NIGERIA AT A GLANCE or NIGERIA, GOOD PEOPLE, GREAT NATION.

INTRODUCING NIGERIA: A-Z BY ADISA BAKARE, AYISHA BELGORE & ENIOLA HARRISON 64pp; FARAFINA EDUCATIONAL

REVIEWED BY ISABELLA E.C. AKINSEYE

From a young age I have always being interested in countries and their cultures. I had a really gigantic hard back atlas, almost as tall as me; one in English the other in German. I wanted to travel, to discover, to taste and of course to satisfy my curiosity about the big question WHY? Why did Indians paint a red dot on their forehead and why couldn’t we live in igloos in Nigeria. So when I saw a copy of Introducing Nigeria: A-Z I remembered the recent times I had gone to the library in England and could hardly find any full colour and beautifully illustrated book on Nigeria, meanwhile there were several titles for other African countries. I had made a mental note to write a book on my beloved country but the trio of Bakare, Belgore and Harrison had already done that and from first impressions, they had done a good job.

Introducing Nigeria: A-Z is both informative and entertaining as you are wondering what to expect next as you go from A (Arts & Crafts) to Z (Zuma Rock). In between the pages I was reunited with S (State Capitals) which was beautifully illustrated with a coloured map and a list of all the states and capitals, all 36 of them! When I was young we did not have that many. The book is very current with a picture of President Umaru Yar’Adua alongside with The Nigerian Coat of Arms making it on G (Governement), thus easily making it a companion for every student of Current Affairs.

The language is very easy to understand and new words introduced are explained for the young and old reader alike. The book follows a simple format of text and image on adjoining pages and can be easily digested in one sitting. However Introducing Nigeria: A-Z is one book that will not get dusty on your bookshelf as you are bound to pick it more often than not for its lovely pictures and complementing text which would easily entertain and interest you and your guests.

Introducing Nigeria is available in leading bookshops in Nigeria and online via www.kachifo.com and www.amazon.com.

Robot  # 1 | 04.07.2009 08:32

When I saw a copy ofIntroducing Nigeria: A-ZI remembered the recent times I had gone to the library in England and could hardly find any full colour and beautifully illustrated book on Nigeria. The trio of Bakare, Belgore and Harrison had already done that and from first impressions, they had done a good job....Read the full article.