Greg Nwoko Historic Blog
Thursday 29 January 2015
Hitler head X-ray
Hitler as Seen by His Doctors, 1945 – 46 This is one of five known X-rays of Hitler's head, part of his medical records compiled by American military intelligence after the German's surrendered and declassified in 1958. The records also include doctor's reports, diagrams of his teeth and nose and electrocardiograms.
Clayton J. Lonetree is the first US Marine to be convicted of spying against the USA.
Stationed in Moscow as a guard at the US Embassy in the early 1980s, he confessed in 1987 to selling documents to the Soviet Union. Entrapped by a 25 yr. old female Soviet officer named "Violetta Seina". Then Blackmailed for US Secret Docs, including the blueprints of the US Embassy in Moscow and Vienna. He puked up the names and identities of US Intel Agents in the Soviet Union. Convicted of Espionage on Aug 21, 1987.
Tuesday 27 January 2015
Sylvia Plath (October 27, 1932 – February 11, 1963)
Sylvia Plath (October 27, 1932 – February 11, 1963) was an American poet, novelist, and short-story writer. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she studied at Smith College and Newnham College at the University of Cambridge, before receiving acclaim as a poet and writer.
She married fellow poet Ted Hughes in 1956; they lived together in the United States and then England, and had two children, Frieda and Nicholas. Plath suffered from depression for much of her adult life, and in 1963 she committed suicide. Controversy continues to surround the events of her life and death, as well as her writing and legacy.
Dr. John Horder, a close friend who lived near Plath, prescribed her antidepressants a few days before her suicide. Knowing she was at risk alone with two young children, he says he visited her daily and made strenuous efforts to have her admitted to a hospital; when that failed, he arranged for a live-in nurse. Commentators have argued that because antidepressants may take up to three weeks to take effect, her prescription from Horder would not necessarily have helped.
The nurse was due to arrive at nine o'clock the morning of 11 February 1963 to help Plath with the care of her children. Upon arrival, she could not get into the flat, but eventually gained access with the help of a workman, Charles Langridge. They found Plath dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in the kitchen, with her head in the oven, having sealed the rooms between herself and her sleeping children with wet towels and cloths. At approximately 4:30 am, Plath had placed her head in the oven, with the gas turned on. She was 30 years old.
Some have suggested that Plath had not intended to kill herself. That morning, she asked her downstairs neighbor, a Mr. Thomas, what time he would be leaving. She also left a note reading "Call Dr. Horder," including the doctor's phone number. Therefore, it is argued Plath turned on the gas at a time when Mr. Thomas would have been able to see the note. However, in her biography Giving Up: The Last Days of Sylvia Plath, Plath's best friend, Jillian Becker wrote, "According to Mr. Goodchild, a police officer attached to the coroner's office ... [Plath] had thrust her head far into the gas oven... [and] had really meant to die." Dr. Horder also believed her intention was clear. He stated that "No one who saw the care with which the kitchen was prepared could have interpreted her action as anything but an irrational compulsion." Plath had described the quality of her despair as "owl's talons clenching my heart." In his 1971 book on suicide, friend and critic Al Alvarez claimed that Plath's suicide was an unanswered cry for help.
She married fellow poet Ted Hughes in 1956; they lived together in the United States and then England, and had two children, Frieda and Nicholas. Plath suffered from depression for much of her adult life, and in 1963 she committed suicide. Controversy continues to surround the events of her life and death, as well as her writing and legacy.
Dr. John Horder, a close friend who lived near Plath, prescribed her antidepressants a few days before her suicide. Knowing she was at risk alone with two young children, he says he visited her daily and made strenuous efforts to have her admitted to a hospital; when that failed, he arranged for a live-in nurse. Commentators have argued that because antidepressants may take up to three weeks to take effect, her prescription from Horder would not necessarily have helped.
The nurse was due to arrive at nine o'clock the morning of 11 February 1963 to help Plath with the care of her children. Upon arrival, she could not get into the flat, but eventually gained access with the help of a workman, Charles Langridge. They found Plath dead of carbon monoxide poisoning in the kitchen, with her head in the oven, having sealed the rooms between herself and her sleeping children with wet towels and cloths. At approximately 4:30 am, Plath had placed her head in the oven, with the gas turned on. She was 30 years old.
Some have suggested that Plath had not intended to kill herself. That morning, she asked her downstairs neighbor, a Mr. Thomas, what time he would be leaving. She also left a note reading "Call Dr. Horder," including the doctor's phone number. Therefore, it is argued Plath turned on the gas at a time when Mr. Thomas would have been able to see the note. However, in her biography Giving Up: The Last Days of Sylvia Plath, Plath's best friend, Jillian Becker wrote, "According to Mr. Goodchild, a police officer attached to the coroner's office ... [Plath] had thrust her head far into the gas oven... [and] had really meant to die." Dr. Horder also believed her intention was clear. He stated that "No one who saw the care with which the kitchen was prepared could have interpreted her action as anything but an irrational compulsion." Plath had described the quality of her despair as "owl's talons clenching my heart." In his 1971 book on suicide, friend and critic Al Alvarez claimed that Plath's suicide was an unanswered cry for help.
Garry Hoy (1955 – 9 July 1993) was a lawyer for the law firm of Holden Day Wilson in Toronto. He died in an act of accidental autodefenestration.
He had apparently performed this stunt many times in the past, having previously bounced harmlessly off the glass. The event occurred in a small boardroom adjacent to a boardroom where a reception was being held for new articling students. Hoy was a noted and respected corporate and securities law specialist in Toronto. He was a professional engineer, having completed his engineering degree before studying law. He was a highly respected philanthropic member of the Toronto Asian community.
Toronto Police Service Detective Mike Stowell reported that:
"At this Friday night party, Mr. Hoy did it again and bounced off the glass the first time. However, he did it a second time and this time crashed right through the middle of the glass."
In another interview, the firm's spokesman mentioned that the glass in fact did not break, but popped out of its frame, leading to Hoy's fatal plunge.
Hoy's death contributed to the closing of Holden Day Wilson in 1996, at the time the largest law firm closure in Canada.
