With the economic downturn, money has never seemed more important to Nigerians as it is today. Everyone is concerned about money: how to get it, how to spend it, where to spend it, and how to save it. No doubt money is important – it allows us to do and have more things than we can without it – and has become a vital element in our lives but the fact remains that some of the best things in life are free.

Nigeria, as a country, offers a number of assets to treasure…and these, money cannot buy. From a rich heritage to a public holiday every October 1st, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking portal, has come up with 5 important things Nigeria  offers it people for free.

A rich heritage

Nigeria has a rich and peculiar heritage that is shared by every single citizen of the country.  With  multiple ethnic groups, the country hosts diverse cultures  embodied in over 250 ethnic groups and expressed in about 521 languages.

Nigerians not only benefit from the knowledge gained from these customs and tradition; they are imbued with a way of life that ensures that they excel in almost any other part of the world. They also have a variety in terms of cuisines and the traditional attires feed the fashion industry of today.

A government for the people

Nigerians enjoy a government of the people, for the people, by the people and this could in no way have been bought. In Nigeria, as it is in every other nation of the world, there are people who would argue that the government is not the best.

Unlike certain countries where the individuals have no say and their resources are completely owned by the government, Nigeria can practices their fundamental human rights freely and have the authority to elect and impeach any government official they chose. Again, their opinions channeled through the media are duly considered and incorporated where relevant.

A measure of peace

Absolute peace is not something that has been achieved in any part of the world. Most governments around the world have spent major sums of money over the years in the name of “peace”, but have been unable to achieve it.

Despite the Terrorist attack in the Northern parts of the country, you can say that Nigeria enjoys a measure of peace as there is a proper handle of gun control, drug possession and other crimes. Its people  also  act fairly, and humanely, treating others as we would want to be treated.

The sound of rainfall

Unlike most popular countries across the world who have four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn, Nigeria has just two – rainy and dry season.

A lot may not consider the sound of the rains as something worthwhile, but there are people in some parts of the world who rarely hear it.  They suffer bouts of drought year in year out and have no access to water. Others do get the rains, but sparingly and so agriculture is not considered possible export for them. Nigerians enjoy the rains for free and the sound of the rain pellets hitting the roots and exhuming the fresh scent of rich earth is not something that money can buy.

Public holiday on the 1st of October

Nigeria is the only country in the world that gives its citizen the day off on October 1stevery year. That is certainly something money certainly cannot buy. The day set aside for celebrating the country’s independence, features festivities and fireworks around the nation.

Basically, it is a day of merriment for the people. And for those in the civil service, you still earn your salary for the day!

– Ndem Nkem