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Did You Know

Did You Know

Explore Hidden Facts About Nigeria

169
Ovonramwen Nogbaisi was the last Oba of the Benin Empire. He ruled until 1897 when the British forced him into exile in Calabar, Cross River State.

170
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was established by the signing of a treaty in Lagos on May 28, 1975.

171
Lagos is the second most populated city in Africa after Cairo.

172
The “Aso” of the name Aso Rock means victorious in the native language of the Asokoro people who once lived in its vicinity.

173
Gatwick Airport in London, England is owned by Nigerian businessman Adebayo Ogunlesi.

174
The area around Benue and Cross River states is believed to have been the original homeland of the Bantu peoples who eventually populated most of central and southern Africa between the first and second millennia BC.

175
Nigeria has the highest rate of twin births in the world. Akintola Williams was the first African to qualify as a chartered accountant.

176
Afrobeat musician Fela Kuti and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka were first cousins.

177
Chinua Achebe has been the recipient of over thirty honorary doctorate degrees.

178
The central parts of Abuja were designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange.

179
There are also large communities of Yoruba people living in Togo and the Republic of Benin.

180
After Nigeria, Brazil has the second largest population of black people of any country.

181
Zulu Sofola was Africa's first female Professor of Theatre Arts.

182
Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria's first World Cup goal during a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria at USA 1994.

183
The Gwari people of Northern Nigeria believe that the head is sacred, and therefore do not carry loads on their heads. Items are carried on the back of the neck.

184
Ruins of the Oyo Empire can be seen in the Old Oyo National Park.

185
Nigerian high jumper and soldier Emmanuel Ifeajuna was the first black African to win a gold medal at a sporting event. He came first at the 1954 Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver.

186
Eweka, the first Oba of the Benin Kingdom of present-day Edo State, was the son of the ooni (or ruler) of the Ife.

187
The city of Ife in Osun State is considered the spiritual home of the Yoruba people.

188
There is a town in Jamaica called Abeokuta. It was founded by former slaves from present-day Ogun State who were brought to a plantation in that part of Jamaica.

189
Scottish missionary Mary Slessor, famous for her work in Calabar, Cross River State, served as vice-president of the Ikot Obong native court.

190
Paul McCartney of the Beatles recorded his solo album Band on the Run at a music studio on Wharf Road in Apapa, Lagos.

191
The first Nigerian speaker of the Nigerian parliament prior to independence was Jaja Wachuku, an Ngwa royal prince and lawyer.

192
Nigeria’s leaders considered renaming the country after the West African empire of Songhai after independence (Ghana and Mali, known the Gold Coast and French Sudan during the colonial era, were also named after West African empires).