President for a year

"At the very heart of the people, I felt this desire to elect a woman who could bring peace and reconciliation."

Catherine Samba-Panza, interim president of Central African Republic

1954 born 26 June in Chad. Samba-Panza's father is from Cameroon, her mother is from the CAR.
1972 moved to CAR aged 18 and worked in insurance and as a corporate lawyer. Was active in a women's rights organisation, campaigning against female genital mutilation.
2003 formally entered politics and chaired a reconciliation process aimed at bringing the country's different groups together. Said that the violence between Christian and Muslim groups had its roots in poverty.
2012 became the mayor of Bangui.
2014 sworn in as interim president of CAR on 23 January. She is the first woman to hold the post.

Sources:
Words -  UK Guardian: Central African Republic's 'Mother Courage' fights to bring peace where men have failed.
Image - The Economist: Africa's third female president / Central African Republic under new management. 

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Nigerian History 101

Nigeria won independence from Britain in 1960.

After the December 1959 elections, Tafawa Balewa became the Prime Minister of Nigeria and the overall head of government.  

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, d. 1966 at 53

Nnamdi Azikiwe was the governor general and in 1963 became the first President of Nigeria.  He served as (ceremonial) head of state.    

Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, d. 1996 at 91

Obafemi Awolowo continued as leader of the opposition.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo, d. 1987 at 78

Click photos and links for more insights into the early history of Nigeria as a country.
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Mandela Tribute, by Obasanjo

South Africa's Nelson Mandela is a role model to the whole world.  He passed away in December 2013 at the age of 95.
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Know Your Constitution

A campaign on twitter - Just follow @KYCInitiative

#KnowYourRightsNigeria is on going courtesy @KYCInitiative.The guest, Lawyer @princeoreshade is not sparing anyone.Join them CC: @eggheader
— Adeola|GenVoices.org (@AdeolaOyinlade) November 25, 2013

For the brilliant contribution of @princeoreshade today, get everything via #KnowYourRightsNigeria hash tag
— Know Ur Constitution (@KYCInitiative) November 25, 2013

#KnowYourRightsNigeria is 2day (Mon.) Time:4-5PM. Topic: Fundamental Rights Enforcement in Nigeria. Guest: Mr.... http://t.co/R9ADvbj3ZZ
— Shaykha Sahfeeyah (@Sapheeya) October 21, 2013

RT @KYCInitiative: #KnowYourRightsNigeria is 2day(Mon.) Time:4-5PM |Topic: The peoples Constitution with Barr. @DSamsonitodo| Don't miss it.
— EiE Nigeria (@EiENigeria) October 14, 2013

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This is Jigawa, population 4 million, 361 thousand, and 2 people in 2006

I previously commented that Lagos swallows up Kano three times.  I subsequently downloaded google earth to confirm this with real images, not just maps.  
Interestingly, I also found interactive satellite images of Jigawa State, the slider bar lets you zoom in until you can almost count the trees. This is Dutse, the administrative capital of Jigawa State.

The heart of Dutse

Some other key population centers in Jigawa are Hadejia at about 2 x 2 kilometers, Gumel slightly smaller, Zoma centered on a lake, and Birnin Kudu whose 4 km perimeter you might encircle in 30 minutes, jogging.  There are impressive agricultural lands covering most of the state: see vast areas around Albasu and Aljara for example.

A view from the skies, click to zoom in

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