Ever felt curious about what it might be like to be a teenager living on the other side of the world? Sixteen year old Hassana gives us the low-down on Nigeria...
Hassana says:
I live in Lagos, Nigeria, with my brother, Mum and Dad. We have out own house, a three storey building - we live on the first floor and rent out the other two floors. The climate here is good... we don't have snow, though! In December-January we have 'harmattan' - a dry, dusty west African trade wind which lowers the temperature. I love the colder weather when you just out on a favourite pair of socks, drink hot cocoa and daydream!
Nigerians love to wear both western and traditional dress - I love to mix them both. I like to be different and choose dresses that are modest, comfortable and down-to-earth awesome. I often make my own clothes using traditional prints in western styles! In the picture to the left, I'm wearing a top I sewed myself using our traditional materials - I made the accessories myself too.
Nigerians are very religious people; the country is filled with both muslims and christians. I am a muslim by birth and still a muslim - at the moment I am still trying to fit in with the hijab (head scarf) as I wasn't used to it!
I went to a military private school so my hair was cut low, a rule for both boys and girls. Both public and private schools in Nigeria have uniforms, and because my school was a private one tuition fees had to be paid. The public schools are free because they are government owned. I
graduated from secondary school last July and was given a place at university to study Botany; however, I wish to be a paediatrician so I am applying again this year and hoping I will get a place on the course I want. There are six classes to pass before you graduate secondary school, and each class consists of three terms. The subjects are wide and range from Maths, English, Social Studies, Business Studies and Fine Art to Agricultural Science, French, Music, Religious Studies and more. Because of my ambition to be a paediatric doctor I was in the science classes. We also studied Nigerian languages like Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa.
I love junk food, especially fries and chocolate, and we also eat pancakes, cereals, bread, tea, rice, beans and so on. Typical Nigerian dishes might be Tuwoshinkafa, made from rice, Amala made from cassava (yam) flour, Eba, also made from cassava, and Egusi or Ewedu soup.
Nigeria has awesome culture and tribes, warm-hearted people and plenty of tourism - we have eateries, cinemas, theatres, bars and some huge beachside hotels. Nigeria was made World Book Capitial in 2014 and we have some amazing writers, like Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and the amazing Chimananda Ngozi Adichie who wrote Half of a Yellow Sun and Purple Hibiscus and more.
Nigeria is the fourth largest country in West Africa and is the backbone and the strength of Africa… although it has been in the news lately for some very sad events, Nigeria is still a truly wonderful place to be.
Cathy says:
Wow... Hassana's description really makes Nigeria come alive, and I LOVE her dress designs in those cool African prints! COMMENT BELOW to have your say or to thank Hassana for her brilliant report!
I live in Lagos, Nigeria, with my brother, Mum and Dad. We have out own house, a three storey building - we live on the first floor and rent out the other two floors. The climate here is good... we don't have snow, though! In December-January we have 'harmattan' - a dry, dusty west African trade wind which lowers the temperature. I love the colder weather when you just out on a favourite pair of socks, drink hot cocoa and daydream!
Nigerians are very religious people; the country is filled with both muslims and christians. I am a muslim by birth and still a muslim - at the moment I am still trying to fit in with the hijab (head scarf) as I wasn't used to it!
I went to a military private school so my hair was cut low, a rule for both boys and girls. Both public and private schools in Nigeria have uniforms, and because my school was a private one tuition fees had to be paid. The public schools are free because they are government owned. I
Nigeria has awesome culture and tribes, warm-hearted people and plenty of tourism - we have eateries, cinemas, theatres, bars and some huge beachside hotels. Nigeria was made World Book Capitial in 2014 and we have some amazing writers, like Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and the amazing Chimananda Ngozi Adichie who wrote Half of a Yellow Sun and Purple Hibiscus and more.
Nigeria is the fourth largest country in West Africa and is the backbone and the strength of Africa… although it has been in the news lately for some very sad events, Nigeria is still a truly wonderful place to be.
Cathy says:
Wow... Hassana's description really makes Nigeria come alive, and I LOVE her dress designs in those cool African prints! COMMENT BELOW to have your say or to thank Hassana for her brilliant report!
It's a beautiful description and I really love Hassana's outfit designs and her hairstyle. My sister has the exact same one now! Even though my family are kind of Londonised, we still have the exact same foods on a regular basis! And I always love it!!! :o)
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ReplyDeleteNigeria sounds so cool!
ReplyDeletei am also from nigeria but i live in england now. my family relocated last year. i love our food and everything about my country. i like hassana's outfit
ReplyDeleteGorgeous girl without make up! A pride Nigerian and rightly so! Brilliant summary on Nigeria. The outfits are very contemporary and fashionable. The pictures of the meal have suddenly made me hungry. They look delicious and rich. Nigria here we come to visit! I am a long lost Nigerian at heart living in UK. Ndewo!
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