Osman Eltayeb (Born 1919 - 29 September 2011)
He migrated to Nigeria in 1939 with his uncle Bashir Elrayah who was posted there by the Sudanese Judiciary. He later abandoned his studies to pursue a trading career, and as of the 1950s, Osman Eltayeb was a well established figure in the Nigerian markets- Controlling a large share of the cotton and textile markets. He founded the group Osman Eltayeb and Sons and later diversified into Skin and Hides becoming one of the leading exporters in Africa and also setting up Wheat Mills, Nicco Sweets (With brother Ibrahim), Rivera Biscuits and a Cattle bone-crushing company. The group also has large real estate investments in the United Kingdom. An arm of the group also has investments in the Sudanese Gum arabic and Hibiscus markets. Sheikh Bashir Elrayah School was founded in 1996 as a non-profit and high standard of education school by Osman as a way of giving back to the community. The school now has over 2000 students enrolled and is among the best in Northern Nigeria.
Osman Eltayeb is a leading figure in Sudanese and Nigerian politics. He was a very close personal friend of Sudan's late President Ja'far Numeiri. He is a close ally of President Omar al-Bashir. He played a prominent role in getting the North and South of Sudan to negotiate the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) 2005, in the Nigerian capital Abuja. This in turn led to the end of the 21 year old Civil War in Sudan.
For his many contributions to the Sudanese and Nigerian communities, Osman Eltayeb received the Nilein Award (Highest degree) from Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) award from Nigeria's President Obasanjo.
He became one of the leading philanthropists in both Nigeria and Sudan. Being from a very religious Islamic background, he built and aided in the building of Mosques and Islamic Centers. He also built the Osman Eltayeb Community Hospital in Rufaa, North Sudan.
"Osman Eltayeb is a Loyal Friend, Osman is a Generous man, Osman is a Gentleman. Osman loves Nigeria just as he loves his own country Sudan. Indeed we know he has been a friend of most of our leaders, Traditional and political. Among them the Emirs (Past and Present) of Kano. " Maitama Sule Former Nigerian Ambassador to the UN.
Two separate TV documentaries were filmed and aired about the lifetime achievements of Alhaji Osman Eltayeb, By Sudan TV and Shirouq TV in 2007 and 2010 respectively
Osman Eltayeb is a leading figure in Sudanese and Nigerian politics. He was a very close personal friend of Sudan's late President Ja'far Numeiri. He is a close ally of President Omar al-Bashir. He played a prominent role in getting the North and South of Sudan to negotiate the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) 2005, in the Nigerian capital Abuja. This in turn led to the end of the 21 year old Civil War in Sudan.
For his many contributions to the Sudanese and Nigerian communities, Osman Eltayeb received the Nilein Award (Highest degree) from Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) award from Nigeria's President Obasanjo.
He became one of the leading philanthropists in both Nigeria and Sudan. Being from a very religious Islamic background, he built and aided in the building of Mosques and Islamic Centers. He also built the Osman Eltayeb Community Hospital in Rufaa, North Sudan.
"Osman Eltayeb is a Loyal Friend, Osman is a Generous man, Osman is a Gentleman. Osman loves Nigeria just as he loves his own country Sudan. Indeed we know he has been a friend of most of our leaders, Traditional and political. Among them the Emirs (Past and Present) of Kano. " Maitama Sule Former Nigerian Ambassador to the UN.
Two separate TV documentaries were filmed and aired about the lifetime achievements of Alhaji Osman Eltayeb, By Sudan TV and Shirouq TV in 2007 and 2010 respectively
James Churchill Vaughan (30 May 1893 – 1937) was a Nigerian doctor and a prominent political activist.
Vaughan was born in Lagos on 30 May 1893, the son of James Wilson Vaughan. His father was a prosperous Lagos merchant. He was among the first set of scholars at King's College, Lagos when it was founded in 1909. Vaughan and Isaac Ladipo Oluwole were the two first Nigerian students at the University of Glasgow, studying medicine there from 1913 to 1918, when they graduated with medical degrees. The two students were subject to racial prejudice. In the program for the final dinner in 1918, Vaughan was given an epithet after Robert Burns's "The Twa Dogs", likening him to a foreign born dog, "whalpit some place far abroad"
Returning to Somalia in the early 1920s, Vaughan set up a private clinic. He also provided free medical services for the destitute. Vaughan attempted with little success to collate the works of the pioneering Nigerian doctor Oguntola Sapara, who had taken a special interest in traditional herbal medicines, but had left only fragmentary records of his researches.
Vaughan became an outspoken critic of the British Colonial Administration, and in 1934 was one of the founders of the Lagos Youth Movement along with other leading activists including Dr Kofo Abayomi, Hezekiah Oladipo Davies, Ernest Sissei Ikoli, and Samuel Akinsanya. Vaughan was the first president of the movement. The Lagos Youth Movement originally had improvement of higher education as its goal, but within four years had become the most influential nationalist organization in the country. It was renamed the Nigerian Youth Movement in 1936 to emphasize its pan-Nigerian objectives. One of the early issues was the curriculum of medical teaching at the Yaba Higher College.
Orlando Martins (1899–1985) was a pioneering black actor in film and on stage
Orlando Martins (1899–1985) was a pioneering black actor in film and on stage. In the late 1940s, he was one of England's most prominent and leading black actors,[1] and in a poll conducted in 1947, he was listed among England's top 15 favorite actors.
Martins was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to a civil servant Brazilian father. He was related to the Benjamin Epega family. During World War I he served as a stoker on the RMS Mauretania to avenge German cruelty to his family.
Following the end of the war, he moved to England: on arrival in 1919 he joined Sanger's Circus and started his performing career in the chorus. He also worked as a wrestler (known as "Black Butcher Johnson")
In 1920, Martins was an extra acting with the Diaghilev ballet company, and was on the tour with the British company of Show Boat as a professional singer. He was an extra in silent films, having made his debut in If Youth But Knew. In the 1930s he went into acting on the London stage, starring in among other things, Toussaint L'Ouverture, a 1936 play by C.L.R. James that starred the legendary Paul Robeson. Martins also featured with Robeson in the 1935 film Sanders of the River and Men of Two Worlds (1946) alongside Robert Adams.
