Request for Nigeria local board

[DdmrDdmr]

<…>

I can tell you how one such board is structured: The Spanish local board.
Spanish is vastly spoken by people in Spain and latam (with some wording differences). As such, the local board is the same for all, although there are four inner marketplace subboards that are based on a geographical areas.

Spain itself has more than one official language (some regions within officially have two languages), being the main official languages Catalan, Basque and Galego. These three bear their own thread in "other languages/locations", and are not currently defined as subboards within the Spanish local board. It is therefore essentially language based, not geographically.

That does not mean that all language situations need to follow the same pattern. Nigeria’s official language is English, but it seems a pretty complex country on the whole in terms of languages (see https://worldpopulationreview.com/languages/nigeria). I figure that a strong cultural common background and geographical area, and a demand from many members could constitute a valid candidacy to consider, whatever the outcome.

[Pmalek]

Local Board is a place for bad English speakers

I don't agree with this statement. I am comfortable with writing and reading in English and I even watch movies with English subtitles, not a translation to my local language. But I still like to visit my local board and post and communicate with people that come from the same region that I come from. But I would agree that the local board is irreplaceable for users who don't speak English and have no other way to acquire information and guidance about crypto.

China has their own local board and ban the use of crypto assets in their country. It is even always surprising that China mine 75% of total Bitcoin in 2019, while China still mined 65% of total Bitcoin in 2020.

China hasn't banned bitcoin or the mining of bitcoin. They banned ICO's, and it's illegal for their citizens to take part in such activities.

[Charles-Tim]

China hasn't banned bitcoin or the mining of bitcoin. They banned ICO's, and it's illegal for their citizens to take part in such activities.

I think you should read this quote below, Nigeria too ban cryptocurrencies in such way. Exchanges are the platforms linking banks to crypto users accounts on exchanges in order to make crypto purchase easier. Although, this is strongly discouraged on this forum but many people still are not concerned about such privacy and make use of custodial exchanges for crtpto purchase.

Cryptocurrency-related activities have received little tolerance from the Chinese government. Initial coin offerings (ICO) were banned in China in September 2017. Exchange platforms that traded cryptocurrencies or provided facilitation services were also ordered to be closed following the crackdown on ICO.

I remember binance head quarter was originally located in China before move to Japan because of the restriction.

Binance was initially based in China, but later moved out of China due China's increasing regulation of cryptocurrency.

“As regards our recent policy pronouncement, it is important to clarify that the CBN circular of February 5, 2021 did not place any new restrictions on cryptocurrencies, given that all banks in the country had earlier been forbidden, through CBN’s circular dated January 12, 2017, not to use, hold, trade and/or transact in cryptocurrencies.

“Indeed, this position was reiterated in another CBN press release dated February 27, 2018.”

Cryptocurrencies are not also banned in Nigeria, only it is restricted for banks not to support any crypto institution. Mining and other can still be done, p2p also is still legal in Nigeria.

[Upgrade00]

In my opinion, the legality of Bitcoin in a country should not really matter to the forum or whether or not a particularly locality should have a  local board. No government can ban Bitcoin, they can only attempt to restrict its usage using local exchanges and banks. But, the entire idea of Bitcoin is a decentralized network, so there would still be Nigerian and Chinese users irrespective of legal actions taken by the government.
Bitcoin does not bend to regulations, neither should bitcointalk.

[Igebotz]

Does the forum create board according to locations or are they dependent on language? What are the official language in Nigeria and do many members speak that language?
I see some boards on languages, not places.

Nigeria is a populated country made up of 4 major Ethnics; Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, within these ethnics there are  371+ tribes and over 500+ spoken local dialects. The Northern and Western part of the country don't speak and understand English fluently. The only common means of communication is pidgin English; Every child, every ethnic every tribe write and understands pidgin. This is the reason we want a local board where we can learn crypto, communicate and build unity on a widespread ground

[skarais]

I don't agree with this statement. I am comfortable with writing and reading in English and I even watch movies with English subtitles, not a translation to my local language. But I still like to visit my local board and post and communicate with people that come from the same region that I come from.

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to offend anyone about what I said.

But I would agree that the local board is irreplaceable for users who don't speak English and have no other way to acquire information and guidance about crypto.

As I meant earlier. Not everyone can speak and understand foreign language ​​fluently and local board are a place for them to absorb information about crypto. I believe the local board will be of great use to them and there are also no limit and limit for good English speakers to contribute there too.

