NIGERIA

GEOGRAPHY

The name Nigeria was given by Mrs. Flora Shawn (Lord Luggard’s) wife is 1898.

Population is Over 140 million people. Over 250 tribes and ethnic groups.

Nigeria officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. The three largest and most influential ethnic groups in Nigeria are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.

COAT OF ARMS

The Coat of Arms of Nigeria has a black shield with two wavy silver bands that come together, like the letter Y. These represent the two main rivers flowing through Nigeria: the Benue River and the Niger River, Nigeria's main inland waterways, which form a confluence at Lokoja. The shield represents Nigeria"s fertile soil, while the two horses or chargers on each side represent dignity. The eagle represents strength, while the green and white bands on the top of the shield represent the rich agricultural land of the inspiring country. The yellow flowers at the base (incorrectly shown as red in the image) are Costus Spectabilis, Nigeria's national flower. This flower was chosen for inclusion in the coat of arms as it is found all over Nigeria. On the band around the base is Nigeria's national motto since 1978, "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress", formerly "Peace, Unity, Freedom".