traders could sit down in the row with th merchandise. Passengers could also sle and prepare their meals on board. The use canoes in large numbers and for commerc purposes was predominant in the estuar and lagoons along the coast, the Niger and t Benue rivers and on Lake Chad. (Excerpt from History of Nigeria 1, by Falola al., pp. 145-146)

It appears that the excerpt you've provided has some incomplete words, likely due to formatting or scanning issues. Here's a reconstructed version of the text based on the context: --- **Reconstructed Excerpt:** "Traders could sit down in the row with the merchandise. Passengers could also sleep and prepare their meals on board. The use of canoes in large numbers and for commercial purposes was predominant in the estuaries and lagoons along the coast, the Niger and the Benue rivers, and on Lake Chad. (Excerpt from *History of Nigeria 1*, by Falola et al., pp. 145-146)" --- **Summary and Context:** This excerpt from *History of Nigeria 1* by Toyin Falola and colleagues discusses the historical use of canoes in Nigeria for trade and transportation. Key points include: 1. **Trading Practices:** Traders would organize themselves with their merchandise, indicating a structured approach to commerce on waterways. 2. **Passenger Comfort:** Passengers had the ability to sleep and prepare meals on these boats, suggesting that long-distance travel by canoe was feasible and somewhat comfortable. 3. **Prevalence of Canoes:** Canoes were extensively used for both commercial and possibly personal transportation. Their prevalence in estuaries, lagoons, major rivers like the Niger and Benue, and Lake Chad highlights the centrality of waterways in the economic and social life of the region. **Historical Significance:** Waterways have historically been vital for trade, communication, and transportation in Nigeria. The Niger and Benue rivers, being two of the largest in the country, played a crucial role in the movement of goods and people. The use of canoes and other boats facilitated trade not only along the coast but also inland towards Lake Chad, fostering economic interconnectivity among various communities and regions. If you have any specific questions or need further information about this topic, feel free to ask!