[Oshosondy]

As I meant earlier. Not everyone can speak and understand foreign language ​​fluently and local board are a place for them to absorb information about crypto. I believe the local board will be of great use to them and there are also no limit and limit for good English speakers to contribute there too.

You are right by your comment, local board is a means of providing means many people from your country can get access to more information online from posting activities in local board. But if we check this from another angle, local board does not suppose to necessarily mean posting in local languages. Let me make an example, central bank of Nigeria ban cryptocurrencies now, local board will be a good board for Nigerians to discuss what they can do in a way they can bypass the central bank of Nigeria and yet still making use of cryptocurrencies and fiat together, we know p2p is the next in line but they will be able to discuss the best p2p to be used in Nigeria or which are best in Nigeria at this time on their local baord. It can be in English or Pigin like they said, but the information discussion in their local baord will be able to become more accessible to people broswing from Nigeria.

[Mpamaegbu]

• On a micro level, there are news and updates that would be useful to the Nigerian community, but not so to the rest of the world. Having a board to post such is a welcome development in my opinion.

This is unarguably true and best reinforces the axiom — No one knows where the shoe pinches, but he who wears it." We know the peculiarity of our Nigerian environment and the issues therein that either excite or sadden. Having a local board for Nigerians (we are the largest active crypto users on the continent of Africa, BTW) will enable us increase awareness of crypto usage, and drag more traffic to this forum too. It's not for fun that CZ Binance added the Naira trading pairs to his platform — Binance. CZ is smart enough to capitalize on the strength of the Nigerian population and financial capacity where trading is concerned. Despite the recent but senseless ban on crypto activities in Nigeria by the inept CBN, CZ still leaves BTC/NGN and USDT/NGN pairs on for the reason he knows that losing the Nigeria clientele will mean a huge blow to his business.

I, therefore, together with my compatriots, urge theymos to grant us this long overdue request for a local board. We remain humble in request.

[stompix]

2. If, Admin agrees, if the government prohibits the Nigerian community from using crypto, especially Bitcoin and blocks all banks, automatically the Nigerian local board will die.[/b]

Wait a minute, are you saying that if a government prohibits the use of crypto, nobody in those countries will be interested in crypto?
So, governments could kill bitcoin usage? We have found an infidel here it seems. Grab the pitchforks.

These are some other reasons why Nigeria local board should be created, there are roughly about 1M+ Nigerians here on the forum( if I'm wrong I'll eat crow) out of the 3M total active users.

Ketchup or Mayo? First, there are 3 million accounts (not users) and not all are active, only 266,858 accounts were active in the last 3 months, so probably rather than 1 million the number close to reality would be under 10 000.

This being said I think Theymos will act only once the topics there get increased activity, so far neither Bangladesh nor Pakistan have been granted a board of their own still pretty weird that the topic for Nigeria is not pinned at least, that would get it a bit more exposure for certain and it's an easy thing to do.
Anyhow, good luck with the request.

[Oshosondy]

This being said I think Theymos will act only once the topics there get increased activity, so far neither Bangladesh nor Pakistan have been granted a board of their own still pretty weird that the topic for Nigeria is not pinned at least, that would get it a bit more exposure for certain and it's an easy thing to do.
Anyhow, good luck with the request.

The Nigerian local thread as being active since, maybe theymos do not check local board for other languages often, we suppose to have requested for that at first, but we see it not needed because the two Nigeria threads (Nigerian Bitcointalk Community Hangout and African Proverbs in Pidgin) are the ones constantly on the top list after the pinned local threads. And we think now that is high time to have a local board because of he increase activities we have on Nigeria local threads. We wish theymos to listen to request and Grant us one.

[Mpamaegbu]

Given that so many people there spoke English, would it not die or have little activity in the long run ?

Nigerians love the flavour of pidgin English. It's an easier language that endears Nigerian to one another far ahead of English language. So, the board won't die once started. Rather, it will increase discussions therein as more home developments will be centre of discourse.

2. If, Admin agrees, if the government prohibits the Nigerian community from using crypto, especially Bitcoin and blocks all banks, automatically the Nigerian local board will die.

