Nigeria! Nigeria!

As Nigeria goes through its first civilian transfer of power -- with all the fears of instability and uncertainty for the future -- I think its a great time to look back to one of the great moments in Nigerian history: our soccer victory over Brazil in the 96 Olympic semifinals!

Some highlights:



For the uninformed, Nigeria went on to beat Argentina in the finals and win her most important Gold medal in an olympic games.

Nigeria 4.0

Just 8 years into her fourth attempt at democracy, it looks like Nigeria has moved forcefully into the internet age, complete with email campaigns, campaign websites, online donations, interactive sessions and you tube ads. I got this email from a candidate for Governor of Lagos:

Dear concerned citizen,

In the eight years ending May 2007, about Six Billion dollars, or two thirds of a trillion Naira (N600,000,000,000) would have been spent by the Lagos State Government.

My name is Jimi Agbaje, visit my website, www.jimiagbaje.com, and find out how I would spend that sort of money. While on the website you can join in our campaign, and personally take the first step to make Lagos Work!

Alternatively join me, at an interactive session on a New Thinking for a New Lagos, at 4.00 pm at The Lagoon, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, the 4th of March, 2007. Alternatively watch me live on AIT at 4pm local Nigerian television and DSTV satellite television.

Jimi Agbaje

And here is his you tube ad video:

Nigeria stamps out guinea worm

According to this NPR story, Nigeria is close to stamping out the guinea worm. Guinea worm is a pretty gross disease. (Imagine a 2 ft parasitic worm living in your body, and eventually coming out slowly.) The thought of it always terrified me as a kid though I never had it. The Carter center is to be commended for the significant role it played in this.

All those gay Nigerians

The BBC is reporting that the Nigerian house of representatives is trying to outlaw gay relationships. I guess they have solved all Nigeria's other major problems like violence in oil producing regions, or kidnappings, or poverty. And I guess this law is necessary since there is such an epidemic of homosexuality. (Really, if you are Nigerian, how many openly gay people have you ever met in Nigeria?)

I wonder if this is driven by politics -- after all, this kind of action will be popular. It would be unfortunate to see the same kind of divisive politics that was used to buy votes here in the US, being applied in Nigeria. Except this will not be divisive, since there are probably not many people who are going to oppose the bill. It will just be a tool for defeating the more free-thinking and/or intellectual politicians. (How do you explain your opposition to this bill to your constituents?)

Interestingly, this story is being picked up by American Christians (particularly Episcopals) in the light of the imminent breakup of the Anglican communion and the signifant role the Nigerian church is playing. And at least one American blogger is giving play-by-play commentary on the developing story.

Finally, it will be interesting to see which Nigerian politicians oppose this. The BBC article points out:

The deputy chairman of the house committee on human rights Abdul Oroh says it was hypocritical of proponents of the bill to use morality and religion as basis for their arguments.

"We should not be hypocritical here. I think we should deal with this subject dispassionately. While we are trying to protect morals and values, we must also remember to protect people's rights even if they are a minority," Mr Oreh said at the public hearing.