By Nehi Igbinijesu
Happy new month! I hope your New Year resolutions are still as intact as mine are? The month of February in Nigeria’s history is a very remarkable one. And I believe it holds more promise than January did. To start the month, we have picked five outstanding events to help you become familiar with our country’s history. Here they are:
The Super Falcons’ debut
In their first ever international friendly, our Super Falcons trounced their Ghanaian counterparts 5-1 on February 16, 1991.
Kalakuta Republic razed
On 18 February 1977, a communal compound located at 14 Agege Motor Road, Idi- Oro Lagos was burnt to the ground by members of the Nigerian military. The place was known as Kalakuta Republic and had been Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s residence for almost a decade at the time. During the attack, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Fela’s mother was thrown out of a first floor window. She died eight weeks after. The razing of Kalakuta was a backlash from Fela’s record, Zombie which criticized Nigeria’s military government.
Niger Delta Republic declared Independence
On 23 February 1966, the Isaac Adaka Boro –led Niger Delta Volunteer Force declared the independence of Niger Delta Republic from Nigeria. Having led student protests at the University of Nigeria Nsukka against the exploitation of oil resources in the Niger Delta, which benefitted the Federal Government and the Eastern Regional Government, Boro clamoured for a fairer share of the oil proceeds to be given the Ijaw people. Though quelled by Federal Forces after 12 days of intense fighting, the Boro-led secession was the first significant quest for resource control by the minorities of South-South Nigeria.
The Miracle of Dammam
On 25 February 1989, in a quarterfinal match of the World Youth Championship in Dammam , Saudi Arabia, our Flying Eagles pulled back from a 4-0 deficit to the USSR in a keenly contested encounter. Thirty minutes to full time, Christopher Ohenhen scored the first goal and followed up with a brace fifteen minutes after. Samuel “Prophet” Elijah scored the third goal in the 83rd minute and skipper. Nduka Ugbade drew level in the 84th minute to end the match in a draw. The Flying Eagles went on to win the match 5-3 via penalties.
Usman dan Fodio, first Caliph of Sokoto
Ever wondered why Sokoto is referred to as a Caliphate and not a Sultanate? Well, it started out a Caliphate on 21 February 1804 when its first Caliph, Imam Usman dan Fodio was installed. Usman dan Fodio, Amir al Mumuni (Commander of the Faithful) is attributed with prosecuting a holy war that brought Islam to most of Northern Nigeria. The title “Sultan” replaced the previous “Caliph” title in the early 1900s when the British took over Sokoto.
Have an awesome February!
Joy Ehonwa is an editor and a writer who is passionate about relationships and personal development. She runs Pinpoint Creatives, a proofreading, editing, transcription and ghostwriting service.
Email: pinpointcreatives [at] yahoo.com
Imagine a magical forest where ancient trees touch the sky, sacred shrines peek through lush vegetation, and the gentle sound of a river whispers stories from centuries past. This enchanting place exists in Nigeria, and it’s called the Osun-Osogbo sacred grove. Read more about Discover Nigeria Forest That Time Almost Forgot Just outside the … Continue reading Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove – A Living Connection to Ancient Traditions
Kelechi Ndukwe, a Nigerian-American naval officer, has become the first Nigerian to reach the rank of Navy captain in the United States, marking a significant milestone in history. Read more about Discover Nigeria Kelechi Ndukwe’s achievement was made public to Nigerians on X (formerly Twitter) by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) … Continue reading Kelechi Ndukwe Makes History as the First Nigerian to Become US Navy Captain
Have you ever heard of a village that floats on water? It might sound like something from a fairy tale, but it’s real! Let’s talk about Makoko, a special place in Lagos, Nigeria. Makoko is often called the “Venice of Africa” because, like Venice in Italy, it has lots of waterways instead of roads. … Continue reading Makoko: The Floating Village of Lagos
Located in the heart of Nigeria lies the ancient city of Kano, renowned for its rich history and vibrant culture. One of Kano’s most fascinating and lesser-known treasures is its ancient Kano dye pits. These dye pits are over 500 years old, making them one of the oldest dyeing centres in Africa. In this … Continue reading Did You Know? Nigeria’s Ancient Kano Dye Pits