COURSE: NIGERIA PEOPLE AND CULTURE COURSE CODE: PGDCA-710 MATRIC NO: 01102190

Nigeria population is about 150,000,000. Nigeria is binded in the south by the Atlantic Ocean, in the north by Nigeria republic, west by republic of Benin and the east Cameroun. THE GEOGRAPHICAL STRUCTURE OF THE WESTERN AREA IN NIGERIA The Yoruba can be described as one of the major ethnic groups in western Nigeria. Several members of the Yoruba race can be found everywhere around the globe. But the majority of them of are found in some southern and central state of Nigeria stretching across Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos etc. They practice both Islam and Christianity but most of them are still traditionalist to the core. The Yoruba ethnic group is believed to have come into existence between 2000 to 1000Bc. THE ORIGIN OF YOURUBA Rev. Samuel Johnson in 1950 traced the origin of the Yoruba to the east. According to him, the Yoruba originally came from the North Eastern Africa. The similarities between the cultures of Yoruba and Egyptian in terms of religion works of arts, burial and other traditional practice are enough evidence. It is from Egypt after several years of journey that the Yoruba finally settled in Ile-Ife in Nigeria. Oduduwa is believed to be the first leader that the Yoruba to Ile-Ife and subsequently sent his sons and grandson to find other Yoruba kingdom. The Yoruba came originally from the east, there cannot be the slightest doubt as their habit, manner and custom etc.

THE ALAAFIN ADMINISTRATION Oyo empire was very unique and exceptionally in its system of government. For instance, in the 16th century, Oyo was one of the rear empires that had in-built check and balances and this contributed to its stability for centuries. The Alaafin was the head the empire was resident in the capital. He was also regarded as lord of many lands. He was assisted in his administration with officials made up of priests. THE EFFECT ON SOCIAL INTEGRATIO IN THE EARLY CENTURY Oyo is best known as the major kingdom emerged as an empire in Yoruba land. Various tradition believed that Oyo was founded by Oranmiyan, the son of oduduwa who is also credited with establishing the present Benin monarchy. Oyo was founded in the middle of the 15th century. A century that later became very powerful and prosperous, extending its authority as far as Dahomey. THE GEOGRAPHYCAL STRUCTURE OF SOUTHERN AREA IN NIGERIA Iginuwa is known as the man through whom the kingdom of Itsekri is said to have been established. History tells us that Iginuwa was the son and apparent of Oba Olua of Benin in about 1473. We should remember that unlike the Yoruba, Benin and Igbo people, the Itsekiri do not have many version of their origin. According to the Itsekiri tradition, Iginuwa at a time wrongly advised his father on a particular issue, the advice was so disastrous the Iginuwa became very unpopular to the extent that his people vowed never to let him succeed his father. When his father Oba Olua noticed the seriousness of the anger of his people against his son, he decided to arrange a kingdom outside Benin for him. This was according to him the best way to avoid problem in his kingdom. According to tradition, Iginuwa was then sent with some chiefs and servants to an area by the sea to establish a kingdom of his own. On his arrival, he met with some Ijaws,

who took him along with his followers by canoe to island where they finally settled. To most of the Itsekiri, this settlement is known as the Itsekiri kingdom till date. THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN THE EARLY CENTURY. Just like the Itsekiri, the Urhobo people are found in the Niger-Delta region. However unlike the Itsekiri, the Urhobo are fragmented and live in different places in the NigerDelta region. This may be the reason why the Urhobo people unlike the Itsekiri had its own traditional institution headed a ruler (Ovie). The Ovie for instance had a court made of prominent individuals and title holders. Moreover, just like in Igbo land, the adult male members of the Urhobo society were divided into age sets corresponding with youth, middle age and elders. Each of the age sets performed specific duties in the society. THE GEOGRAPHICAL STRUCTURE OF THE NORTHER AREA IN NIGERIA INTRODUCTION: This study introduces us to the path to the part of the people of Northern Nigeria and their culture in pre-colonial times. It focuses on the first three major ethnic groups found in the Northern Nigeria namely: the Hausas, the Kanem Bornus and the Nupes. THE BAYAJIDA VERSION Most scholars agreed that the Bayajida story is the most authentic oral tradition in Hausa that attempts to explain the origin of the Hausa state. According to the legend, Bayajida is believed to be founder and hero of the Hausa state. He is also believed to have come from Baghdad to Kanem Bornu and hence to Hausa land in present Nigeria. History tells us that Bayajida married the daughter of the Mai of Bornu by who he had a son at Iran. After a while Bayajida left Iran to Daura. While in Daura he helped to kill a snake which had for long time prevented the people from fetching water from river.

According to the legend, the queen of Daura was very impressed and decided to marry him. They later had a son named Bawo. Bawo had six children who togerther with Bayajida other son at Iran were belived to have founded the original seven Hausa State referred to as the Hausa Bokwoi. THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL INTEGRATION IN THE EARLY CENTURY It is very important to know the nucleus of the social-political organization of the Kanem Bornu people was based on kingship. For instance the Mai (King) was the highest authority in the political structure. His mother i.e. the queen mother of Maigira was a very important and respected personage in the Kanem political structure as well. The kings sister was also very important. She was to assist the king in the day to day administration of Kanem.