DISCOVER NIGERIA: What Independence Means To Me.
By Nehi Igbinijesu. At the beginning of the 1950s, agitations had begun to fill the ears of London. England like almost every other European colonialist had suffered the harsh economic impact of two world wars. It was fitting at this time for Europe to shed responsibility for its colonies. West Africa was no different. Ghana’s […]
DISCOVER NIGERIA: LAGOS – Once Upon A British Colony
By Nehi Igbinijesu. Lagos became a crown colony of the British Empire in 1861. Before that time, the British government had perfected its colony administration system of administration in the West Indies and in India. And so, it did not take any time to set up its typical crown colony administration in Lagos. By October […]
DISCOVER NIGERIA: In A Little Town Called Odi.
By Nehi Igbinijesu. On the 20th of November 1999, the Nigerian Army, under the direction of President Obasanjo, carried out an attack on a largely Ijaw town of Odi in Bayelsa State. The attack was instigated when twelve policemen were murdered by a gang near the town. And in pursuit of those responsible, the military […]
DISCOVER NIGERIA: The Day Sam Okwaraji Died!
By Nehi Igbinijesu. For many football lovers 12 August, 1989 was a day to look forward to. It was a day when Nigeria would commence its qualification bid for the 1990 World Cup at the National Stadium, Surulere. According to the Confederation for African Football (CAF), attendance was put at an estimated 100,000 people. And […]
DISCOVER NIGERIA: The Eid El Kabir Of 1985
By Nehi Igbinijesu. It was Eid El Kabir morning on the 27th August, 1985, when the fearful blare of general purpose machine guns filled the air around Dodan Barracks. A mutiny had been in the offing. Nigeria’s strongman at the time, General Muhammadu Buhari had been ousted in a bloodless palace coup led by Major […]
DISCOVER NIGERIA: David Omueya Dafinone: The Patriarch Of The World’s Largest Family Of Accountants
By Nehi Igbinijesu. On the 12th of March 1927, David Omueya Dafinone was born in Sapele, Southern Nigeria. He attended Government School, Benin from 1934 to 1938 and Edo College from 1939 to 1942. He however completed his secondary education at the famous Abeokuta Grammar School where he emerged as the overall best student in […]
DISCOVER NIGERIA: A Bloodbath In Benin.
By Nehi Igbinijesu. On the 9th of February 1897, the invasion of the Benin Kingdom began. Popularly referred to by historians as “The Benin Massacre”, the British launched an invasion on Benin in retaliation of the annihilation of a Benin –bound British military expedition led by Lieutenant James Robert Phillips (RN) on the 4th of […]
DISCOVER NIGERIA: The Man Who Solved A 361 Year Old Problem
By Nehi Igbinijesu. On the 13th of March, 2008, foremost mathematician and nationalist, Professor Chike Obi, CFR, passed away at the age of 87. Born Chike Edozien Umezei Obi, in Zaria on 17th April 1921, he lived a very accomplished life. In 1950, he became the first Nigerian to bag a PhD in Mathematics from […]
Discover Nigeria: The National Anthem “Arise O’ Compatriots”
By Nehi Igbinijesu. Prior to the independence of Nigeria, the anthem of the United Kingdom was sung at national events and ceremonies. As implied, the “God Save the Queen “anthem eulogized the British Monarch and was unreflective of the deep-seated aspirations of a “soon-to-be” free Nigeria. Along with the many relics of colonialism handed down […]
Discover Nigeria: Once Upon A Time In Lagos
Did you know that Lagos was at one time a colony of the Benin Kingdom ruled by Edo viceroys? Conquered by Oba Orhogbua, son of Oba Esigie sometime in the sixteenth century, Lagos was originally called “Eko” by the Binis meaning, war camp. History has it that the Bini Invasion of Dahomey and modern-day Togo (in today’s Benin Republic) were largely planned and executed from Eko.
Discover Nigeria: The Bola Kuforiji-Olubi Triumph
History has it that Nigerian women have triumphed in societal life more than today’s womenfolk would like to agree. Gender activism and Pro-woman movements have successfully peddled a notion that Nigerian women have not been fairly treated in the quadrangles of religion, politics, workplace and even at home.
Discover Nigeria: The Greatest Boxer, Dick Tiger
“One, Two, Three… Ten”, the referee cried, as the bell went off, signaling the end of the bout. It was the tenth round. And this boxing match had lingered an age in Rubin “Hurricane” Carter’s mind. He had been felled three times by this African from Nigeria in front of a home crowd at Madison Square Garden, New York.
Discover Nigeria: Much Ado About Ademola Adetokunbo
If you have ever been to Victoria Island in Lagos, or to Wuse in Abuja, it is almost certain that you would have lavishly found some many semblances between both locations in their respective cities. Dotted by prime housing, banks, eateries and shopping malls, Victoria Island and Wuse share deeper commonality- major roads named after one Adetokunbo Ademola.