What makes Nigeria a "Giant" in Africa.

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 11:28 am

I have noticed the phrase Nigeria is an African "Giant" on several occasions here. Admitedly with a population of alledgedly 120 million people this claim is valid. But what else makes Nigeria a giant and how does it compare with other African countries? To be more blunt what sort of infuence does Nigeria have over other African countries?

Jiggerman21 · Post by **Jiggerman21** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 11:35 am

Nothing but population epidemic. OK, are you happy now? OK, now sharrap.

Avayi · Post by **Avayi** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 11:45 am

Man dozer,

Nigeria has a venerable military and has been very instrumental in quelling some of the worst military conflicts on the continent

Nigerians have "style" as compared to others notably those from the South

Nigeria has a sattelite in space only the third African nation

A Nigeria gave us our first Nobel Prize winner

. . . and

419 scammers have made the world fear/respect Nigeria. The world now knows that you ignore a Gidian at your peril !

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 11:55 am

Avayi wrote:Man dozer,

Nigeria has a venerable military and has been very instrumental in quelling some of the worst military conflicts on the continent

Nigerians have "style" as compared to others notably those from the South

Nigeria has a sattelite in space only the third African nation

A Nigeria gave us our first Nobel Prize winner

. . . and

419 scammers have made the world fear/respect Nigeria. The world now knows that you ignore a Gidian at your peril !

My brothers why the hostile response? I am asking a geniune question.

Which conflicts have been quelled by the Nigerian military? I am aware of their part in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Where else?

How does Nigerians alledgedly having "style" make their country an African giant?

I am surprised about the satellite thing though, could you please provide me with a link with more info?

How does Nigeria having a nobel prize winner make her an "African giant"?

Avayi · Post by **Avayi** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:06 pm

Mandoza,

Satellite URL

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3130390.stm

The Nobel Prize Winner means that Nigeria is a "Nobel Prize Winning Giant" and a pace setter . . . . . get it now ?

RudeBoy · Post by **RudeBoy** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:09 pm

We are giants because:

We get most oil
We get more people
We get more fine babes
We get more Universities
We get more ethnic groups
We get more, period!

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:11 pm

RudeBoy wrote:We are giants because:

We get most oil
We get more people
We get more fine babes
We get more Universities
We get more ethnic groups
We get more, period!

Hmmmmm.. who can argue with that logic.

Avayi · Post by **Avayi** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:12 pm

MANDOZA,

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE SATELLITE URL YET ?

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:13 pm

Avayi wrote:Mandoza,

Satellite URL

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3130390.stm

The Nobel Prize Winner means that Nigeria is a "Nobel Prize Winning Giant" and a pace setter . . . . . get it now ?

We have a nobel prize winner as well so? This is just some Western award that could also be won by someone from the Togo republic or some other non-descript country.

Thanks for the link by the way.

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:16 pm

Avayi wrote:MANDOZA,

HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE SATELLITE URL YET ?

Yes I have, it would appear a lot of your countrymen feel this is a waste of money. What are your views on it?

Thought · Post by **Thought** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:18 pm

Mandoza,

The population is perhaps the biggest factor in calling Nigeria the African giant. With its pathetic economy, it still generates more than most other african countries. Nigerians are found almost anywhere you go, and from personal experience about 3 out of every 5 black people you see in traditionally non-black places are Nigerians.

Now put this and, the other mentioned and unmentioned factors, into perspective. If Nigeria were to only progress as a transparent democracy (a process that has already begun even though it doesnt look so pretty currently), the title of THE African Giant will be unquestioned.

And yes, I have an inflated perception of Nigeria. What can I say, the facts lend credence to that.

8)

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:19 pm

By the way I notice this satelleite of "yours" is an old refurbished Russian Satellite.

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:21 pm

Thought wrote:Mandoza,

The population is perhaps the biggest factor in calling Nigeria the African giant. With its pathetic economy, it still generates more than most other african countries. Nigerians are found almost anywhere you go, and from personal experience about 3 out of every 5 black people you see in traditionally non-black places are Nigerians.

Now put this and, the other mentioned and unmentioned factors, into perspective. If Nigeria were to only progress as a transparent democracy (a process that has already begun even though it doesnt look so pretty currently), the title of THE African Giant will be unquestioned.

And yes, I have an inflated perception of Nigeria. What can I say, the facts lend credence to that. 8)

You make some interesting points Thought.

Just out of interest approximately how many Nigerians reside outside Nigeria?

Avayi · Post by **Avayi** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:30 pm

I personally think it is a VERY GOOD INVESTMENT.

Many European commentators and some short-sighted Nigerian think otherwise.

For the Europeans they are against it solely because of jealousy. Notice how when China sent a rocket into orbit they said China had loads of poverty stricken citizenry ! Are there no poor people in America as well ?

For the "against" Nigerians, they just don't have a clue, period.

What people don't realise is that a satellite will help Nigeria in better utilising her agricultural resources which will in turn help to feed the populace. It will also help in mineral prospecting. It will also help in weather forecasting. It will help in monitoring disasters such as floods and bush fires. According to the current plans the satellite will eventually be utilised in communications. I could go on and on.

