NaijaPositive.com

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Nigerians are the Third Most Optimistic People In The World

A large international study has reported that after Kenya and Kosovo, Nigerians are the Third Most Optimistic People In The World.

URL: http://www.indexkosova.com/Publications/Pub_jan03.html

Kosova is not the most optimistic country in the world anymore.

Kenyans are the most optimistic citizens in the world according to the Gallup International annual End of Year Survey, which interviewed more than 67,500 people in 65 countries during November and December 2002. Kosovo has been the world's most optimistic country for the past 2 years, but this year they are eclipsed by the more than three quarters of Kenyans (77%) who feel 2003 will be a better year than 2002. Not surprising, when a new President and Government have just been elected after the previous regime's 24 year rule.

By contrast, in another African country 'Zimbabwe' is the most pessimistic citizens in the world by a long way, with almost three quarters of this country (72%) feeling that the coming year will be worse than 2002. Elsewhere, in Portugal two thirds (65%) are pessimistic about the coming year and predict that 2003 will be a year of economic difficulty (69%).

The difficult situation in Iraq is also reflected in the results, with 38 of the 65 countries included in the survey feeling that 2003 will be a troubled year with much international discord, particularly in the USA (60%) ad many of its closest allies with 64% of the British and 68% of Germans stating this.

Gloom also prevails in many countries across the world about the general and personal economic situation and employment prospects in the coming year, notably in several European countries such as Germany, Portugal, Ireland and Greece, but also in Korea and Japan.

The survey in Kosovo was conducted by Index Kosova, joint venture with BBSS Gallup International during November 2002, among 1,000 Albanian citizens and 500 Serb citizens of Kosovo, aged 18+ years. The survey in the field with Albanian respondents was conducted by Index Kosova, whereas with Serb respondents by BBSS Gallup International.

5 most optimistic countries in the world.
Kenya 77%
Kosovo 74%
Nigeria 68%
Turkey 67%
USA 64%

5 most pessimistic countries in the world.
Zimbabwe 72%
Portugal 65%
Guatemala 57%
Ecuador 52%
Greece 43%

Kosovo a year before and now

Kosovo was the most optimstic country in the world for the past two years, where the great majority of citizens were expressing optimistic about the coming year. However, this optimism marked a decreasing trend, which placed Kosovo this year into the second most optimistic country in the world. Compared to previous End of Year surveys in Kosovo, the survey this time covered Serb citizens of Kosovo as well. Although the level of optimism among Kosovar Albanians has suffered a decrease since last year, again the majority (77%) feel optimistic about 2003, whereas the overall level optimism in Kosovo is 74%, since Kosovar Serbs are far less optimistic than Kosovar Albanians (34%).

The drop of level of optimism is visible in the economic aspect as well, where the number of citizens who think that 2003 will be a year of economic prosperity is decreasing and the number of those who think that the situation will remain the same and that the new year will be a year of economic difficulty is increasing. Differences between Serbs and Albanians are very high. While 60% of Albanians believe that 2003 will be a year of economic prosperity, only 16% of Kosovar Serbs state this.

The decreasing trend of optimism related to economic development and prosperity is reflected in peopleâ??s predictions about the problem of unemployment in Kosovo. We have an increasing number of citizens who think that the number of unemployed in Kosovo is going to increase and a decreasing number of those who believe that the number of unemployed is going to fall. Again there are significant differences between two largest ethnic groups in Kosovo. In one hand, 44% of Albanians think that the number of unemployed in Kosovo is going to increase, while on the other hand, thi opinion is shared by 69% of Serbs.

Respondents answers to the End of Year Survey 2002 reveal that 78.6% of Kosovar citizens are not employed, whereas out of those who work 16.8% are full-time and 4.3% part-time employees. The results of the research also show that unemployment among Albanians is much higher (80%) than among Serbs (56%). Out of those that are employed, less than half (39%) think that their job is safe; Kosovar Albanians feel more safe in their working place (42%) than Kosovar Serbs (25%). Albanians also feel more certain (22%) then Serbs (8%) in finding a new job quickly if they become unemployed.

Possibilties of strikes and industrial disputes are all the time increasing from one year to another. While only 18% of respondents felt that strikes could increase in 2001, this percentage for 2002 was 24%, and for this year it has reached 33%. Again differences between Albanians and Serbs are considerable. While 31% of Albanians think that possibilties of strikes and industrial disputes will increase in the new year, this opinion is shared by 53% of Serbs.

In contrast to some Western countries, such as USA, United Kingdom and Germany, where more than half of citizens feel that 2003 will be a troubled year with much international discord, this concern is not so high in Kosovo (17%), although it is getting higher compared to previous years. Nevertheless, seen from the ethnic angle, then it comes out that Albanians are the ones that are not so much concerned about the international disputes in 2003 (15%), while on the other hand 40% of Kosovar Serbs think that 2003 will be a troubled year with much international discord.
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Link supplied by Professor Mobolaji Aluko.
It will be recalled that another large study conducted by other experts also reported Nigerians to be the "Happiest" people on earth. These and other independent international studies help to inform us about color=green]how many ordinary Nigerians within Nigeria actually view their current lives and their immediate future.[/color] I agree with our people at home. There Is Hope For Nigeria, There Is Hope for Africa!
Olamijulo S. K.

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

A commendable response.

