The personal name, on the other hand, is for the most part of parental choice; and as parents usually take an indulgent view of the defects and weaknesses of their offspring, we should not expect to find among our prenomens many of uncomplimentary character. Some such, however, there undoubtedly are; for instance, Giddy, Dirty, Faint, Fearful, Musty, Shady, Singular, Stubborn, Tempestuous, and Troublesome are all recorded names. It will be conjectured that the infants thus styled must have fallen into hands other than those of their natural guardians. One name on the list is capable of the same interpretation as many other prenominal absurdities.

As the examples of the drug smuggler who returned to Nigeria after a long prison sentence in the United States and the 419er who failed in his bid to become governor suggest, the fate of a criminal in Nigerian society depends a lot on how much money he has and how he spends it.

So little do we fear , you slug you

a canny horse