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:35 pm

Avayi wrote:I personally think it is a VERY GOOD INVESTMENT.

Many European commentators and some short-sighted Nigerian think otherwise.

For the Europeans they are against it solely because of jealousy. Notice how when China sent a rocket into orbit they said China had loads of poverty stricken citizenry ! Are there no poor people in America as well ?

For the "against" Nigerians, they just don't have a clue, period.

What people don't realise is that a satellite will help Nigeria in better utilising her agricultural resources which will in turn help to feed the populace. It will also help in mineral prospecting. It will also help in weather forecasting. It will help in monitoring disasters such as floods and bush fires. According to the current plans the satellite will eventually be utilised in communications. I could go on and on.

Avayi I don't doubt these benefits but why not just use the Satellites already in orbit which get this information quicker and at a much lower cost?

Thought · Post by **Thought** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:36 pm

Mandoza wrote:You make some interesting points Thought.

Just out of interest approximately how many Nigerians reside outside Nigeria?

I cant pull any ballpark figure but definitely millions. While some of the accessible indicators of how much nigerians are in the diaspora isnt something to be proud of, it does give a sense of how much Nigerians are around. If you go to Singapore, dont just say you are a Nigerian. trust me. There is a healthy number of Nigerians resident as guests of various correctional facilities around the world, most notably in the SE Asian region.

The Afghan opium trade has a good Nigerian representation; the journey to Europe accross the Sahara has lots of enterprising Nigerians - both as the travellers and as facilitators.

You know how it is, bad things generally make more noise than the good things. But there are quite a number of Nigerians doing some positive things around the world: The NBA, NFL, NCAA, Academics, etc...

Avayi · Post by **Avayi** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:40 pm

Mandoza,

The satellite was a newly manufactured in England with the help of Nigerian technicians. It was only put into orbit by the Russians.

http://www.sstl.co.uk/index.php?loc=5

Just as an aside:

I have never known satellites to be brought back to earth and refurbished ! I thought they stay up in orbit and eventually decend to a lower orbit and burn-out OR they get pushed to a higher orbit called a "parking-orbit" !

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:41 pm

I actually admire this adventureous streak all Nigerians seem to have. You are not scared to try anything or go anywhere and I do not doubt that Nigeria is all the better for this.

Thought wrote:
Mandoza wrote:You make some interesting points Thought.

Just out of interest approximately how many Nigerians reside outside Nigeria?
I cant pull any ballpark figure but definitely millions. While some of the accessible indicators of how much nigerians are in the diaspora isnt something to be proud of, it does give a sense of how much Nigerians are around. If you go to Singapore, dont just say you are a Nigerian. trust me. There is a healthy number of Nigerians resident as guests of various correctional facilities around the world, most notably in the SE Asian region.

The Afghan opium trade has a good Nigerian representation; the journey to Europe accross the Sahara has lots of enterprising Nigerians - both as the travellers and as facilitators.

You know how it is, bad things generally make more noise than the good things. But there are quite a number of Nigerians doing some positive things around the world: The NBA, NFL, NCAA, Academics, etc...

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:45 pm

Avayi wrote:Mandoza,

The satellite was a newly manufactured in England with the help of Nigerian technicians. It was only put into orbit by the Russians.

http://www.sstl.co.uk/index.php?loc=5

Just as an aside:

I have never known satellites to be brought back to earth and refurbished ! I thought they stay up in orbit and eventually decend to a lower orbit and burn-out OR they get pushed to a higher orbit called a "parking-orbit" !

Okay my bad I had read on that link you provided me with that it had been refurshibed.

The page coming up from that sstl link you provided is blank.

Avayi · Post by **Avayi** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:45 pm

Mandoza,

Satellites have something called their "footprints" i.e the area which they cover on Earth. A lot of the existing Sats don't have large footprints in Africa. That is why Nigeria (or even Africa as a whole) need our own dedicated Sats.

Avayi · Post by **Avayi** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:48 pm

Mandoza,

The SSTL page is NOT COMPLETELY blank.

Searchfully for the "NigeriaSat1" link and go on from there . . . . Explore my man, Explore !

Mzekezeke · Post by **Mzekezeke** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:49 pm

Avayi wrote:Mandoza,

Satellites have something called their "footprints" i.e the area which they cover on Earth. A lot of the existing Sats don't have large footprints in Africa. That is why Nigeria (or even Africa as a whole) need our own dedicated Sats.

I certainly can't argue with that. I await the day we can launch African satellites from African soil.

Thought · Post by **Thought** » Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:50 pm

Mandoza wrote:I actually admire this adventureous streak all Nigerians seem to have. You are not scared to try anything or go anywhere and I do not doubt that Nigeria is all the better for this.

Especially if channeled into more constructive pursuits instead of fast cash/ little self effort endeavours. Nice to see you're admiration of Nigerians. I suppose that could further cement the notion that Nigeria is THE African giant. One more thing, take a look at forum.cybereagles.com , the traffic it generates, and even better, www.naijaryders.com , and you'd see further reasons why Nigeria bears that title. These sites are possibly the biggest African forums on the web.

Now do you see why Nigeria is considered THE giant?