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Nigeria is officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is located in the western part of Africa. One of the most interesting parts of the Nigerian history is the fact that the most populous country in Africa was formed by the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates by Lord Lugard in 1914. This article sheds more light on some of the most memorable events that had transpired in the Nigerian history before and after the country was formed. History and events shape the future of any great nation, so read and discover the memorable incidences that have occurred since the inception of the largest country in Africa. Notable Facts About Nigerian History 1. The Yoruba and the Kingdom of Nri Even though the Yoruba was the first major tribal group in the nation, the kingdom of Nri was the first established monarchy in the history of Nigeria. Nri was the originator of the Igbo culture which was a major influential group in the region after its establish

Many stories have been told about Nigeria and the road towards indTyependence on October 1, 1960. It is a day that will continue to be remembered in the annals of Africa’s history. In this piece I will be bring you interesting facts about the independence of Africa’s giant nation, Nigeria. High Hopes And Expectations When Nigeria gained independence from the UK in 1960 there were high hopes and expectations that we were on our way to self-government. We had abundant mineral resources and also the most educated workforce in Africa. It was expected by Nigeria would become Africa’s first superpower and a stabilizing democratic influence in the region. Style Of Governance Let me point out that on October 1, 1960, the army office commanding the army guards at the midnight flag raising ceremony was Captain David Ejoor and went on to play a major role in the military interventions that followed later. After the independence, Nigeria tried to adopt the UK-style of government; Westm

The organised labour has suspended the nationwide strike. President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba announced this at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday. “We invite you here today to inform you that we have received a firm and formal invitation to reconvene a meeting of tripartite committee scheduled for October 4 and 5 2018,” he said. “We demanded that this shall be the final session of the committee assignment and that a formal report will then be submitted to Mr President immediately. “In order to avail the committee the necessary conducive environment to hold this crucial meeting and conclude its work the organised labour has after obtaining the mandates of their necessary organs decided to suspend the ongoing warning strike with effect from today Sunday, September 30, 2018.”

Governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said his opponent, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is not fit to secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Addressing a press conference at government house, Alausa, Ikeja, on Sunday, Ambode said Sanwo-Olu was arrested for spending fake dollars in the US and has gone for rehabilitation before. He appealed to the APC leaders to have a rethink on endorsing Sanwo-Olu for the ticket. “We have never responded to the campaign of calumny on social media. We have one family in APC. The aspirant being put up to compete against us is not a fit and proper person to take this job,” he said. “I have done everything in the last three and half years to serve people selflessly and to serve the poor. “This particular aspirant is somebody that has been arrested for spending fake dollars in a nightclub in America, and he has been detained for months. “He doesn’t have the competence to do what he is being propelled to do. This is somebody that ha

Following her resignation as Minister of EWomen Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, has picked the gubernatorial nomination form of United Democratic Party (UDP) for Taraba State. Alhassan, who was disqualified from participating in the APC gubernatorial race in the state by the screening committee of the party, said she was moving to the UDP along with all the executives of APC in the state, local government and ward levels in the state as well as other aspirants on the platform of the party. Addressing journalists at her residence in Jalingo on Saturday, Alhassan, who was the gubernatorial candidate of APC in the 2015 general elections, stated that with her defection to UDP, APC is now the weakest party in the state. Fondly called Mama Taraba by her supporters across the state, Alhassan also accused the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, of being the mastermind of her disqualification. “I am now a member of UDP and I have purchased no

There are indications that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Nigeria Deposits Insurance Company, NDIC, are set to prosecute directors and investors who plunged former Skye Bank, now Polaris Bank into huge financial mess. Recall that the operating licence of Skye Bank was withdrawn last week by the CBN which also announced its takeover and new name – Polaris Bank. Prompt News Online gathered that there is ongoing campaign to discredit Polaris Bank by the same people who ruined Skye Bank. According to a source, “Their plot is to create a run on POLARIS BANK in order to cover their tracks and mask their abortive attempt to defraud both the depositors and share holders of Skye Bank.” The source however, assured that “the CBN and NDIC are preparing to press charges against them and bring upon them the full weight of the lawyers of Nigeria. “After sharing depositors funds to themselves by way of non-performing loans, denying shareholders their investments, now they als