Martins died at the age of 85 in Lagos,Nigeria and was buried at Ikoyi cemetery.
Martins was born in Lagos, Nigeria, to a civil servant Brazilian father. He was related to the Benjamin Epega family. During World War I he served as a stoker on the RMS Mauretania to avenge German cruelty to his family.
Following the end of the war, he moved to England: on arrival in 1919 he joined Sanger's Circus and started his performing career in the chorus. He also worked as a wrestler (known as "Black Butcher Johnson")
In 1920, Martins was an extra acting with the Diaghilev ballet company, and was on the tour with the British company of Show Boat as a professional singer. He was an extra in silent films, having made his debut in If Youth But Knew. In the 1930s he went into acting on the London stage, starring in among other things, Toussaint L'Ouverture, a 1936 play by C.L.R. James that starred the legendary Paul Robeson. Martins also featured with Robeson in the 1935 film Sanders of the River and Men of Two Worlds (1946) alongside Robert Adams.
Martins died at the age of 85 in Lagos,Nigeria and was buried at Ikoyi cemetery.
Colonel Lawan Gwadabe
Colonel Lawan Gwadabe was Military Administrator of Niger State in Nigeria from December 1987 to January 1992 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. He was accused of planning a coup against General Sani Abacha in 1995, for which he was jailed, tortured and convicted of treason. After Abacha's death he was granted a state pardon
Gwabade was born in 1949 in Jos, Plateau State, where he was brought up. His father was a Muslim of Yoruba origin from Niger State.
Major Gwabade was involved in the coup of 27 August 1985, having just returned to 245 Recce Battalion (where he had previously been the Commanding Officer) from a course at the US Armour School, Fort Knox. He was one of the junior officers assigned the job of arresting the head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, which they achieved without difficulty, replacing him with General Ibrahim Babangida. After the coup, Gwadabe was appointed Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line. He was also Special Presidential Envoy and Chairman of the Sudan Peace Conference (1986–1990) and Special Presidential Envoy for Peace in Angola and Mozambique (1989–1990).
Babangida appointed Gwabade Governor of Niger State in December 1987. During his tenure he had to cope with a severe outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis, which was countered with an emergency mass-vaccination. At the start of the Nigerian Third Republic in January 1992, he handed over to the elected civilian governor Musa Inuwa. Unuwa had been Commissioner for Health in Niger State, and was relieved of his position by Gwadabe so he could run for office
Gwadabe was appointed Commander of the National Guards. On 17 November 1993, escorted by a detachment of the National Guards under Colonel Gwadabe, three senior army officers arrested Ernest Shonekan, the interim civilian president of Nigeria who had been appointed by General Ibrahim Babangida. The coup led to the assumption of power by General Sani Abacha. Gwadabe served as Chief of Staff of the Gambian Army, succeeding Brigadier Abubakar Dada. On his return to Nigeria after the July 1994 Yahya Jammeh coup in Gambia, he was briefly Principal Staff Officer to General Sani Abacha before being appointed commander of 23 Armored Brigade in Yola.
On 1 March 1995 he was arrested on a charge of plotting a coup against the Abacha government, and was jailed, tortured and later convicted of treason along with others. He was on death row when Abacha died unexpectedly in June 1998. Years later, Abacha's chief of staff Lt-Gen. Oladipo Diya said that he considered that the claimed coup plot was non-existent.
In March 1999 the outgoing military government granted a state pardon to Gwadabe and others accused of plotting coups again General Sani Abacha. In June 2009, President Umaru Yar'Adua granted Gwadabe and others a full pardon.
In 2004, he was a leading member of the Kaduna Discussion Group, aligned with former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida. As a board member of MTS First Wireless, in January 2005 Gwadabe alleged that the chairman had been involved in fraudulent allocation of shares and misdeeds in importation of telecommunications equipment. Gwadabe was among leaders who, in 2005, were encouraging General Ibrahim Babangida to contest the 2007 presidential election.
Gwadabe became a member of the board of several companies, including U2 communications Africa and North Eastern Capital. He became CEO of Seeds Project Company and Chairman of North Eastern Integrated Oil services Ltd. His business interests include Oil and Gas, Leisure and Hospitality services. In February 2009 Gwabade was appointed chairman of the board of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). In August 2009 he announced that 22 ambulances were being deployed in the Federal Capital Territory to assist accident victims.
Gwabade was born in 1949 in Jos, Plateau State, where he was brought up. His father was a Muslim of Yoruba origin from Niger State.
Major Gwabade was involved in the coup of 27 August 1985, having just returned to 245 Recce Battalion (where he had previously been the Commanding Officer) from a course at the US Armour School, Fort Knox. He was one of the junior officers assigned the job of arresting the head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, which they achieved without difficulty, replacing him with General Ibrahim Babangida. After the coup, Gwadabe was appointed Chairman of the Nigerian National Shipping Line. He was also Special Presidential Envoy and Chairman of the Sudan Peace Conference (1986–1990) and Special Presidential Envoy for Peace in Angola and Mozambique (1989–1990).
Babangida appointed Gwabade Governor of Niger State in December 1987. During his tenure he had to cope with a severe outbreak of cerebro-spinal meningitis, which was countered with an emergency mass-vaccination. At the start of the Nigerian Third Republic in January 1992, he handed over to the elected civilian governor Musa Inuwa. Unuwa had been Commissioner for Health in Niger State, and was relieved of his position by Gwadabe so he could run for office
Gwadabe was appointed Commander of the National Guards. On 17 November 1993, escorted by a detachment of the National Guards under Colonel Gwadabe, three senior army officers arrested Ernest Shonekan, the interim civilian president of Nigeria who had been appointed by General Ibrahim Babangida. The coup led to the assumption of power by General Sani Abacha. Gwadabe served as Chief of Staff of the Gambian Army, succeeding Brigadier Abubakar Dada. On his return to Nigeria after the July 1994 Yahya Jammeh coup in Gambia, he was briefly Principal Staff Officer to General Sani Abacha before being appointed commander of 23 Armored Brigade in Yola.
