LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Benin: Niger River
built 640 days ago
While it is common to emphasize the continuity of art and culture in traditional societies, Benin's development was far from static. Contact with the neighboring Yoruba groups, the introduction of Christianity and Islam and the formation of the nation of Nigeria impacted the arts. Although the kingdom of Benin ended in 1897, the Oba continues to commission art to inspire public loyalty and pride, as well as preserve historical memory during the changes of 20th century Nigeria.
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Lagos’ population of 15 million –- more than double the total population of Benin –- is only 100 kilometers away from Cotonou. Beninese entrepreneurs profit from smuggling and re-exporting products on which Nigeria has imposed import duties or restrictions. The most profitable business in Nigeria for Beninese is in used cars. Other good bet items for Beninese traders are frozen foods, rice, used cars, textiles, and vegetable oil but a recent Nigerian crackdown on illegal smuggling has severely hurt the livelihoods of the large section of the Beninese population that benefit either directly or indirectly from this activity. Moreover, an overvalued CFA relative to the Naira has meant that re-exported Beninese goods are too expensive for Nigerians to buy, further lessening the incentive for smugglers to try and get their goods across. Negotiations are underway to allow goods produced in Benin to be exported to Nigeria while still restricting products coming from Asia or Europe.
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After the fall of Benin in 1897, the British set apart Warri Province, to punish the Oba of Benin and curb his imperial power. The Benin monarchy was restored in 1914, but true power lay with the colonial administration of Nigeria.
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As part of efforts to avoid a repeat of its experience on border issues with Cameroon, Nigeria has started the re-demarcation of its borderline with Benin. Apart from their maritime boundary, Nigeria and Benin share a 770km land boundary. Director-General of the Nigerian National Boundary Commission, Sadiq Diggi, said that the new boundary demarcation would clearly define the territorial limits of the two nations and ensure an enduring peace in the border communities.
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Along with the powerful Dahomean kingdom, a range of other nations inhabited the area that would become the Republic of Benin. Of note were the Ketu, Icha, Dassa, Anago, and other sub-groups of the Yoruba-speaking people. These groups were in close contact with related sub-groups in present-day Nigeria, and were often enemies of the Dahomeans. However, some were ... citizens of Dahomey and, in regions such as present-day Porto Novo, both groups inter-married.
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A symbolic ceremony took place marking Benin's territory in line with a 2005 decision of the International Court of Justice [ICJ] at the Hague. The court, in its ruling on border disputes in the Niger river valley between the Benin and Niger, granted Benin 9 islands and Niger 16 islands. [PANA 14/08/07]
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