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola claims the rise of social media is a significant threat to the fragile relationship between managers and players. Jose Mourinho's strained relations with Paul Pogba at Manchester United came under the spotlight again this week after posts placed on Instagram by the controversial France star. Across Manchester, Guardiola has his own issues with social media and off-field behaviour after admitting he had to remind Benjamin Mendy of his responsibilities when the City defender arrived late for treatment to an injury on Sunday. Mendy, who has now missed City's last four games, has a bruised metatarsal in his foot, yet the France international posted photographs of himself late on Saturday at Anthony Joshua's title fight at Wembley in London. Guardiola confirmed he had no problem with Mendy travelling to London for the bout despite his injury. But the Spaniard is clearly frustrated by Mendy's absence after he missed nearly all

Chelsea ended Liverpool's perfect start to the Premier League season as the title contenders drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Liverpool had won all six of their previous league matches this term but, having lost to Chelsea in the League Cup in midweek, they fell behind on Saturday when Eden Hazard gave the west London club a 25th-minute lead. But Daniel Sturridge's brilliant long-range strike a minute from full-time preserved Liverpool's unbeaten league run. This result left Liverpool in second place, with champions Manchester City, who beat Brighton 2-0 earlier on Saturday, now top on goal difference.

Cristiano Ronaldo believes the overhead bicycle kick he scored for Real Madrid against his current club Juventus last season was better than Mohamed Salah's which won the FIFA goal of the year award. "Salah deserved to win the Puskas award, it was a good goal. But let's be honest, let's not lie to ourselves, my goal was the best," Ronaldo told his 142 million Instagram followers. The 33-year-old Portuguese star lost out to former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric for the FIFA best player award and to Liverpool's Salah for the Puskas Award for the best goal. Salah won the award for his curling strike against Everton in the Premier League in December. "I'm not disappointed, life is like that, sometimes you win and others lose, what interests me is that in 15 years of career I managed to maintain the same levels of performance," Ronaldo said. "Awards are awards... I already have a lot. I play to win and not to win awards."

Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says Iyiola Omisore was not offered money to support the ruling party in the Osun governorship rerun election. He said the APC did not offer automatic ticket for elective position to the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Prior to Thursday’s rerun election, chieftains of the APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had met with Omisore, who turned out to be the major decider in the rerun. But the SDP candidate later pledged to support Gboyega Oyetola, the APC candidate who emerged winner of the rerun. Oshiomhole said: “I said we had a negotiation and had a deal that has to do with the governance of Osun state. “I didn’t go with money and I don’t have money to give to anybody. He didn’t ask, and there was no basis for him to ask. “The word automatic ticket has meaning. Having regards to the provisions of electoral act which makes primary mandatory, can you at the same tim

Atletico Madrid forward, Diego Costa, regrets initially leaving the Spanish capital for Chelsea but feels that everything has eventually fallen into place. The Spaniard joined the Blues in 2014 for a reported £35 million fee. In just three seasons, he scored 52 top-flight goals, 20 of them coming in 2017 - Antonio Conte's only title-winning campaign. Despite being in superb form, Conte couldn't quite overlook Costa's behaviour and ended up dismissing the striker via text message in June. "It was a very bad moment, but it wasn't my fault. People said things, but time puts everything in its place; look where the coach is, look at Conte," Costa said to Marca, referencing Conte's sacking in July. "I was wrong going to Chelsea, because of their way of dealing with things. Cholo [Atletico coach Diego Simeone] is a direct coach, and when he doesn't love you, it's clear and he shows it." "At Chelsea it was the opposite. I had t

Former Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Mohamed Salah did not deserve to win the Puskas award for the goal he scored against Everton. In fact, the LA Galaxy star admitted that he did not even care to look up on who won the accolade because he was not part of the nominations. FIFA caused some controversy when they declared the ​Liverpool talisman's strike as the best goal of 2018. Fans reacted in numbers on social media with the Egyptian hero's teammate James Milner too poking fun at the award. Majority of the fans believed that there were atleast two more goals in the nominations that were better than Salah's attempt. As reported by ​TalkSport, on being asked about his opinion on Salah's goal, Ibrahimovic typically said, "No. I did not see the candidates, if my goal was not there I am not interested. My goal should have been there – the one against LAFC. Maybe I am there next year.” The 36-year-old has a history of scoring some unbeli