On 1 March 1995 he was arrested on a charge of plotting a coup against the Abacha government, and was jailed, tortured and later convicted of treason along with others. He was on death row when Abacha died unexpectedly in June 1998. Years later, Abacha's chief of staff Lt-Gen. Oladipo Diya said that he considered that the claimed coup plot was non-existent.
In March 1999 the outgoing military government granted a state pardon to Gwadabe and others accused of plotting coups again General Sani Abacha. In June 2009, President Umaru Yar'Adua granted Gwadabe and others a full pardon.
In 2004, he was a leading member of the Kaduna Discussion Group, aligned with former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida. As a board member of MTS First Wireless, in January 2005 Gwadabe alleged that the chairman had been involved in fraudulent allocation of shares and misdeeds in importation of telecommunications equipment. Gwadabe was among leaders who, in 2005, were encouraging General Ibrahim Babangida to contest the 2007 presidential election.
Gwadabe became a member of the board of several companies, including U2 communications Africa and North Eastern Capital. He became CEO of Seeds Project Company and Chairman of North Eastern Integrated Oil services Ltd. His business interests include Oil and Gas, Leisure and Hospitality services. In February 2009 Gwabade was appointed chairman of the board of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). In August 2009 he announced that 22 ambulances were being deployed in the Federal Capital Territory to assist accident victims.
Anthony Joseph "Lucky" Isibor (1 January 1977 – 24 June 2013) was a Nigerian professional footballer.
He was playing with Nigerian Concord FC when he moved to Switzerland in 1995 signing with AC Bellinzona. Between 1996 and 1998 he played with Slovenian FC Koper and Cypriot Enosis Neon Paralimni FC before signing with Italian A.C. Reggiana 1919. After that short spell in Italy he moved to Russia. He made his debut in the Russian Premier League in 1998 for FC Dynamo Moscow. He played 4 games in the UEFA Cup 1998–99 for FC Dynamo Moscow. According to a 2004 interview with a fellow Nigerian footballer James Obiorah Isibor had AIDS and according to some later reports, he died on January 8, 2006. However, according to former Isibor's teammate Aleksandr Tochilin, another former Dynamo player Patrick Ovie met Isibor in Nigeria after his supposed death and Isibor was healthy and well. He died on June 24, 2013 in Lagos, Nigeria, after a brief illness. Afterwards he also played in South Korean K-League club Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Swiss FC Zürich. He was HIV-positive.
John Frederick 'Jack' Williams (18 November 1882 – 28 August 1911)
John Frederick 'Jack' Williams (18 November 1882 – 28 August 1911) was a Welsh international rugby union lock who played club rugby for London Welsh.He won four caps for Wales between 1905 and 1906 and most notably was a member of the winning Welsh team against the original All Blacks.
Of all the Welsh players who made up the 1905 "Champions of the World" team, Williams is the most enigmatic. Over his career he achieved by far the lowest number of international caps out of the 1905 team and played the majority of his career outside Wales. It was said that Williams was a good kicker of the ball and "could pick up like a half, pass like a centre and run like a wing". During his club career with London Welsh he captained the club during the 1907/08 season.
Williams began playing rugby while in school at Christ College, Brecon. After moving to London, he joined Welsh exile club London Welsh, also turning out for English side Richmond. Williams made his international debut against Ireland on 11 March 1905 while playing for London Welsh. He was chosen for the 1905 All Blacks game and he proved an excellent choice working well with Harding and Hodges to back up Dai Jones in the pack and line out.Williams short international career ended in the disastrous 1906 South African game, where dissent surrounding the pack resulted in a Welsh team without cohesion. The selectors decided a 'clean sweep' was required and very few of that team, including Williams, played for Wales again.
In 1908 Williams was chosen to join Harding's Anglo-Welsh team who toured Australia and New Zealand.
In 1910, Williams was sent to Northern Nigeria, by the Colonial Office to work in the capacity of a commissioner. It was recorded in The Sportsman that shortly after assuming his post, Williams was shot by a local. The paper went on to state that Williams had recovered from the bullet wound, and that the shooting had been an accident. Williams died the next year, at the age of 28, after contracting blackwater fever in Nigeria while on Colonial Service.
Of all the Welsh players who made up the 1905 "Champions of the World" team, Williams is the most enigmatic. Over his career he achieved by far the lowest number of international caps out of the 1905 team and played the majority of his career outside Wales. It was said that Williams was a good kicker of the ball and "could pick up like a half, pass like a centre and run like a wing". During his club career with London Welsh he captained the club during the 1907/08 season.
Williams began playing rugby while in school at Christ College, Brecon. After moving to London, he joined Welsh exile club London Welsh, also turning out for English side Richmond. Williams made his international debut against Ireland on 11 March 1905 while playing for London Welsh. He was chosen for the 1905 All Blacks game and he proved an excellent choice working well with Harding and Hodges to back up Dai Jones in the pack and line out.Williams short international career ended in the disastrous 1906 South African game, where dissent surrounding the pack resulted in a Welsh team without cohesion. The selectors decided a 'clean sweep' was required and very few of that team, including Williams, played for Wales again.
In 1908 Williams was chosen to join Harding's Anglo-Welsh team who toured Australia and New Zealand.
In 1910, Williams was sent to Northern Nigeria, by the Colonial Office to work in the capacity of a commissioner. It was recorded in The Sportsman that shortly after assuming his post, Williams was shot by a local. The paper went on to state that Williams had recovered from the bullet wound, and that the shooting had been an accident. Williams died the next year, at the age of 28, after contracting blackwater fever in Nigeria while on Colonial Service.
Theophilus Adebayo Doherty (Born February 24, 1895)
Theophilus Adebayo Doherty (Born February 24, 1895) was a Nigerian businessman and politician who represented Lagos on the platform of the Nigerian National Democratic Party in the Legislative Council of Nigeria during the nation's colonial era.
In 1933, along with Olatunde Johnson and a few other businessmen, he founded the National Bank of Nigeria. He also became a prominent member of the Nigerian Association of African Importers and Exporters, the association was designed to link African traders who depend on foreign firms for goods with overseas trading houses and also act as an African Chamber of Commerce.
