports from the Sudan . An article in the Los Angeles Times on 2 March 2004 described an arrangement with Rosa Whitaker , a US Trade Representative for Africa, with whom he formed a Trade and Investment Foundation for Africa to attract Foreign Direct Investment for gum arabic production. In 2004, the Niger Republic , which was due to host a summit of francophone countries in Niamey gave Wallong Camco Nigeria,
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#1732859427359480-461: 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 Rosa Whitaker Rosa Whitaker Duncan-Williams, President & CEO of The Whitaker Group (TWG), is a former US government policy leader, career diplomat, and trade negotiator with
520-526: The bipartisan advocacy group, AGOA Action Coalition, with the late Hon. Jack Kemp. Whitaker launched The Whitaker Group after leaving USTR in 2003. The Whitaker Group, based in Northern Va. and Accra, Ghana, advises clients on transactions and strategy for trade, investment, and project development across Africa. Founded in 2003, TWG has long emerged as the partner of choice for Fortune 500 companies interested in both commercial and human development dividends on
560-499: The case to court. In 2000, Turaki decentralized the Jigawa state government, allocating many aspects to the five Emirate councils of Hadejia, Dutse, Gumel, Ringim and Kazaure. A 2006 report said he was involved in acquiring companies in Nigeria's insurance industry for president Olusegun Obasanjo . In July 2007, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Turaki over allegations of corruption and money laundering. He
600-587: The charges. On Thursday, 13 October 2022, a Federal High Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa State discharged and acquitted Turaki of the N8.3 billion corruption charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The presiding judge, Justice Hassan Dikko, who delivered the ruling, struck out all charges and discharged all the accused persons for want of diligent prosecution. The court further ordered that
640-458: The continent. After decades of supporting US and global investors to succeed in Africa, Rosa in 2017, led TWG into its first direct investment in Africa. Supporting the region’s creative economy, in 2017, TWG acquired shares and management control of Dominion TV – a Pan-African 24/7 television, entertainment and multimedia company that broadcast in 48 African countries on DStv, Africa’s largest satellite platform. Whitaker
680-575: The development of ICT stressing the importance in nation building and that was largely one of his priorities as a governor. He established what was known as the biggest biotechnology centers in Nigeria then in Kazaure, a town situated outside the state capital, Dutse . Some of these attracted the number one British developmental agency, DFID to co-fund the Jigawa State microcredit scheme to provide funding for small scale businesses. The DFID also partnered with
720-406: The emerging e-government sector or part of an entrepreneurial community setting up small ICT businesses in Jigawa. State as well as other parts of the country. Turaki had pursued ICT with unique commitment by investing billions of Naira on his pronounced dream to convert Jigawa State into the number one ICT state in Nigeria. He was however criticized in that his administration pursuit of this ICT dream
760-622: The establishment of the Jigawa State Justice Sector and Law Reform Commission through a law enacted in 2006 and which qualifies as the first successful and currently the most advanced justice sector reform and coordination mechanism in the country. Turaki also pioneered the formal recognition and reform of the vigilante system in the state through the enactment of the Jigawa State Vigilante Group Law No. 5 of 2005 that enabled government support and regulate and also
800-746: 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 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
840-563: The first housing mortgage by any state of the federation with the establishment of Jigawa Savings and Loans bank to cover mortgage for intending house owners thereby drastically tackling the problem of housing in the state. Some of these laudable feats earned the state the label "Jigawa, a State of Firsts". In his quest for the development of Jigawa State, Turaki declared that security, safety and justice are interrelated and should be taken seriously as important prerequisites for economic wellbeing of its residents. He quickly practicalised his idea by
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#1732859427359880-683: The first state in Nigeria to commence interactive distance learning program and video conferencing through GITT. He established the Jigawa Informatics Institute (JII) in 2001 and in less than eight years of its establishment, the Institute proved that its introduction in the heyday of the ICT dream is the wisest and critical aspect of the much touted ICT revolution initiated by his administration. Since its establishment in 2001, about 7,000 students have graduated and many of them are today either part of
920-526: 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
960-568: 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
1000-513: 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 the second type used amongst the Hausa-Fulani , Yoruba , and Kanuri involves nuclei of compounds. These villages compose members of
1040-472: The police supervision of the nearly 20,000-strong Jigawa Vigilante Group. In September 2006, Turaki was attacked by angry crowds when he tried to calm down a mob that burned churches and shops belonging to Christians after an alleged blasphemous statement by a Christian woman about the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. Turaki established the Jigawa State contributory pension scheme in 2001 and received legal backing from