Senate President Bukola Saraki on Friday reviewed the re-run poll held in Osun state on Thursday and described it as an embarrassment to the nation’s democracy. Saraki, who is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Campaign Council on Osun State Governorship election, in a statement issued in Abuja said Thursday’s supplementary election in Osun State, was a charade and an embarrassment to Nigeria’s democracy. According to him, “Yesterday, we witnessed another display of the subversion of the will of the Osun people during the re-run gubernatorial election in the State. The election was characterised by widespread voter intimidation, violence and harassment. Accredited observers were denied access to polling units and duly registered voters were prevented from participating in the electoral process by thugs and compromised security agents.. He went further: “Like I said a few days ago, this needless re-run election was only designed as an avenue for the ruling party to

President Muhammadu Buhari has chided Nigerian elite for remaining silent in the face of alleged misrule of the country by the Peoples Democratic Party between 1999 and 2015. He said while they allowed Nigeria to be mismanaged in 16 years without raising a voice in consternation, they have been accusing him of being too slow. He wondered where those that were considered to be fast got to. According to a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke at a meeting he had with the Nigerian community in the United States of America on Thursday in New York. The meeting was held on the margins of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly holding in New York. Buhari said he had taken ordinary Nigerians as his constituency because of the way they had been standing by him. He said this was the reason he has been conscious of them. The President said, “They (Nigerian elite) didn’t say a word. Under the PTF (Petroleum Tru

Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to face his old club Manchester United in the Champions League next month after UEFA handed the Juventus forward a one-game ban on Thursday. The Portuguese superstar was sent off in the first half of Juve's 2-0 win away to Valencia last week after a clash with Jeison Murillo. He risked a potentially lengthy suspension, but instead the 33-year-old will only sit out his team's game at home to Swiss champions Young Boys next week. Juve then play Jose Mourinho's United at Old Trafford on Tuesday, October 23, before hosting the English club in Turin on November 7 in Group H. Ronaldo, a five-time Champions League winner, first won the competition with United in 2008 before leaving for Real Madrid a year later. He moved to Juventus in July after nine years in the Spanish capital, and has so far scored three goals in Serie A for his new club.

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Alh Ahmed Idris, on Thursday called on the Nigerian Labour Congress to shelve it’s warning strike in order to allow the office complete the process of payment of salaries of civil servants. Idris who said this in a statement issued in Abuja noted that the industrial action had led to a situation where workers who were directly involved in the release of funds for payment of salaries could no longer have access to their office. He maintained that the payment of salaries could not be achieved under an atmosphere where critical stakeholders were not allowed access into their offices. This, he noted, may make it difficult for the Federal Government to fulfil its promise of payment of salaries to workers before the end of the month. He appealed to labour unions to shelve their strike in order to enable the office pay salaries to workers. Idris noted that while he had reported to duty on Thursday with members of staff of his office, th

The Peoples Democratic Party has described the rerun election held in Osun State as the biggest electoral robbery ever witnessed in the history of the state. The Chairman of the PDP in Osun State, Mr Soji Adagunodo, said this in Osogbo on Thursday. Adagunodo said the alleged brazen electoral fraud would be resisted by the party, saying the stolen mandate would be resisted in court. He said the election was openly rigged by the All Progressives Congress with the support of security personnel in broad daylight, Adagunodo said, “Thousands of eligible voters were chased away from their homes in Orolu, Ife North and Ife South Local Government Areas in the early hours of today. “Scores of our supporters in those local governments were shot and stabbed on their way to polling centres and in the full glare of security men. Hundreds of people holding PVCs from other polling units were accredited and allowed to vote in Osogbo and Ife South Local Governments. “PDP agent in Olode

