CHARLES DALE MEMORIAL INTERNATIONAL

SCHOOL

PRESENTS

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AWARDS

WORLD OF CULTURE: FOCUSING ON THE

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AND THE

REPUBLIC OF TOGO

TOGO NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION The Republic of Togo

(Republique du Togo in French) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are countries in West Africa.

While Togo is named after the town of Togoville, Nigeria, is named after River Niger as a coinage for states and empires in the Niger area. The two countries shared a lot in common in terms of history, politics and culture.

BRIEF HISTORY

Nigeria which was a British colony became independent from Britain in October 1960. In October 1963 Nigeria proclaimed itself the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and former Governor General Nnamdi Azikiwe became the country's first President, with Tafawa Balewa as the prime minister until 1966. Other Nigerian leaders are as follows:

NNAMDI AZIKIWEGOVERNOR GENERAL 1960-1963

PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA

FROM 1963- 1966

ALHAJI SIR ABUBAKAR TAFAWA BALEWA

FIRST AND ONLY PRIME MINISTER OF NIGERIA.1963- 1966.

HE WAS KILLED IN A BLOODY COUP D’ETAT WHILE STILL IN OFFICE.

MAJOR GENERAL JOHNSON THOMAS UMUNNAKWE AGUIYI IRONSI

Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi

1966 – 1966

GENERAL YAKUBU GOWON 1966 – 1975

GENERAL MURTALA RAMAT MOHAMMED 1975 – 1976

GENERAL OLUSEGUN AREMU OKIKIOLA MATTHEW OBASANJO

1976 – 1979

SHEHU USMAN ALIYU SHAGARI

1979 – 1983

MAJOR-GENERAL MUHAMMADU BUHARI

1983 –1985

GENERAL IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA

1985 – 1993

CHIEF ERNEST ADEGUNLE OLADEINDE SHONEKAN

1993 – 1993

GENERAL SANI ABACHA

1993 –1998

GENERAL ABDULSALAMI

ALHAJI ABUBAKAR (RTD.)

1998 –1999

GENERAL (RTD.) OLUSEGUN AREMU

OKIKIOLA MATTHEW OBASANJO1999-2007

UMARU MUSA YAR'ADUA2007 - 2010

GOODLUCK EBELE AZIKIWE JONATHAN ( ACTING PRESIDENT)

2010 –2010 AND 2010 - 2015

MUHAMMADU BUHARI PRESIDENTS

OF NIGERIAMuhammadu Buhari

Muhammadu Buhari became president of Nigeria May 29, 2015 till date after contesting for 12 years.

Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan1993 – 1993

General Sani Abacha1993 –1998

General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (rtd.)1998 –1999

Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan1993 – 1993

General Sani Abacha1993 –1998

General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (rtd.)1998 –1999

General (rtd.) Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Matthew Obasanjo1999 –2007

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua2007 - 2010

. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan ( Acting President)

2010 –2010 Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan 2010 - 2015 Muhammadu Buhari 2015- till date

The capital of Nigeria is Abuja, the national currency is the Naira and the people are called “Nigerians”. Nigeria covers an area of 927 620 sq km and a population of over 170 million people. It has the largest economy in Africa. The motto is Peace and Unity. And the national anthem is titled“ Arise o compatriots”

While in 1884, Germany declared Togoland a protectorate. After world war I, rule over Togo was transferred to France. Togo gained independence from France on April 27, 1960.

The republic of Togo is one of the smallest countries in west Africa; bordered by Ghana in the west, Benin republic in the east, Burkina- faso in the north and in the south by the Gulf of Guinea. Lomé, the capital and also the major port city of the country. The presidents of Togo since independence are:

EPIPHANIO OLYMPIO. The Togolese

president at independence in 1960 was Sylvanus Epiphanio Olympio. He was assassinated during the coup d’état on 13 January, 1963

NICOLAS GRUNITZKY

Nicolas Grunitzky took over from him.

He was also ousted in a

bloodless coup by General Gnassingbé Eyadema on 14th January,

1967.

