₦airaland Forum

Nigeria's essence is its diversity, its desire for unity, its dynamism and fertility. which is one of the reasons i think more colors would represent diversity not just green and white. nigeria is very dynamic, and perhaps a sybol could be included to represent this dynamism, such as a rising sun or something. despite the ethnic issues in Nigeria, folks are striving for unity and the diversity of people, or sybolic colors, should be represented by a covergenc of these bands of colors.

These colors can hav 2 meanings, for instance the green can represent the fertility of the country and the people of that region, red cna represent blood shed as well as the red clay regions of the north, etc.

anyway sha, its just a thought. recently in NY the government wanted the statue in front of the consulate changed because they felt it didnt represent nigeria's essence as well. and it got me thinking

Chxta, that the flag was designed by a nigerian doesnt mean it doesnt reflect colonial impressions of the place. same thing with the previous flag of south africa, that reflected the aparthied thinking of the place. The new flag was a representation of all.

My point is I dont see the essence of nigeria reflected in the flag.

I explained the japanese flag (land of the rising sun) with the sun in the middle. The french flag represents the frenchr evolution , which goes to my central point that it was created byt he people, for the people and to represent them, unlike ours which was given to us by colonialists.

as for austria Together with the Danish flag, the Austrian flag is said to be among the oldest national flag designs in the world.

According to legend, the flag was invented by Duke Leopold V of Austria (1157-1194) while he was involved in a fierce battle during the Crusades. After the battle of Acre, his white battledress was completely drenched in blood, but when he removed his belt the cloth underneath was untouched by it. So taken was he by this singular sight that he adopted the colours and scheme as his banner.

In fact, the flag was designed in the 13th century by Duke Frederick II of Austria (1210-1246; known as 'Frederick the Quarrelsome'), the last of the Babenberg dynasty. Frederick sought greater independence from the Holy Roman Emperor. To this end, he had a new coat of arms designed: a red field with a silver fess. The oldest source for the new flag is contained in a seal kept in the monastery of Lilienfeld (Lower Austria), dated November 30, 1230.

My point is they come from within and country and unifies people in a sybol, and name, they created

what are you talking about?

They are here to stay (maybe) but they dont have to bind us. Despite the borders in the USA they are hardly barriers ot trade within the states. The US states at one point were like foreign countries. there were only 13 original colonies, then the rest came in

Yes the religious parties are strong, but its still a secular state. I dont know about the case you mentioned so i cant comment until i read the facts. it may be more than is on the surface

Kodewrita, israel is a secular state. Just because a lot of people there are jews doesnt make it a religious country. Singapore, indonesia, the US are affected by thier religious values, but they are not religous states. There is a big difference between them and say saudi arabia

chimanu2000 I want to go to the mambilla. I never knew it was coldest place in west africa though. Thanks for the info. Maybe i'll buy some land out there and get a house. Do you know if it snows?

6000 a year is hardly horrible rich. Besides, thats a good thing. It frees up classes in the federal schools which were meant for the poor anyway

Well not exactly. many african states are mere geographical expression and had strong relationship between themselves before colonialism. Its good to maintain those ties. merely focusing on only nigeria isnt good in the long term. The US has a free trade policy with the UK, and is part of NATO. in the west they think very broadly amongst themselves. I like Libya's african focus because really, most african states stand no real chance in the world unless they partner with themselves.

I think Nigeria should lead africa like Russia leads eurasia, i.e. by controlling the region, installing or favoring leaders favorable to its view and making the sorrounding countries dependent on it

Well there are many american universities around the world. Its not just an american university, but "America niversity" the brand name. Its a uni based in washington DC with branches around the world, like in egypt and eastern europe. i think there is one is israel

why?

I heard its fronted by IBB

Have you ever lived in a country with various races? Thats a basic discussion. But i have noticed nigerians tend to be luck warm about racial issues. My mom was that way until she came the america

Thanks. Seun, were you suggesting I was promoting racial hatred?

American University in Yobe--Who's applying?
http://www.abti-american.edu.ng/

AU prepares university in Nigeria
AU paid to help with Nation's first private school By Jeannette Kimmel

President Benjamin Ladner joined with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar to break ground on Nigeria's only private American-style university last month.

AU officials, together with several Nigerian officials, have been developing plans for the ABTI-American University of Nigeria (AAUN) since early 2003, when AU received a proposal from Abubakar asking for assistance in advising the first stages of establishing the university.

AAUN will be coed, modern, secular, technologically connected and American-style, according to Dr. Robert Pastor, vice president of International Affairs.

"ABTI ... is the company name of the different conglomerate of businesses, Nursery, Primary, Secondary and the much awaited ABTI American University," according to Haruna B. A. Mustafa on amanaonline.com

"They really want us to help on a permanent basis," Pastor said. AU has "negotiated internally, within AU, and externally, with [Nigerian officials] for a five-year management consultancy agreement. They would pay us for our services to advise them on how to build the entire university, both the physical structures, the curriculum and the recruitment of the senior management team." The amount AU is being paid was not disclosed.

Ladner signed the agreement on Jan. 1 and development of the school began shortly thereafter.

"[Nigerian officials] had a bold vision, all they wanted from us was advice," Pastor said. "We felt this could be a turning point for both Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa where education has deteriorated. We believe that this University could become a model for all of sub-Saharan Africa. [Officials have a] desire to have this University become something quite different from any other."

AU officials have hired a president and a vice president of academic affairs, have advised the Nigerian government on architectural drawings and master plans, on the curriculum, and are currently in the process or recruiting the rest of the senior management team and the faculty, according to Pastor.