I am very happy that these studies confirm what some of us have known for ages. Nigerians being very optimistic and the happiest people on earth! We should pat ourselves on the back for these qualities and thank God for giving us these sterling qualities.

In the early 90s when I was in graduate school, it was brought to my attention several times by the International Office that Nigerians carry themselves tall, confident and walk as if they own all the land. The head of the foreign students' section was particularly taken aback by the behavior of one Nigerian who is 5' 6" tall, a stature considered in America to be smallish. Wanda is 5' 10" tall, and this for a woman is more than average even in America. She said she looked like a 4 footer whenever this 5'6" Nigerian approaches her in her office. I gave a simple explanation as some were thinking that the way we carry ourselves is kind of arrogant etc. I told Wanda that Nigerians know that they can compete at any level no matter where and that they just could not feel inferior to anybody on the face of the whole earth. I gave an example of how we always challenge the police either in Nigeria or anywhere whenever we are stopped for anything.

This confirmation of our good-natured qualities will only lead to one thing, Nigeria will become an economic powerhouse soon. We are noted for persevering and we always see the good side of even the worst things. These qualities are necessary ingredients for huge breakthroughs. I just hope that my generation could witness these breakthroughs in our economy, food production, healthcare delivery, science and technology and communication. Then shall be confirmed what some of us have been singing, "Unto Lagos shall all Nigerians go and from Abuja shall good governance descend on the land".

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Jacob Ajayi
Dec. '03

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

It is already happening. Go to Lagos and see how people survive despite all the many hardships they face daily. If many other countries faced half of the daily grind of Nigerians they would be certified mental cases.

See how Agwunobi, the one man educationist sponsor of Yorubas in America and husband to the House of Othman Dan Fodio wanted to roast and kill Osita but after some bile splitting he throws in the hatchet and embraces Osita. That is the stuff Nigeria is made of and more.

It is this high passion and diversity that produces the very unique virtues that we read in this happy and optimism reports or surveys. The intellectual challenge is for us all to sustain the positive aspects of this our national outlook. This is imperative because it is also capable of causing the mother of all bloodsheds if we are not careful and we do not invest in good governance and peaceful co-existence.

There lies the challenge.

Up happy and optimistic people.

IBK
Dec. '03

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Comes now n/5n to rain on this parade.
(Nkem1, gird your loin cloth, this is right up your alley.)

Nigerians may be the "happiest and most optimistic" people in the world:
May be we need to pause slightly and look at the whole picture.

First of all poor, weak people usually tend to overcompensate by bluffing.
Especially if there are some low self esteem problems and even ignorance in the mix. I strongly believe there is a slightly self delusionary aspect to our cultural behavior.

Cxsm, I honestly don't know which Lagos you speak of. Most people in all strata that I encountered seemed to be all sweaty, brusque and unsmiling. (Except the Customs officers at MMA of course). I just didn't see it.

However, someone please tell Mr. Ajayi that economic powerhouses are not made merely by our "good natured " qualities. There are lots of other things that go in the mix, which unfortunately we seem not to know we lack. I don't even see how he makes his hopes about positive breakthroughs in his lifetime. The seeds for such were never even sown.
THESE THINGS JUST DON'T HAPPEN FROM WISHING OR FEEL GOOD STATEMENTS AND THEY SURELY DON"T HAPPEN WHEN HALF YOUR POPULATION IS ILLITERATE!!!

This is one of those feel good surveys that need to be taken with a grain of salt.

God bless Nigeria and God bless all of you!!

n/5n
12/11/03

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

n/5n,

The comments about Lagos were made by IBK and merely posted by me.

Optimism means having HOPE and if Nigerians are hopeful people then there's no need for argument.

The survey wasn't to measure their PRESENT disposition, (which we all are already aware of) it was merely to measure their optimism or level of hope about their immediate FUTURE.

A rich person with all the available conveniences of life IF hopeless is worse off than a poor suffering person with hope of a better tomorrow. Same reason some well-off people are known to have been known to self-destruct or commit suicide.

Hopeless people are the ones who commit suicide or give up on life, regardless of their material disposition, status and/or accomplishments.

Believing tomorrow will be a brighter day is what keeps most humans alive and hopeful. Optimism is what makes us go the extra mile.

Cxsm
11th Dec. '03
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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Then I'm in agreement with you.

n/5n
12/11/03

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

Maybe the fact that Nigerians have been found to be the most religious people in the world accounts for the hope they have, which makes them one of the most optimisitic countries in the world.

It has been said that "he who has God has everything". No one but God can give one inner peace and inner peace is a major contributor to happiness. No wonder Nigerians were found to be the happiest people in the world.

Cxsm
25th Mar. '04
_________________
May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

admin · Site Admin Joined: 25 May 2007 Posts: 5404

For all the good God has in store for Nigeria, I say a big Amen!

The resilience we posses, no one can take away from us.
Mistakes we've made, Yes. Even great ones, but we have the ability to choose to refrain from the steps we took or didn't take that led us to where we presently are, and the smart minds we possess is what we need to fine tune, in order to awake from misplaced trust, our idleness and complacency, so we can embrace a positive path of recovery.

Cxsm
25th Mar.'04

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May we be strengthened with the ability, willingness and capabilities to be good ambassadors of Nigeria contributing to its uplifting, rather than its detriment. - Cxsm