Nigerians Living in Indiana

Here are some interesting numbers from the year 2000 Census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau:

There were 1528 Nigerians living in Indiana.

Median age: 24 years.

Average family size: 4.

559 of those 25 years old or over (total: 748) held a Bachelor's degree or higher.

888 were in the labor force (16 years and over).

Per capita income in 1999 (dollars): 37,195.

Individuals below poverty level: 187.

Opening the Bags

Click on the link to view a short film showing an "Open-the-Bag" ceremony in Niger.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRR1RvvW3ck&feature=channel_page

Gearing up for Nigeria - Adrienne Held

Why do I want to go to Africa? It's a question that my family and friends have been asking me since I announced that I had been chosen as part of the Purdue Extension PICS team to travel to Nigeria this summer. My answer- "Why not?". How often do we, as Extension Educators, get the opportunity to travel the world as part of our jobs? Not very often! Africa has always been a place that has intrigued me, but I never thought I'd have the opportunity to travel there, so when the opportunity presented itself, I made sure I applied. Going through the process of being a human pin cushion at the health center and the time away from my family and work will be a small price to pay for what is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was also worried about how I would handle the heat of Africa, but Mother Nature has been helping with that portion of the training here in recent weeks!
Like Bill, I've also been preparing for the trip. I also know that no matter what I read before I go, I won't really know what to expect until the plane lands in Kano.
I'm looking forward to the trip to Nigeria (only six short, fair filled weeks to go!) and sharing my experiences before, during, and after the trip!

A few thoughts from Bill Horan

I must say that I am VERY excited to be joining this PICS team and heading off to Nigeria in 44 days. We've already had our first set of vaccinations (4 or 5?) and we're due for a another day of pincushion-practice in July (second Hepatitus booster, and then the big Tetanus - OUCH!) So far the shots really haven't bothered me much.

To help me prepare for the trip, I've been busy trying to find as much info as I can about Nigeria: the history, culture, politics, and weather. Even though I spent time in Africa before, (Peace Corps - Tunisia - in the 1980's) the area south of the Sahara desert is a LOT different than North Africa. So I have a lot to learn in the coming month and a half.

Bill -

From West Lafayette to Northern Nigeria

Greetings to everyone at Purdue Extension, International Programs in Agriculture (IPIA), and to all of the friends and family of Extension, IPIA and Purdue University.

We've set up this little corner of the world wide web in an effort to have a meeting place for those interested in following along with the upcoming "Train-the-Trainer" program set for August 6-20 in northern Nigeria. Watch for posts before, during and after our time in Nigeria, as we plan to share our thoughts, emotions, pictures with you as the journey unfolds.

On behalf of Adrienne, Maria, Bill and Jeremy, we look forward to this wonderful opportunity to work alongside our fellow extensionists in Nigeria, and to represent Purdue University in West Africa.

To learn more about PICS, we encourage you to click on the Purdue PICS link located in the column to the right.

--Jim