The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, on Thursday met some labour leaders at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The meeting was called to resolve the issues that led to the ongoing warning strike by workers. Kyari said he summoned the meeting with a view to ascertaining what stalled the ongoing negotiation on minimum wage. He said his interaction with the labour leaders showed that “It is the process of arriving at figure (for minimum wage) that got stalled.” The National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba, who led the delegation said the outcome of the meeting would be taken to the relevant organs of the union. He said, “The Chief of Staff tried to give us details of the government’s position which we will have to go and convey to our members and then we can revert to him. “This is how far we have gone but clearly I think we have tried to share details of the information that pertains to the issue of the National Minimum Wage and how the ongoi

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has called for the cancellation of the supplementary election in Osun State over alleged electoral malpractice. Secondus, made the call Thursday at a press conference in Abuja, where he said that Osun state was under siege as security agencies deliberately chased away journalists, observers and supporters of the party from exercising their basic rights. The party lamented that if what happened in Osun was what would happen in the 2019 general elections, the future of Nigerian democracy was bleak, warning that the country is sliding into crisis. Secondus stated: “Today we are all aware of the rerun election in Osun state as we address the press conference. We, the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) has reviewed what has happened since, from the distribution of materials to the actual voting that has taken place in some of the units and wards.” “We found that Osun is under siege,

Liverpool legend Jamier Carragher has opened up about ​Barcelona's interest in Paul Pogba, claiming that the Frenchman would be making a mistake by joining the Catalan outfit as they are the least suitable team for him. Pogba's relationship with ​Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has been on a downward spiral ever since preseason with the Portugese boss even going on to strip the Frenchman of the vice-captaincy following their shock loss to Derby County in the Carabao Cup. Add to that the recent bust-up with Mourinho on the training ground and it looks like that the midfielder could move in January, with Barcelona touted to be a destination following their interest in him. Carragher though believes that the Nou Camp would be the worst possible club for the 25-year-old to join as he would not suit their style of play. "There's talk of him moving on, leaving Man Utd. There's other clubs in the world who haven't got Paul Pogba who have been very su

United States Consul General in Lagos F. John Bray, who was in Osogbo to monitor the rerun election, has described the process as credible. He said he did not observe any malpractices or violations of the Electoral Act in Unit 17, Ward 5 where the rerun election took place. Bray was at the unit from morning when voting started till result was announced at about 3.50pm. Asked about his observations, he said: “The process has been credible.” On allegations that some voters were denied access to some units by thugs, Bray said: “There are things going on in six other units. I cannot comment on those things. “I’m here as an observer today. All I can talk about is what’s in front of me. And today in Osogbo its working fine. “At this polling unit things have been going on pretty well today. No problem with card readers; people have been orderly. “We have party agents here from all the political parties. I’m not hearing a lot of complaints. I haven’t seen any vote buying here

The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of rigging the Osun supplementary election. In a statement by his spokesman, Ike Abonyi, Secondus said that the Osun election is a clear picture of what will happen during the 2019 general elections. He linked the conduct of the Osun elections to that of the Ekiti governorship election, thereby accusing the APC of underserved victory. “Democratic community all over the globe are watching and we would stop at nothing in highlighting them until the will of the people are allowed to prevail. The PDP leader warned in particular security agencies to bear in mind that their allegiance and oath of office is to Nigeria state and her citizens not to any individual or ruling party. He drew the attention of leaders of both INEC and security agencies to the fact that history has never been kind with anybo

Chelsea put an end to Liverpool's 100 percent win record so far this season, and knocked them out of the Carabao Cup in the process. The Blues came from behind to score two late goals to pick up the win and keep their undefeated run going. Here are three things we learned from Chelsea's 2-1 win over Liverpool. 3. End of the winning run Chelsea put an end to Liverpool's 100 percent win record that they had maintained since the start of the season, winning all games in both the Premier League and the Champions League so far. The Blues managed to put an end to that with two late goals, and instead kept their undefeated run going. 2. Fortress Anfield This defeat to Chelsea would be only the second loss in 35 games in all competitions for Liverpool. The Reds have ensured that Anfield remains a fortress and that clubs come here and do not go back with a win in any competition under any circumstances. They will hope this will be a one off and will be intent