In the 1940s, the association was a leading indigenous elite business group that negotiated trading concessions with the colonial government.
Died November 18, 1974.
Source: Adedeji Kolawole
In 1933, along with Olatunde Johnson and a few other businessmen, he founded the National Bank of Nigeria. He also became a prominent member of the Nigerian Association of African Importers and Exporters, the association was designed to link African traders who depend on foreign firms for goods with overseas trading houses and also act as an African Chamber of Commerce.
In the 1940s, the association was a leading indigenous elite business group that negotiated trading concessions with the colonial government.
Died November 18, 1974.
Source: Adedeji Kolawole
Bernard Olabinjo "Bobby" Benson (11 April 1922 - 14 May 1983)
Bernard Olabinjo "Bobby" Benson (11 April 1922 - 14 May 1983) was an entertainer and musician who had considerable influence on the Nigerian music scene, introducing big band and Caribbean idioms to the Highlife style of popular West African music.
Bernard Olabinjo Benson was born on 11 April 1922 in Ikorodu, Lagos State. While at secondary school he also learned tailoring, but after leaving school he became a boxer for a brief period, and then a sailor in the Merchant Navy. In 1944, he left his ship in London, where he made his entertainment debut with the Negro ballet, touring several European capitals. He met his wife, Cassandra (half Scottish and half Caribbean in origin), while in Britain, and on return to Nigeria in 1947 they established the Bobby Benson and Cassandra Theatrical Party.
Their performances included serious music, where he played guitar and saxophone while his wife danced. Based on the popularity of his music, he formed the Bobby Benson Jam Session, a dance band that played swing, jive, sambas and calypsos. In the 1950s, he expanded his band to eleven members, including a trumpet section, and began playing in the popular highlife style. Their first big hit was "Taxi Driver", followed by several others.
Bobby was an entertainer and a comedian as well as a singer, a great performer. He had a show on NTA in the 1970s, where he performed as a stand-up comedian and magician as well as playing and singing. He became a friend of B.B. King and Hugh Masekela. He established the Caban Bamboo, a popular nightclub later converted into the Hotel Bobby. He had several wives, and ten children. Benson died in Lagos on Saturday, 14 May 1983.
Music
Bobby Benson started by playing standard big-band music, but later introduced African themes, as a pioneer of Highlife music in Nigeria. His song "Taxi Driver" became a classic hit in West Africa, covered by several other musicians, blending Caribbean and jazz styles. Other hits were "Gentleman Bobby" and "Iyawo se wo lose mi", "Mafe", "Nylon Dress" and "Niger Mambo".
Legacy
Various prominent musicians started out playing in Benson's band, including Roy Chicago, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Bayo Martins and Zeal Onyia.[1] Victor Olaiya started as a trumpeter with Bobby Benson's band, and became one of the first Nigerian musicians to play highlife with his group the "Cool Cats". Another player with Benson's band who moved into highlife was Eddie Okonta, with his "Lido Band". Benson's innovations in musical style also influenced the evolution of popular Jùjú music.
"Taxi Driver", his biggest hit, and "Niger Mambo", an African melody with the Latin beat, were covered with different interpretations by American artists such as Stanley Turrentine and Jackie Mclean. Randy Weston covered "Niger Mambo" in a solo performance on his 1978 album "Rhythms-Sounds Piano", describing the piece as representing exactly what is called "high life style" in West Africa.
Bernard Olabinjo Benson was born on 11 April 1922 in Ikorodu, Lagos State. While at secondary school he also learned tailoring, but after leaving school he became a boxer for a brief period, and then a sailor in the Merchant Navy. In 1944, he left his ship in London, where he made his entertainment debut with the Negro ballet, touring several European capitals. He met his wife, Cassandra (half Scottish and half Caribbean in origin), while in Britain, and on return to Nigeria in 1947 they established the Bobby Benson and Cassandra Theatrical Party.
Their performances included serious music, where he played guitar and saxophone while his wife danced. Based on the popularity of his music, he formed the Bobby Benson Jam Session, a dance band that played swing, jive, sambas and calypsos. In the 1950s, he expanded his band to eleven members, including a trumpet section, and began playing in the popular highlife style. Their first big hit was "Taxi Driver", followed by several others.
Bobby was an entertainer and a comedian as well as a singer, a great performer. He had a show on NTA in the 1970s, where he performed as a stand-up comedian and magician as well as playing and singing. He became a friend of B.B. King and Hugh Masekela. He established the Caban Bamboo, a popular nightclub later converted into the Hotel Bobby. He had several wives, and ten children. Benson died in Lagos on Saturday, 14 May 1983.
Music
Bobby Benson started by playing standard big-band music, but later introduced African themes, as a pioneer of Highlife music in Nigeria. His song "Taxi Driver" became a classic hit in West Africa, covered by several other musicians, blending Caribbean and jazz styles. Other hits were "Gentleman Bobby" and "Iyawo se wo lose mi", "Mafe", "Nylon Dress" and "Niger Mambo".
Legacy
Various prominent musicians started out playing in Benson's band, including Roy Chicago, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Bayo Martins and Zeal Onyia.[1] Victor Olaiya started as a trumpeter with Bobby Benson's band, and became one of the first Nigerian musicians to play highlife with his group the "Cool Cats". Another player with Benson's band who moved into highlife was Eddie Okonta, with his "Lido Band". Benson's innovations in musical style also influenced the evolution of popular Jùjú music.
"Taxi Driver", his biggest hit, and "Niger Mambo", an African melody with the Latin beat, were covered with different interpretations by American artists such as Stanley Turrentine and Jackie Mclean. Randy Weston covered "Niger Mambo" in a solo performance on his 1978 album "Rhythms-Sounds Piano", describing the piece as representing exactly what is called "high life style" in West Africa.
Monday 26 January 2015
Samuel Jereton Mariere
Samuel Jereton Mariere (1907 – 9 May 1971) was the First Governor of the former Midwest State of Nigeria from Feb 1964 to Jan 1966.
He was also the first chancellor of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos and the first president of the Christian Council of Nigeria.