Thank you for your wish for us to have a board towards the end of your post. But your fear that the senseless ban on crypto by the Nigerian CBN (which will eventually be reverted) will cause the local board to be abandoned if granted is unfounded. There are several countries where crypto is banned but their local boards are still active. BTW, the CBN ban won't affect p2p activities. It's only bank accounts linked to crypto stuff that may be affected. A lot of Nigerians are into p2p more than direct bank transactions.

[Becky666]

First and foremost, thanks to everyone who have contributed to this discussion of we Nigerians having a local board on this exalted Bitcoin museum platform. We're Nigerians, different from the rest of the world in terms of technology, though very slow to engage in new technologies doesn't mean we can't build a formidable force(sometimes the government does unusual to her citizens). Currently, the Nigeria Local Board (community hangout) has been in existence since March 17, 2019 and has more than 36+ active users and there are some who aren't interested to join until the local board be achieve.

Probably this discussion shouldn't pose difficulties before approve IMO becasue the Nigeria second largest language is the Pidgin English, meanwhile there are 9 major regional languages in Nigeria which are:- Yoruba, Edo, Kanuri, Ijaw Hausa, Igbo, Efik, Fulani, Idoma. Also, let not forget that there are 528 languages spoken in Nigeria, including some that have no known native speakers; and what bind us together is the Pidgin English which is the reason we are agitating for Local Board to harness the beauty of this great Africa Country withing the forum. Learn more about the Us.

I appeal to all necessary authorities saddling with the responsibility of local board approval to consider the request of the Nigerians and give us a local board now that the CBN has started their ranting on Bitcoin lovers, we need trusted individuals to trade with within the forum and good and trusted escrow within the local Board also, please!.

[Wenbing]

In addition to what Charles_Tim had aired out, Nigerians are one of the most active users in the bitcointailk forum that had contributed positively for her development, in the recent time, we have about 500+ active members if I'm not mistaken and we keep having new members that comes in on a regular basis and more to be coming.

I came across similar thread long time ago by a user requesting same for Nigerian local board, I came to realize that Nigerians infact African as a whole weren't active enough to form a community at that time, now we have accumulated up to 520 replies and 11722 views with up to 27 pages in our community hangout discussing crypto related topics in our understood pidgin language at the moment.

My explanations above might not be convincing enough but it shows some slight improvement more than before, It's high time we get what we are requesting for.

Edit:
Here are some active Nigerian members in the forum,[members upward]

S/N		Active users		Rank
______		________________________________		_______________________________________
1.		CryptopreneurBrainboss		Legendary
2.		Becky666		Full member
3.		Mpamaegbu		Sr member
4.		Yourhomeboy		Member
5.		Sharon121212		Full member
6.		Upgrade00		Hero member
7.		Leonardo7		Member
8.		nelson4lov		Hero Member
9.		Soldierswitlittlefaith		Member
10.		Gozie51		Sr Member
11.		posi		Hero Member
12.		Charles-Tim		Sr Member
13.		Josefjix		Member
14.		Alobo Realer		Member
15.		Maestro75		Full member
16.		BIT-BENDER		Sr Member
17.		Oshosondy		Full member
18.		gabbie2010		Sr Member
19.		Lordhermes		Sr Member
20.		GeorgeJohn		Full member
21.		Smartvirus		Full member
22.		Traderbtcc		Full member
23.		abdulodoi		Member
24.		awawo		Member
25.		Fivestar4everMVP		Sr Member
26.		Miaallen		Member
27.		Blackpussy		Member
28.		BIN-BIN		Member
29.		ololajulo		Sr Member
30.		CryptocurencyKing		Full member
31.		Crptomagma		Member
32.		Onuohakk		Member
33.		Pokapoka124		Member
34.		thereader		Member
35.		igehhh		Full Member
36.		Lmaooo		Member
37.		Coyster		Hero Member

I am a Nigerian 🇳🇬

[posi]

Aside from the number of bitcoin and crypto activities done by the Nigerians last year, a lot has been said about the reason why Theymos should give the Nigerians (which I'm included) their own local board. I believe giving us the local board as a token amidst the Central Bank restriction will make a lot of us happy and feel cared for in the crypto community.

2. If, Admin agrees, if the government prohibits the Nigerian community from using crypto, especially Bitcoin and blocks all banks, automatically the Nigerian local board will die.[/b]

First, this is a short restrict and I believe an amendment will be done soon. However a lot of people misunderstand the restriction concept. The Central Bank does not prohibited Nigerian community from using crypto ( it not even possible in the first place), they only banned regulated institutions, banks etc from dealing with crypto currency or facilitate payment for crypto exchange. Here is the circular

[Wenbing]

I support the need for Nigeria local board for many noble and credible reasons.
Before stating the reasons, we should know that Nigeria is one of the leading countries in Africa in terms of crypto usage and adoption.