1080-781: The state employees to contribute into their retirement future. The scheme mandates the state government to contribute 17 per cent of an employee's basic salary into the employee's retirement savings account, RSA, while employees contribute 8 per cent of their basic salary. In April 2007, he ran for the Senate as a member of the PDP and was elected for the Jigawa North West constituency. He was appointed to committees on Upstream Petroleum Resources, Sports, Navy, National Planning and National Identity Card & Population. A May 2009 report said he had not originated any bills, but had co-sponsored six motions. He
1120-416: The state legislature in 2004. Prior to the establishment of the scheme, Jigawa State workers were going through pains and finding it difficult to access their entitlements. The contributions by both employees and the state have a gestation period of five years before employees could draw benefits. The contributory pension scheme in Jigawa State was the first of its kind in Nigeria and provided an opportunity for
1160-568: The then state government to sponsor its student for extensive education on informatics abroad, mostly in Japan . He initiated the Jigawa State Broadband Network Project because of his government's desire for rapid socio-economic growth of the young state and global competitiveness in the areas of acquisition, absorption and application of Information Technology. The project is a satellite-based communication facility for delivery of
1200-501: The time the order was granted four years ago, since he had attended well publicized official, social and business functions around Nigeria and beyond. Upon this premise, Turaki was detained by the EFCC for about 14 days without any charge. This prompted the former governor to institute a fundamental human right suit against the anti-graft agency. He prayed the court to commit the head of the agency to prison for denying him his freedom even after he
1240-500: The travel documents of Senator Turaki be released to him with immediate effect. Nigerian Nigerians come from multiple ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds as the founding of Nigeria was the outcome of 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
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1280-464: 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 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
1320-482: The world. Jigawa state pioneered the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) to ensure compulsory basic education for pupils and students in the state which was later adopted by the then federal government. The state became the first to introduce the contributory pensions scheme in 2001, long before Lagos State in 2004 and subsequently the federal government in 2006. During this same era, Jigawa State introduced
1360-632: Was active in the Sports Committee where he was vice chairman. Turaki wanted to run for reelection in April 2011, but the PDP favored Danladi Abdullahi Sankara , PDP vice chairman in charge of the Northwest as their candidate. Turaki therefore defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria . In the April 2011 elections, Danladi was the winner. Turaki declared that there had been vote-rigging and he intended to take
1400-767: Was born in Washington, D.C., and holds Master's and bachelor's degrees from American University in Washington, D.C., and studied in the United Kingdom and Italy as well at the Foreign Service Institute . Whitaker appears frequently on the public speaking circuit and has lectured at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Defense University . She is a guest columnist for AllAfrica.com, and has had opinion pieces published in
1440-731: Was born on 14 July 1963. He attended the Federal Government College Kaduna and the Ahmadu Bello University where he obtained a bachelor's degree in actuarial science in 1985. He is currently the PDP Candidate for the Jigawa North-West Senatorial District for the 2023 general elections. He was governor of Jigawa State in Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007. He was elected in the 1999 Jigawa State gubernatorial election and re-elected during
1480-528: Was enacted in 2000. AGOA, America’s first comprehensive trade law towards Africa, now spanning the administrations of four US Presidents, remains the cornerstone of US economic policy towards Africa. It has delivered, inter-alia, billions of dollars in duty free products from Africa into the US market annually while also generating jobs and investments across the Continent. Whitaker also co-founded and co-chaired
1520-402: Was granted bail by the law court. Turaki was released on bail on 27 July with the commencement of his trial slated for 19 September 2017. The case borders mostly on concealment of the actual nature and use of some certain funds during his period as governor. Turaki denied any wrongdoing and has maintained that the case instituted against him was politically motivated. He pleaded not guilty to all
1560-594: Was greatly misplaced. His critics believe that the investment is not worthwhile considering the poor state of infrastructure in the state. They claim the investment should be diverted to other sectors like agriculture and health. In 2000, Turaki established a free trade zone in Jigawa (the first to be achieved by any state in the country at the time), to facilitate doing business and to attract prospective investors both foreign and local. In June 2003, Turaki said Jigawa had entered into agreements with American companies to start processing and exporting high-grade gum arabic to
1600-407: Was released on bail with stringent conditions. On 4 July 2017, Turaki was re-arrested by the EFCC while at a public function in Nigeria's capital, Abuja , riding on a 2013 court document ordering his arrest for evading court summons. Turaki denied ever evading trial and accused the anti-graft agency of misleading the judge in granting such order. He also denied being on the run or evading arrest from
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