It’s a curious, but little-known fact that the rate of twin births in West Africa is about four times higher than in the rest of the world. The centre of this twin zone is Igbo-Ora, a sleepy southwest town in Nigeria.
More twins are born here than anywhere else on earth, but nobody is quite sure why this town should be more twin prone than any other.
‘Being a father of twins is a joy. It is a sort of honour, because you know they are a special breed from God.’
On the road going into the town of Igbo-Ora, there’s a large stone plinth, which proudly welcomes visitors to ‘the land of twins’. Here there are few households who do not have at least one set of twins.
Nigeria is the most highly populated nation in the world with an estimated 170 million people and population experts say that the country, particularly the southwest, has the world’s highest twinning rate.
Whilst recent accurate figures do not exist, a study conducted by a British gynaecologist, Patrick Nylander, between 1972 and 1982 recorded an average of 45 to 50 sets of twins per 1000 live births in the southwest.
In the predominantly rural community of Igbo-Ora, multiple births are celebrated and have, over the generations, been regarded as special gifts from God. Twins are a blessing, with many pregnant women wishing for multiple births.
Igbo-Ora is not a wealthy town, many families rely on farming for their income and resources are scarce.
Bringing up large numbers of children can be a struggle, but in many families the arrival of twins continues to be warmly welcomed as one townsman explains:
‘Being a father of twins is a joy. It is a sort of honour, because you know they are a special breed from God.’
This is a continuation of the 10 Interesting Things about the Nigeria People.
5. Islam and Christianity are the two major religions
The Nigerian population is a very religious one. It is composed of 50% of Muslims predominantly up north and 50% Christians, predominantly down south. Nigeria is home to the thousands of churches and mosques. Nigerian clergymen are so successful, they are renowned globally. Nigeria is therefore not surprisingly home to the world’s biggest protestant church.
The Faith Tabernacle, Otta – World’s biggest protestant church.The National Mosque, Abuja, Nigeria.
Prayers are a significant and necessary preamble at any official gathering in Nigeria. Sadly, Nigeria is also home to Africa’s most frequent religious crises between both Abrahamic faiths. There exists pockets of animists in the siouthern part of the country. The Osun Shrine in Osogbo, south of Nigeria, the shrine of one of the traditional deities is a UNESCO World heritage site.
Osun Shrine – UNESCO World Heritage site Photo: Osun State Govt.
4. South-Western Nigeria has World’s Highest Multiple Births Records
It’s a curious, but little-known fact that the rate of twin births in West Africa is about four times higher than in the rest of the world. The centre of this twin zone is Igbo-Ora, a sleepy southwest town in Nigeria. Twins in South West Nigeria are called Ibeji. The birth of twins is highly commemorative and joyously celebrated. Twins are believed to be bring good fortune and protected by a strong spirit – “Orisa Ibeji“.
The Osahdipe Twins – Gospel Artists Photo: AllAfrica.com
More twins are born in South West, Nigeria than anywhere else on earth, but nobody is quite sure why this is!
3. One of the Oldest locations of Human Existence
Archeological evidences indicate that Nigeria is home to one of the earliest human civilization. The Dufuna Canoe: “8000 years ago, Nigeria. “Africa’s oldest known boat” the Dufuna Canoe was discovered near the region of the River Yobe. The Canoe was discovered by a Fulani herdsman in May 1987, in Dufuna Village while digging a well. The canoe’s “almost black wood”, said to be African mahogany, as “entirely an organic material”. The Canoe is over 8000 years old, thus making it the oldest in Africa and 3rd oldest in the World.
The Dufuna Canoe
2. Home of Nollywood
The cinema of Nigeria, often referred to as Nollywood, grew quickly in the 1990s and 2000s and became the second largest film industry in the world in number of annual film productions, placing it ahead of the United States and behind only India. In 2013, it was rated as the third most valuable film industry in the world after generating a total revenue of 1.72 trillion Naira ($10 billion) in 2013 alone, placing it behind India and the United States
On set with Tunde Kilani, one of Nigeria most prolific film directors and producers.
1. Richest Africans
According to Forbes ranking the richest African is Aliko Dangote, a Nigerian businessman and industrialist. He owns Africa’s largest conglomerate of cement factories in six different countries. He is also into sugar and flour and is currently building Africa’s largest petroleum refinery in Lagos, South west Nigeria. Aliko Dangote is reported to be worth about US$25billion as at February this year.
Aliko Dangote – Richest African
The richest blackwoman and African is Folorunsho Alakija. She replaced Isabel dos Santos as the richest African woman. She is a business tycoon involved in the fashion, oil and printing industries. Alakija is ranked by Forbes as the richest woman in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. As of 2014, she is listed as the 96th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes.
Folorunsho Alakija – Richest Blackwoman in the world. Photo: TIME
Nigeria is the most highly populated nation in the world with an estimated 170 million people and population experts say that the country, particularly the southwest, has the world’s highest twinning rate.
Igbo-Ora is not a wealthy town, many families rely on farming for their income and resources are scarce.
POSITIVE NIGERIA 