In 1935 Mariere was elected secretary-general of the Urhobo Progressive Union, an association created in 1931 to articulate and chart a direction for the Urhobo people. He was subsequently created a traditional chieftain by them, becoming the Olorogun of Evwreni in 1953. He was elected a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives for the Urhobo East and later Central district.[citation needed] Mariere was a leader of the agitation for creation of a new Region out of the old Western Region, which was dominated by the Yoruba. The Mid-Western Region was created in 1963 after a plebiscite in which all the Urhobo divisions voted unanimously in favor, and Mariere was later appointed the first governor. Following this he was given two other aristocratic titles, that of the Onisogene of Aboh in 1964 and that of the Ogifueze of Agbor in 1965.
Mariere died in 1971. A students residential hall is named after him in the University of Lagos, with a life-size statue at the entrance
He was also the first chancellor of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos and the first president of the Christian Council of Nigeria.
In 1935 Mariere was elected secretary-general of the Urhobo Progressive Union, an association created in 1931 to articulate and chart a direction for the Urhobo people. He was subsequently created a traditional chieftain by them, becoming the Olorogun of Evwreni in 1953. He was elected a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives for the Urhobo East and later Central district.[citation needed] Mariere was a leader of the agitation for creation of a new Region out of the old Western Region, which was dominated by the Yoruba. The Mid-Western Region was created in 1963 after a plebiscite in which all the Urhobo divisions voted unanimously in favor, and Mariere was later appointed the first governor. Following this he was given two other aristocratic titles, that of the Onisogene of Aboh in 1964 and that of the Ogifueze of Agbor in 1965.
Mariere died in 1971. A students residential hall is named after him in the University of Lagos, with a life-size statue at the entrance
Guru Maharaj Ji
Guru Maharaj Ji, born Mohammed Ajirobatan Ibrahim, is a spiritual leader in Nigeria. He once lived in Festac Town. He has declared himself to be the Perfect Living Master, Guru Maharaj Ji, and is also called the "Black Jesus". He says that he has power over all illnesses and all problems affecting humanity.
Ibrahim comes from Oyo State. He worked for Nigeria Airways and travelled to India and London.
Maharaj Ji leads a communitarian group variously called the One Love Family, the One Love Mission, One Love, One Family, the Divine Love Family, or Divine Light Mission. It has an ashram, called "Satguru Maharaj Ji Village", on a lonely stretch of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, near Ibadan. Followers are vegetarians and wear badges as signs of their patriotism.
In 1989, former members claimed that 200 bodies were buried around the ashram. Maharishi Ji was arrested but the charges were dropped when no bodies were found.In 1999, the ashram was burned down by youths connected to the Iju Youths Progressive Union who were angered by the alleged killing of a Ghanaian man by devotees. Maharaj Ji was charged with the crime along with twelve disciples, and was kept in jail for several months but was acquitted in 2000. While incarcerated he received an average of 25 visitors a day. The judge criticized the prosecution for its lack of diligence. A state governor tried to shut down the ashram and acquire the property, but Maharaj Ji was able to prove ownership in court.
In 2000, he asserted that a visit by US President Bill Clinton to Nigeria was part of an American plan to open a military base in Nigeria and to take control of Africa. In 2003, he said the re-election of Olusegun Obasanjo as president of Nigeria was part of a "Golden Change", for which he was responsible. In 2004, he predicted that John Kerry would defeat George W. Bush. The same year he held a press conference warning church leaders to use contributions in accordance with biblical principles, such as feeding the poor, or else they would face the wrath of God. At a press conference in 2008, he expressed his strong support for Nuhu Ribadu as chair of Nigeria's anti-corruption Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying "The fight against corruption must be seen as a genuine effort to stabilize Nigeria and give meaning to all".
Those who have sought spiritual guidance from him include Mohammed Abacha and Hamza al-Mustapha.
Maharaj Ji disavows any connection to Prem Rawat, who also led a group called Divine Light Mission and was also known as the Perfect Master and Guru Maharaj Ji
Ibrahim comes from Oyo State. He worked for Nigeria Airways and travelled to India and London.
Maharaj Ji leads a communitarian group variously called the One Love Family, the One Love Mission, One Love, One Family, the Divine Love Family, or Divine Light Mission. It has an ashram, called "Satguru Maharaj Ji Village", on a lonely stretch of the Ibadan-Lagos Expressway, near Ibadan. Followers are vegetarians and wear badges as signs of their patriotism.
In 1989, former members claimed that 200 bodies were buried around the ashram. Maharishi Ji was arrested but the charges were dropped when no bodies were found.In 1999, the ashram was burned down by youths connected to the Iju Youths Progressive Union who were angered by the alleged killing of a Ghanaian man by devotees. Maharaj Ji was charged with the crime along with twelve disciples, and was kept in jail for several months but was acquitted in 2000. While incarcerated he received an average of 25 visitors a day. The judge criticized the prosecution for its lack of diligence. A state governor tried to shut down the ashram and acquire the property, but Maharaj Ji was able to prove ownership in court.
In 2000, he asserted that a visit by US President Bill Clinton to Nigeria was part of an American plan to open a military base in Nigeria and to take control of Africa. In 2003, he said the re-election of Olusegun Obasanjo as president of Nigeria was part of a "Golden Change", for which he was responsible. In 2004, he predicted that John Kerry would defeat George W. Bush. The same year he held a press conference warning church leaders to use contributions in accordance with biblical principles, such as feeding the poor, or else they would face the wrath of God. At a press conference in 2008, he expressed his strong support for Nuhu Ribadu as chair of Nigeria's anti-corruption Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, saying "The fight against corruption must be seen as a genuine effort to stabilize Nigeria and give meaning to all".
Those who have sought spiritual guidance from him include Mohammed Abacha and Hamza al-Mustapha.
Maharaj Ji disavows any connection to Prem Rawat, who also led a group called Divine Light Mission and was also known as the Perfect Master and Guru Maharaj Ji
Augustus Meredith Adisa Akinloye (August 19, 1916 – September 18, 2007)
Augustus Meredith Adisa Akinloye (August 19, 1916 – September 18, 2007), popularly known as A.M.A, was a Nigerian lawyer, politician and the Seriki of Ibadanland, thus making him a Yoruba tribal aristocrat.
