“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”— Winston S. Churchill
Today In History
1. Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria
On this day in 1956, Queen Elizabeth II of England arrived to Lagos, Nigeria for a two weeks tour. The queen was welcomed at the Airport by the then Oba of Lagos, HRH Adenijj Adele and the Federal Minister of Labour and Welfare, Chief Festus Okotie Eboh.
2. Mallam Ibrahim Gaidam Became Yobe State Governor
On this day in 2009, following the death of his principal officer from a kidney disease, Mallam Ibrahim Gaidam who was the deputy governor since 2007, he was sworn in as governor of Yobe state.
3. Prince Of Wales College Was Opened In Ghana
On this day in 1927, Prince of Wales College, now Achimota College was formally opened by the then governor, Sir Frederick Guggisberg.
The college, a co-educational school was established to reform Ghana’s education due to the need to bridge the gap between locals at home and those who studied overseas.
4. Coup Of Gitarama In Rwanda
On this day in 1961, a coup d’etat known as “coup of Gitarama” occurred in Rwanda. The coup saw the Hutu majority ousting the Tutsi minority group that had previously dominated the county’s government which led to an all Hutu led government. This coup culminated into the Rwanda genocide in 1994.
5. Five Former Security Officers Confesses To Killing Anti-apartheid Icon, Steve Biko
On this day in 1997, five former security officers, including police Colonel Gideon Nieuwoudt appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to confess to the killing of anti-apartheid icon and leader of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), Steve Biko.
Biko had been arrested and killed by the officers on 18 August 1977. He was accused writing inflammatory pamphlets and “inciting unrest” in the black community, he was subsequently arrested and inhumanely tortured and imprisoned until he died.
6. Tanzania Joint Security Forces Unarmed Protesters In Zanzibar
On this day in 2001, following general elections in Tanzania, peaceful protesters, demonstrating against the irregularities in the election were targeted and attacked by Tanzania joint security forces, including the police and army. Thirty-five people were reportedly killed and many others injured in the attack.
7. African Union Headquarters Was Opened In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
On this day in 2012, the African Union inaugurated it’s new headquarters in Addiss Ababa, Ethiopia. The building, a 20-storey was the tallest building in Ethiopia and remained so for the next six years.
8. Mali Reclaimed Timbuktu From Islamic Rebels
On this day in 2013, after Islamic rebel organization, Al-Qaeda had ruled Timbuktu for about 10 months, the Malian government with the help of the French government reclaim Timbuktu without combat. The rebels had fled the city with the advancement of the joint forces.
9. Space Shuttle Disintegrated After Liftoff
On this day in 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099) that had been previously launched in 1983, was destroyed upon liftoff killing all seven crew members onboard.
10. Tame Flight Crash
On this day in 2002, Tame Flight 120 crashed while on approach to Tulcán’s Teniente Coronel Luis A. Mantilla International Airport. All ninety-four passengers and crew members died in the crash.
