According to some, history is regarded as an agreed upon fable, while to some, it is regarded as an event that is bound to reoccur.
However, to all, it is agreed that history is an account of past events. Although, it is plausible that elements of history maybe untrue, but without history zilch would be known of the past.
Today In History
1. Former President Goodluck Jonathan Was Born
On this day in 1957, former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was born in Otuoke in Niger Delta Region, in present day Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
2. Nigeria Airways Flight 825 Crashed
On this day in 1969, Nigeria Airways Flight 825 enroute from London crashed while approaching Lagos International Airport, Nigeria killing all 87 people on board. It is regarded as the first ever fatal crash involving the Vickers VC-10, and as well the deadliest accident or incident.
3. Odi Massacre In Nigeria
On this day in 1999, at the behest of President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, the Nigerian Army attacked Odi, an Ijaw village in Bayelsa State.
According to reports, there had been an ongoing conflict on oil resources in the village, which led to the murder of policemen by gangs in the village, which led to retaliation by the Nigeria Army. It was estimated that no fewer than 900 civilians were killed in the massacre.
4. Nobel Prize Winner Wole Soyinka Fled Nigeria
On this day in 1994, Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka fled Nigeria to France to avoid being placed on a travel ban.
According to reports, Soyinka said, “Word of this filtered down to us,” he said at a news conference in Paris. “The decision to leave became inescapable. Nigerians find themselves today in the grip of a brutal dictatorship.”
5. Former President General Muhammad Buhari Signed The Open-defecation Law
On this day in 2019, former president General Muhammad Buhari signed Executive Order 009 titled ‘The Open Defecation-Free Nigeria by 2025 and Other Related Matters Order,’ which is to ensure Nigeria becomes open defecation free by 2025.
6. African Industrialization Day
On this day in 1990, the first African Industrialization Day was celebrated following it’s announcement at the Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.) Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in July 1989 and the recognition by United Nations (UN)General Assembly on December 22, 1989.