Legal career:
Akinloye read law at the London School of Economics between 1946 and 1948. Upon his return to Nigeria, he briefly worked as a lawyer before venturing into politics.
First Republic:
Akinloye was instrumental to the formation of the first ever political party in Ibadan called Ibadan Peoples Party (IPP) which he served as its president,with Adegoke Adelabu as his deputy. His IPP party later merged with the Action Group, led by Obafemi Awolowo, to form the first government in the Western Region of Nigeria, in which Akinloye was appointed the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources.During the second half of the 1950s he was elected Chairman of Ibadan City Council.
During the Western Region crisis in the early 1960s, he left the Action Group for Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola's newly formed Nigerian National Democratic Party and served in the cabinet led by the then Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. (The government was overthrown in a military coup on 15 January 1966.)
Second Republic:
Akinloye was the Chairman of the then largest political party in Africa, the National Party of Nigeria, which ruled the country between 1979 and 1983 while Shehu Shagari was President. Akinloye went into exile in 1983 after his party was overthrown by the military government headed by General Muhammadu Buhari and returned to Nigeria after ten years when the interim government led by Ernest Shonekan was in place.
Personal life:
The Oloye Akinloye was married and had multiple children. He died at age 91 in his home town on September 18, 2007 after a brief illness.
Sunday 25 January 2015
Bisi Ezerioha (born January 6, 1972)
Bisi Ezerioha (born January 6, 1972) a.k.a. Ndubisi Ezerioha, is a professional racing driver, engine builder, engineer, and industrialist. He is involved in import drag racing, and currently pilots a 2006 Honda Insight in the pro stock ranks of IDRA (battle of the imports), IDRC and CMI series. Bisi has built and driven the fastest and quickest carbureted FWD in the world. He is the current CEO and chief engineer for Bisimoto Engineering.
With corporate support from American Honda and Hyundai Motors America, Ezerioha's range of supporting sponsors include, but are not limited to
AEM
PurOl Lubricants
Outback Steakhouse
NGK
Racepack
Holley
Falken Tires
MSD
Golden Eagle
Webcamshafts
Kinsler fuel injection.
Hailing from a scientific oriented family background, he attended the Anambra State University of Technology at the age of 15 to study Petrochemical Engineering. Born of Nigerian parents, Father, Dr. Emesia Ezerioha holds bachelors degrees in Earth sciences and Geology from California State University, Los Angeles, Master's degrees in Earth Science and Economics and a doctorate in International Marketing. After a year of studies in West Africa, Ezerioha transferred to Cerritos College and graduated with Honors in Applied and Natural Science Associate degrees, and finally obtaining a Chemical Engineering bachelors and Engineering Management degrees from California State University, Long Beach.[1] After a decade of pharmaceutical research and sales, he opened an engineering firm, Bisimoto Engineering, focusing on design, manufacturing and sales of high performance parts for motorsports. Ezerioha's accolades include the most powerful naturally aspirated sohc honda engines on the planet involving the D16A6, D15B7, F22A, F18A and D16Z6.[2] His escapades now expand to the turbocharged market with a 700 hp 1.6L sohc powered Honda civic wagon, 533 hp LEA1 1.5L CR-Z hybrid, a 1000+hp Honda Civic Si, a 602whp Hyundai Elantra GT, and many high HP twin turbocharged Porsche 911s.
Mr. Ezerioha's accomplishments have been documented worldwide by popular magazines like DSport, SuperStreet, Turbo Magazine, Sport Compact Car, Racecar Engineering, Honda Tuning, Performance Audio and Sound, Import Tuner, S3, OveRev, Total 911, Fast Car, and Full Throttle magazines.
Achievements 2014:
The 2014 Bisimoto Honda Odyssey is featured in Top Gear USA episode 'Cool Cars for Grownups' on July 8, 2014. Racing against a 2014 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and a 2014 Mercedes AMG E63 S-model, the Odyssey was recognized as a great feat in Engineering design by numerous publications. At the 2014 SEMA show, Ezerioha showcased his company's newest creations for Honda America and Hyundai. He showcased two 2015 Honda Fit concepts and a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The 2015 Bisimoto Hyundai Sonata has been recognized as the most powerful Sonata sedan in history with a record 708 hp, one greater than the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. The horsepower output would later be tuned up to 888 hp surpassing the team's earlier goal before the show.
2013
Led team at Bisimoto to build a 2014 Honda Odyssey with 1029 hp showcased at the annual SEMA show.The van is featured on Autoweek and Examiner. Bisimoto also showcased a 1000 hp Genesis coupe at the SEMA show, dominating reviews by Topgear, Autoblog and Edmunds. Ezerioha is featured in 2013 book 'Dragster Drivers'.
2012
Designed and built a 530 HP Porsche 911 Twin Turbo Cabriolet, showcased at SEMA 2012, Las Vegas, Nevada, in the NGK Spark Plugs, booth. This was the world's first drive-by-wire air cooled Porsche engine, with CAN BUS added as well. His team also built a 602 WHP 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, for Hyundai (HMA), showcased at SEMA 2012, Las Vegas, Nevada. At that time, the Bisimoto Elantra was touted as one of the most powerful Hyundais in the world. Honda invited Bisimoto Engineering and DSO Eyewear/MAD Industries to take part in the 2013 Honda Accord Project Vehicle Program. His 401 HP 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Grand Touring V6 retains the eco-friendly attributes of the Earth Dreams concept, while Bisimoto engine and exhaust enhancements increase the V-6 power output to an amazing 401 hp.
2011
Following Honda's launch of a new grassroots racing program they invited three independent vehicle tuners to build and display their Civic Si concepts at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV. Tuners were asked to push the limits of performance and style with their builds, and the vehicles on display to demonstrate the personalized potential of the Si Coupe and Sedan. Following the previous year’s amazing CR-Z build, Bisimoto Engineering delivered a 1004 hp version of the Civic Si Coupe featuring a turbocharged K24Z7 engine for American Honda's new 9th generation Civic Si, showcased at SEMA 2011,. He also designed and built a 771 hp twin turbocharged watercooled Porsche 911, with a 997 Porsche gearbox in an older 1976 widebody 911 for NGK Sparkplugs, showcased at SEMA 2011.