GENERAL GNASSINGBÉ EYADEMA

General Gnassingbé Eyadema

overthrew Nicolas Grunitzky on 14th

January, 1967.Eyadema was succe eded by his

son, Faure Gnassingbé after his death on 5th February, 2005.

FAURE GNASSINGBÉ PRESIDENT OF TOGO

Faure Gnassingbé became president of Togoafter his death of his fathe Gnassingbé Eyadema on 5th February, 2005

Togo covers an area of 57000 square kilometers and a population of 6.7 million people. The people are called “Togolese”. The Republic of Benin is the only country that is in between Togo and Nigeria. The country currency is the Franc CFA and the motto is Travail- Liberté- Patrie meaning Work- Liberty- Fatherland. The national anthem is titled “ Salut a toi pays de nos aieux”.

PRESIDENTS

Muhammadu Buhari Faure Gnassingbe

of Nigeria

of Togo

MUHAMMADU BUHARI OF NIGERIA FAURE GNASSINGBE OF TOGO

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION OF TOGOAND NIGERIA

Togo is divided into five regions and twenty-one prefectures.

5 REGIONS HEADQUARTERS1. Savanes Dapaong 2. Kara Kara3. Centrale Sokodé4. Plateaux Atakpamé5. Maritime Lomé

THE 21 PREFECTURES AREZioGolfelacs vo Haho Yoto Wawa

Kloto

Ogu AmouNyalaSotoubouaBassarTchaoudjo

AssoliDoufelgouBenah ToneOtiKeran Kozah

TOGO: MAPS OF ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION5

REGIONS

21 PREFECTURE

S

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION OF NIGERIANigeria is divided into six geo-political zones namely North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-East, South-West and South-South; and thirty six states with the Federal capital territory, Abuja and 774 local governments authorities

MAP SHOWING ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION OF NIGERIA

Nigeria is divided into six (6) geo-political zones, 36 states and the federal Capital Territory at Abuja and 774 local government.

 

TOGO AND NIGERIA FLAGSTHE FLAG OF TOGO

The flag of Togo was officially adopted on April 27, 1960. It features a white “ Star of Hope” on a field of red and the red of the field is said to represent the blood shed by the countrymen during the internal struggle for independence. Green symbolizes the country’s agricultural wealth; Yellow is symbolic of mineral wealth and the horizontal stripes represent the 5 regions of Togo

FLAG OF NIGERIA

On the other hand, the flag of Nigeria was officially used on October 1, 1960 – Nigeria’s Independence Day.The flag of Nigeria consists of three equal sized vertical stripes – the right and left stripes are green , and the middle stripe is white.The green stripes represent Nigeria’s agricultural industry and its lush vegetation. The white stripe represents peace and unity.

COAT OF ARMS NIGERIANigeria’s coat of arms has a black shield with two white lines that form a “Y” shape. The black shield represents Nigeria’s fertile soil, while the two horses or charges on each side represent dignity. The eagle represents strength, while the green and white bands on the top of the shield represent the rich soil. The red flowers at the base stands for the beauty of the nation. The white wavy pall represents the Niger and Benue. On the banderole around the base is Nigeria’s national motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress” .

COAT OF ARMS TOGOTogo’s coat of arm depicts two red lions representing bravery, holding bows and arrows which are symbolic of the need to defend the country. A gold shield is located between the lions on which the letters RT standing for ( Republique Togolaise) in black letters. Above the two flags, a white ribbon reads “ TRAVAIL-LIBERTE-PATRIE” which translates to WORK-LIBERTY-FATHERLAND.

TOGOLESE AND NIGERIAN SOCIETIES Nigeria and Togo share similarities in culture and

belief system which are diversified due to the multiplicity of ethnic groups in both countries and the influence of western civilization.

The diversity of Togo culture can be accounted by the fact that various tribes such as the GUEN and the MINA from Ghana and the EWE from Bénin Republic and Nigeria had settled along the coastal regions of Togo. Other Togolese tribes are the KABYE, LOSSO, KOTOKOLI and ANA. ANA is one the Yoruba dialects spoken in Togo. The Ana’s ancestors migrated from Ile- Ife in western Nigeria through the Republic of Benin. The Ana are found principally in the basin of Mono River in Togo. They are the most Westerly sub- group of the Yoruba.

