African Civ Nigeria essays

African Civ Nigeria essays The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a large country in western Africa, bordering the Golf of Guinea, and between Benin and Cameroon. It is the most populous country in Africa, although they will soon be outnumbered by Kenya. Nigeria is a tropical country rich in oil and other natural resources. Ever since gaining its independence from the United Kingdom on October First, 1960, there have been constant struggles for power. In 1966, a revolution led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, took over the government killing the Northern Premier Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Western Premier S. L. Akintola and the Federal Prime minister Alhaju Abubkar Tafawa Balewa. After much struggle, Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon became dictator. However, in 1967, Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu withdrew the eastern region of Nigeria from Nigeria, and declared it the independent republic of Biafra, and war breaks out again. From 1968 to 1970, the Federal government of Nigeria reclaimed the Biafran territory, and Col. Odemengwu Ojukwu fled the country. For about five years, peace settled on Nigeria. Then in 1975, leader Yakubu Gowon was overthrown in a bloodless coup. A coup is a sudden appropriation of leadership or power. Brig. Murtala Ramat Muhammed takes his place of supreme leadership. Shortly afterwards, the countrys capitol is relocated to Abuja, and the country is divided into 19 states. That same year, Muhammed was assassinated in another coup, which involved former dictator Yakubu Gowon. However, a new leader Lt. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo is put into position. In 1978, a new constitution is adopted by the then military government. A new House of Representatives, and Senate are elected, as is president Shehu Shagari, Nigerias first elected civilian president in about thirteen years. In the year 1982, the government expelled over two million non-Nigerians from the country. After President Shagari is reelected to the presidency in ...

Characteristics of Heart Urchins, or Sea Potatoes

Characteristics of Heart Urchins, or Sea Potatoes Heart urchins (also called spatangoid urchins or sea potatoes) get their name from their heart-shaped test, or skeleton. These are urchins in the order Spatangoida. Description Heart urchins are relatively small animals that are usually not more than a few  inches in diameter.  They look a little like a cross between an urchin and a sand dollar.  The oral surface (the bottom) of these animals is flat, while the aboral surface (the top) is convex, rather than dome-shaped like a normal urchin.   Like other urchins, heart urchins have spines covering their tests.  These spines may be a variety of colors, including brown, yellowish-brown, green, and red. The spines are used for movement, including helping the urchin burrow into the sand.  These urchins are also known as irregular urchins because they have an oval-shaped test, thus they are not round like typical urchins - such as the green sea urchin.   Heart urchins have tube feet  that extend from petal-shaped grooves in their test called ambulacral grooves. The tube feet are used for respiration (breathing).  They also have pedicellariae. The mouth (peristome) is located on the bottom of the urchin, toward the front edge.  Their anus (periproct) is located on the opposite end of their body.   Heart Urchin Relatives Heart urchins are animals in the Class Echinoidea, which means they are related to sea urchins and sand dollars. They are also  echinoderms, which means they belong to the same phylum as  sea stars  (starfish) and sea cucumbers. Classification Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: EchinodermataClass: Echinoidea Order:  Spatangoida Feeding Heart urchins feed by  using their  tube feet to gather organic particles in the sediment and in the water around them. The particles are then transported to the mouth. Habitat and Distribution Heart urchins may be found in various habitats, from shallow  tide pools and sandy bottoms to the deep sea. They are often found in groups. Heart urchins burrow in the sand, with their front end pointing downward. They may burrow as much as 6-8 inches  deep.  So that the heart urchin continues  to receive oxygen, their tube feed can continuously move the sand above them, creating a shaft of water. Heart urchins live primarily in shallow waters less than 160 feet deep, although they may be found in waters of up to 1,500 feet deep.  Since these are burrowing animals, heart urchins are not often seen alive, but their tests may wash ashore.   Reproduction There are male and female heart urchins. They reproduce sexually through external fertilization. During this process, males and females release sperm and eggs into the water. After an egg is fertilized, a  planktonic larvae forms, which eventually settles to the ocean bottom and develops into the heart urchin shape.   Conservation and Human Uses Threats to heart urchins can include pollution and trampling by beach visitors.   Sources Coloumbe, D. A. 1984. The Seaside Naturalist: a Guide to Study at the Seashore. Simon Schuster. 246pp.Marine Species Identification Portal. Red Heart Urchin. Interactive Guide to Caribbean Diving.Marshall Cavendish Corporation. 2004.  Encyclopedia of the Aquatic World.Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce. Heart Urchins.