Here are the reasons.

1. We need to regulate our community. Since there are many players in this space, we need to introduce authentication to the crypto transaction. One of best approaches is the establishment of local board. This will help to facilitate exchange and members of the platform will acts as escrow.

2. We need to build a TRUST SYSTEM in our crypto system. Hence, we need a local to act as a trust system.

3. I am a copywriter as such many in Nigeria like CryptopreneaurBrainboss and others may need my services either to write copies, do research or write a whitepaper. We have other experts that are good in many other skills that can be valuable for everyone in the community.

Hence, I support 💯 % the establishment of a Nigeria local board.

[Pmalek]

Guys, several days have passed and a lot has been said already. I suggest you appoint one person you all trust in the Nigerian section and have that person communicate with either Cyrus or theymos. Check how other local forums look, and talk amongst yourselves to determine which sections you would like to have. After you reach an agreement amongst yourselves, have your appointee PM one of the two admins with details of the agreement you reached. Include reasons why you believe you deserve your own local and hope for the best.

[CryptopreneurBrainboss]

Hope I'm not late to the party, I just want to use this opportunity to publicly decare my support for this initiative of nigerians having their local board. In a time like this that the government are trying to sabotage the growth of the industry in the country, I think it'll be of great interest if the community is given support to the nigerian bitcoin (cryptocurrency in general) enthusiast. We're not asking for too much but a board that will bond us together. As outlined in the OP, Bitcoin discussion, altcoin discussion and off topic board will be a great start.

With time as the community increase other board can be added. We do have the number but they're scattered around the forum. This board will not only be used for communicating in the forum but also to help, guide newbie coming into the industry (forum). I was given the opportunity to manage one of the just concluded USDT bounty and from my observation there are hundreds of nigerians on that section of the forum. I'm pretty sure most would be net positive to the forum if the right guidance are given and all that can be achieved with our board.

It's becoming frustrating because if I can remember clearly we have been asking for this board from years back, now I think we have the numbers and It'll be a thing of joy if our request is been considered. The office language would be pidgin (if you visit our hangout thread, you'll noticed our communication there is mostly in pidgin). The thread is becoming less active because of the disappointed of our request not been approved but we'll keep asking until our request is guaranteed.

[Mpamaegbu]

As outlined in the OP, Bitcoin discussion, altcoin discussion and off topic board will be a great start.

Pmalek, I guess that above 👆 answers your advice on "talk amongst yourselves to determine which sections you would like to have"

The truth is that we have the numbers, not just on the Africa continent as the most populated country but also here on the forum (though I don't know the accurate number here). There are many Nigerians scattered across this forum and we need to bring everyone on board in a microcosm to maintain our unity on this Bitcoin story to further advance its awareness and show of solidarity to other Nigerians who may be panicking at a time like this with that senseless ban on cryptocurrencies from the Nigeria political bank — CBN.

I am sure theymos would've seen this thread. We await him doing the needful. Nigerians are an enterprising lot. Only our politicians are lazy and wicked. Those of us here are not the politicians.

[Oshosondy]

Guys, several days have passed and a lot has been said already. I suggest you appoint one person you all trust in the Nigerian section and have that person communicate with either Cyrus or theymos.

That is what has not yet been done, but hopefully we are going to message theymos and also Cyrus. I may later bring this up in Nigeria local board. With the increasing activities our forum is having, I think there will be a time theymos will found good reasons to give we Nigerians local board because we really need it for more transparency about trades among us and for guild about how to use cryptocurrencies safely Nigeria.

[gabbie2010]

The clamour for having a Nigerian Local Board in the forum is justifiable now that the CBN had placed an outright ban on cryptocurrency exchanges that singular act had consequently gave rise to a lot of fradulent and scam P2P, I was a victim of such a P2P scam yesterday however the approval of our local board will enable the Nigerian community to establish and create our own P2P transactions services using some trusted members like CryptopreneurBrainboss,  Mpamaegbu, Charles-Tim and other trusted members as escrew thus transact without any fear and possibly encourage other Nigerin members to use our community P2P service just like other escrewed services.