TOGOLESE AND NIGERIAN SOCIETIES

Nigeria with over 250 ethnic groups has three major tribes namely the Hausas form the north, the Yorubas from the west and the Igbos from the east

Just like Nigeria which has festivals like the Egungun Festival, the New Yam Festival, the Oro Festival, etc, Togo also has Yam festival, Gadao, Evala and Voodoo festivals among others.

As for religion, both Togo and Nigeria are secular countries with different religions including Christianity,Islam and Traditional beliefs.However, the majority of Togo’s population follow traditional animist belief while Nigeria, has Christianity and Islam as the two dominant religions.

RELIGION IN TOGO AND NIGERIA

CHRISTIANITY TRADITIONAL

RELIGION

ISLAM

FESTIVALS IN NIGERIA AND TOGO

ARGUNGUN CULTURAL AND FISHING FESTIVAL IN NIGERIA

Argungun festival is celebrated in Kebbi State, Nigeria. It is a fishing competition in which the competitors search the river for the biggest fish.

THE EYO FESTIVAL IN NIGERIA

The Eyo festival has evolved over three centuries, and is usually held to celebrate the life and times of, or in commemoration of the passage of or ascension to the throne of an Oba (King) of Lagos. Equally, the Eyo festival is staged in the memory of a deceased worthy and illustrious individuals.

THE SANGO FESTIVAL IN NIGERIA

Sango Festival, this festival is in honour of Sango, the all powerful ‘god of thunder ‘ in Yoruba land.

NEW YAM FESTIVAL IN NIGERIA

One festival that is celebrated in Nigeria is the New Yam Festival; from Cross River State to Igbo speaking states, the festival is celebrated to thank the ancestors of the land for a bountiful yam harvest.

GADAO FESTIVAL IN TOGO

Celebrated in the central city of Sokodé. The festival is held in March to thank the ancestors for their harvests

EVALA FESTIVAL IN TOGO

Held every July in the North by the Kabye. This comprises traditional wrestling and initiation into adulthood.

VOODOO FESTIVAL IN TOGO

Held every September in the village of Glidji in the south. This is to celebrate the traditional new year.

EPE-EKPE FESTIVAL IN TOGO

This festival is partly family reunion, partly new year’s eve and partly religious festival in the south. Here the traditional priest sought for a stone in the walled forest. The colour of the stone portends the fortunes of the coming year.

YAM FESTIVAL IN TOGO

Yam festival is called “ete za” by the ewe tribe in Asogli, south of Togo. The festival is celebrated among the ewe tribe as a thanksgiving to God and also to the gods and the ancestors for a bumper harvest and to foster unity through forgiveness and reconciliation.

SIMILARITIES Nigeria and Togo share so many things in

common: Nigeria and Togo spearheaded the formation of

Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS)

Nigeria and Togo are both West African countries and members of the African Union and the United Nations.

They are agrarian, multi-ethnic and share the Ewe and the Ana tribes which originated from Badagry and Ile-ife respectively.

Both countries were involved in Trans-Sahara trade with North Africa and Arabs.

Both countries have witnessed both military and civilian rule.

Both countries got their independence in 1960.

In terms of festivals, Togo and Nigeria share wrestling, yam and voodoo festivals.

DIFFERENCES Nigeria is more populated than Togo. Nigeria is endowed with more natural

resources than Togo. Nigeria is an English speaking country

while Togo is a French speaking country.

Nigerian economy is larger than that of Togo.

Nigeria is bigger than Togo in terms of landmass.

Nigeria is a member of commonwealth nations while Togo is a member of la Francophonie.

Togo practices unitary system of government while Nigeria is into Federal system.

Togo has good local delicacies than Nigeria.

CONCLUSIONThough all black race lay claim to same ancestry,

yet the differences in our ways of life brighten our

history. This is the culture of Nigeria and

Togo people, so close yet so far. So different, yet so similar. All the same

black is beautiful.

THANK YOU