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has questioned the Video Assistant Referee's (VAR) decision in allowing Chelsea's equaliser to stand, claiming the awarding of the free-kick in the buildup to be rather harsh. He also believed that Ross Barkley and Alvaro Morata were in offside positions when the set-piece was cashed in. As Liverpool led through Daniel Sturridge's second-half goal, Emerson Palmieri latched on a rebound off a free kick to pull Chelsea level. VAR was used to check the legitimacy of the goal, and Klopp felt the assistants didn't do a very good job. "Both discussable," he said at his post-match news conference, as quoted by ​ESPN. "I don't think it's a foul. He plays the ball and then he touched afterwards, but things like that happen. We constantly touch each other with feet, with arms and stuff like that. Not all of that is a foul. It's a clear ball and the linesman wanted to give a throw-in. That's it's a foul

The Nigeria Labour Congress, has said it will proceed with its strike starting on Thursday following the failure of the meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment in Abuja on Wednesday to reach a rapprochement. NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, stated that the meeting ended in a deadlock as the parties failed to reach an agreement, adding that the industrial action will hold as earlier announced. Speaking at the end of the meeting with the government delegation, he noted that the failure of both parties to reach an agreement on the issues raised means the strike will proceed as scheduled. The meeting between the minister, tripartite committee on minimum wage and labour leaders, was called to address the concerns raised by organised labour, but it failed to reach an agreement.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Wednesday expressed his readiness to participate in Saturday’s primary election where members of the All Progressives Congress across the State are expected to choose the party’s flagbearer through direct primaries. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, the Governor said he is restating his readiness in line with the choice of the party in Lagos State and the validation given to the direct primary preference by the Governor’s Advisory Council. “As our great party approaches Saturday, September 29th, 2018, earmarked for the direct primary election to choose the candidate to fly our party’s gubernatorial flag at the next general election, I am happy to restate my commitment to participate in that process having procured and submitted my nomination form and having formally declared my intention to seek a second term to continue on the path of unprecedented growth and developme

Ademola Adeleke, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun state, has declared himself the governor-elect. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the election inconclusive, saying the margin between the two leading candidates was not significant enough to declare a winner. Adeleke had polled 254,699 votes ahead of Isiaka Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who had 254,345 votes, leaving a margin of 353. The commission had announced that 3,498 votes were cancelled across seven polling units in four local government areas. It, therefore, fixed a rerun for Thursday. Speaking in an interview with BBC News Yoruba, Adeleke said the people of the state were robbed of their votes. He said this was not new in the country, citing the annulled June 12, 1993 as an example. “The people of Osun state voted and they voted me as their governor; as I am speaking with you, I’m the elected governor of the state,” he said.

Iyiola Omisore, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), asked his supporters to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Thursday’s supplementary poll to decide the winner of the Osun State governorship election, the SDP has formally announced it’s readiness to work for the APC candidate, Gboyega Oyetola. It was earlier on Wednesday reported that Iyiola Omisore, the SDP governorship candidate, declared his support for APC. Endorsing Omisore’s decision, SDP said the APC has agreed to adopt its manifesto in forming a coalition government with its branch in Osun State. The decision was documented in a communique titled “SDP communique on Osun election from meetings held at Osogbo, Iwo, Ile-Ife, Ede and Ilesha on Monday, September 24.” The party, whose candidate returned third in the election on Saturday, said its decision was made after consultations with its leaderships and members in the 30 local government areas of Osun State. In the communiqué signed b

The convener of the TakeItBack Movement and the party chairman of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has said if he has his way, he would sack all Nigerian army generals to ensure the security of the nation. In a statement signed by Rachel Onamusi-Kpias, his director, PR & media, the presidential aspirant said the top echelons of the military have failed in their duties to secure the nation. Sowore also said the army generals continue to amass illegal wealth at the detriment of their junior officers and Nigerians. Part of the statement issued by the Sahara Reporters publisher reads: “There is irrefutable proof that these generals do nothing to neither defend our nation nor equip the hardworking soldiers to do their jobs. Army promotions have become political. Leadership has been embroiled in corruption cases, with countless of these generals buying houses in Dubai and other exotic locations while a war rages and the victims are innocent Nigerians – civilians and