E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, One

When people look to establish, maintain, or enhance relationships with others, finding common ground is critical to achieving that goal. Differences in race, religion, gender, etc. are often easier to see than similarities, and they can become significant obstacles to forging an effective relationship. Regardless of the type of relationship, an understanding of each other's background and identity is vital towards finding that common ground.
The same can be said for relationships between nations. Each nation brings to the table its own background and identity made up of various historical, cultural, and socioeconomic elements. Since differences in these various elements can drive a wedge between two nations, a concerted effort to understand each other's identity and motivation is critical to forging a strong and lasting relationship.

Although there are significant differences between the United States and Nigeria, there are also many similarities:

• Each nation is a former British colony that has survived a civil war
• Each nation is now a federal constitutional republic with a president, senate, and House of Representatives
• Each nation is made up of multiple states with a federal zone containing the nation's capital
•  Each nation is rich in natural resources and is one of the 10 most populous countries in the world
• Each is a nation where the primary language is English but whose population is made up of multiple ethnic groups, many with their own language and culture

In the coming months, we will post a series of articles that explore various states and cities across the United States. Through an examination of the various elements that define the identities of these cities and states, we hope that our Nigerian friends will see similarities in their own.