"We have moved very quickly [in establishing the university]," Pastor said.

Dr. David Huwiler, former president of the American University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan (no association with AU), began working at AAUN in September, according to The Washington Post. Dr. V. James Garofalo, former dean of the School of Education at Aquinas College in Michigan, will join him as vice president.

Dr. Peter Lewis, professor and director of the Council for African Studies in SIS, said this is an important development.

"Nigeria is a very poor country that has been badly governed for years. It's public education system has been deteriorating for decades, so there is a huge demand [for a private university]," said Lewis, who has been heavily involved with AAUN developments.

"Over one million applicants compete for 100,000 slots in the current standard school system," said Lewis. An average student attending a public school receives about two percent of the resources students receive at AU, he said.

AAUN is located in Yola, in an eastern part of Nigeria in a Muslim region called Adamawa. The area has a population of 88,500. Nigeria is a nation with a 40 percent Christian, 50 percent Muslim population and an oil-based economy.

AAUN will start with only 200 students and include three schools: Arts and Sciences, Entrepreneurial Studies and Business Management, and Information Technology and Communication, selected by ABTI because of their relevance to Nigeria's government, according to a recent press release. Officials plan to expand to 7,000 students within 10 years.

"There is really a commitment to quality among the leaders in Nigeria," he said.

AU hopes to develop an exchange program for students in three years, once AAUN is fully established, according to Pastor. "I think it's a good experience to go to school in a developing country to see how it works," said Ben Sander, a sophomore in SIS who is going abroad to Nairobi, Kenya next fall. "It's much different than going to school in the States where we have a lot of amenities."

Abubakar said he is excited about the start of the university.

"We are moving closer to my dream of having a world-class university in Nigeria, and that is signified by the involvement of American University, one of the top universities in the world," said Abubakar in a press release. Abubakar's wife, Jennifer, is a Ph.D. student in SIS.

AAUN is the second university AU has helped establish, along with the American University of Sharjah, founded in 1997. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on October 25, 2004. AAUN is scheduled to begin classes in September 2005.

More information regarding the university can be found at www.abti-american.edu.ng

I hope that article you posted isnt true about Nigeria's position on veto power. I hope they didnt sabotage the other african nations as suggested by Egypt.

Nice to see our Navy out ther,e but i'm surprised to see Algeria's Navy out there as well.

Great. I was there last year. my mom is there now. she just got internet access at home and is excited since she can keep up with us better now

Thanks

Yes, obong is a calabar name. But thats not my real name, sha. I grew up in calabar and lagos and whenever i return to calabar i see great things he's done. can't wait for the tinapa project to be finished. The cleanliness is a major plus, and its bound to continue since he has a program in place that makes sure th eplace is cleaned daily

when were you there last?

at the bottom of the website, it says "Click Here to Enter"

Once you go in there are pages you can visit with links on the side

I wasn't refring to the stolen generation. I was refering to thier entire existence and land that was taken. Why should they be happy recieving so much money from the government when thier very way of making a living was taken from them? They can feed themselves and did well before it was taken. If you told me today you would take my house land and cattle and give me government money instead, i'd shoot you. Giving me a government subsidies life is like death. I'll take your statement on the stolen genenation into account. I'd also liek to hear from an aborigine

anyway, i didnt want to get into this entire race discussion. I just wanted to know if the company is black owned as a way of gauging how far the new south africa has come.

angela k, you think he's handsome huh? Perhaps thats how he gets his way. Studies have shown handsome men are more successful in life.

Yeah the guy has done a lot for that place and it makes me proud whenever i visit. I just hope th next guy is as good

I agree with you bibi that there are racist in both races. But truth be told, it does matter who controls a compnay. I dont know what fantasy world you live in. I wish it didnt matter but it does. If it didnt matter, why does the government of south africa have to force whites to sell the company shares to blacks

South africa has a formal policy now called Black economic empowerment because for hundreds of years whites made it policy not to allow blacks into key positions. So i don;t get your position at all. Same with Mr Hunter

Hidden Hunter, you can say that because whites have been able to kill people all over the world and obtained wealth in the process. So now race shouldn't matter? Gimme a break! I'm sure the aborigines in aus would think otherwise while wallowing in thier poor neighborhoods. If race doesnt matter whatsoever why are they the poorest in australia?

Fact remains it does matter who controls it. Especially in a country like south africa that was built on racist pinciples.

[Number of] Phones in Nigeria

At one point, almost monthly, we were updated on the teledensity of Nigeria [previous thread]. Does anyone know where telecom usage stands these days? Has it hit 20 million yet?

are these nigerian companies?

click on "click enter' at the bottom of the site then visit the various pages

I think he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, as were a lot of people, but he seems to be doing something grand for his state despite its meager resources. His father's riches shouldnt be a strike against him, its merely an accident of birth. Besides, to whom much is given, much is expected, and i feel he delivers

I like him because his has taken little and done a lot with it. I've always admired that in leaders

Pintos, in all your reading on nigeria, i'm sure you have come across the positives happening in the country. The UN, i'm sure, is also taking note. Things are improving, but we're just in the beginning stage. Despite the glitter of south africa, it will never carry the punch of a mobilised nigeria which hopefully will emerge in the next couple of decades

Nigeria undoubtely derserves it because it more centrally represents africa than south africa does. Military might also counts a lot.

By the way, CHXTA, did sudan ask Nigeria to mediate, or nigeria proposed to do it? i dont remember.