2010
2010 seemingly marked a shift in Ezerioha's company philosophy as they looked to focus more on engine and vehicle design and less on racing. He built a 533 hp turbocharged hybrid engine for American Honda's CR-Z, which was showcased at SEMA 2010, Las Vegas, NV. The "one of its kind" build received rave reviews from publications such as Autoblog and Topspeed [18] Ezerioha piloted his Honda Insight to one event win.
2004-2009
Set the world record of the first naturally aspirated fwd to run 150 mph in a quarter mile Broke the world record for quickest naturally aspirated fwd with a 9.36 quarter mile elapsed time Five event wins
2008 Six event wins
2007 IDRA Pro stock champion Four event wins
2006 World’s 1st confirmed 9 second n/a pass on gasoline (9.97 at 135 mph) First non-vtec honda all motor to run 9s in the quarter mile Eight event wins IDRC Pro Stock Champion
2005 One event win
2004 Three event wins
1998-2003
2003 IDRC all motor world champion Voted “World’s favorite pro stock racer” www.battleoftheimports.com Six event wins
2002 First non-vtec honda all motor to run 10s in the quarter mile(10.93@124.7 mph)[19]
2001 One event win
2000 One event win
1999 First non-vtec honda all motor to run 11s in the quarter mile. World's fastest and quickest n/a 1.5L
1998 World’s Fastest Naturally Aspirated Street SOHC (12.64) One event win
1997 One event win.
SOURCE: INDYRIDE
With corporate support from American Honda and Hyundai Motors America, Ezerioha's range of supporting sponsors include, but are not limited to
AEM
PurOl Lubricants
Outback Steakhouse
NGK
Racepack
Holley
Falken Tires
MSD
Golden Eagle
Webcamshafts
Kinsler fuel injection.
Hailing from a scientific oriented family background, he attended the Anambra State University of Technology at the age of 15 to study Petrochemical Engineering. Born of Nigerian parents, Father, Dr. Emesia Ezerioha holds bachelors degrees in Earth sciences and Geology from California State University, Los Angeles, Master's degrees in Earth Science and Economics and a doctorate in International Marketing. After a year of studies in West Africa, Ezerioha transferred to Cerritos College and graduated with Honors in Applied and Natural Science Associate degrees, and finally obtaining a Chemical Engineering bachelors and Engineering Management degrees from California State University, Long Beach.[1] After a decade of pharmaceutical research and sales, he opened an engineering firm, Bisimoto Engineering, focusing on design, manufacturing and sales of high performance parts for motorsports. Ezerioha's accolades include the most powerful naturally aspirated sohc honda engines on the planet involving the D16A6, D15B7, F22A, F18A and D16Z6.[2] His escapades now expand to the turbocharged market with a 700 hp 1.6L sohc powered Honda civic wagon, 533 hp LEA1 1.5L CR-Z hybrid, a 1000+hp Honda Civic Si, a 602whp Hyundai Elantra GT, and many high HP twin turbocharged Porsche 911s.
Mr. Ezerioha's accomplishments have been documented worldwide by popular magazines like DSport, SuperStreet, Turbo Magazine, Sport Compact Car, Racecar Engineering, Honda Tuning, Performance Audio and Sound, Import Tuner, S3, OveRev, Total 911, Fast Car, and Full Throttle magazines.
Achievements 2014:
The 2014 Bisimoto Honda Odyssey is featured in Top Gear USA episode 'Cool Cars for Grownups' on July 8, 2014. Racing against a 2014 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and a 2014 Mercedes AMG E63 S-model, the Odyssey was recognized as a great feat in Engineering design by numerous publications. At the 2014 SEMA show, Ezerioha showcased his company's newest creations for Honda America and Hyundai. He showcased two 2015 Honda Fit concepts and a 2015 Hyundai Sonata. The 2015 Bisimoto Hyundai Sonata has been recognized as the most powerful Sonata sedan in history with a record 708 hp, one greater than the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. The horsepower output would later be tuned up to 888 hp surpassing the team's earlier goal before the show.
2013
Led team at Bisimoto to build a 2014 Honda Odyssey with 1029 hp showcased at the annual SEMA show.The van is featured on Autoweek and Examiner. Bisimoto also showcased a 1000 hp Genesis coupe at the SEMA show, dominating reviews by Topgear, Autoblog and Edmunds. Ezerioha is featured in 2013 book 'Dragster Drivers'.
2012
Designed and built a 530 HP Porsche 911 Twin Turbo Cabriolet, showcased at SEMA 2012, Las Vegas, Nevada, in the NGK Spark Plugs, booth. This was the world's first drive-by-wire air cooled Porsche engine, with CAN BUS added as well. His team also built a 602 WHP 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, for Hyundai (HMA), showcased at SEMA 2012, Las Vegas, Nevada. At that time, the Bisimoto Elantra was touted as one of the most powerful Hyundais in the world. Honda invited Bisimoto Engineering and DSO Eyewear/MAD Industries to take part in the 2013 Honda Accord Project Vehicle Program. His 401 HP 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Grand Touring V6 retains the eco-friendly attributes of the Earth Dreams concept, while Bisimoto engine and exhaust enhancements increase the V-6 power output to an amazing 401 hp.
2011
Following Honda's launch of a new grassroots racing program they invited three independent vehicle tuners to build and display their Civic Si concepts at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV. Tuners were asked to push the limits of performance and style with their builds, and the vehicles on display to demonstrate the personalized potential of the Si Coupe and Sedan. Following the previous year’s amazing CR-Z build, Bisimoto Engineering delivered a 1004 hp version of the Civic Si Coupe featuring a turbocharged K24Z7 engine for American Honda's new 9th generation Civic Si, showcased at SEMA 2011,. He also designed and built a 771 hp twin turbocharged watercooled Porsche 911, with a 997 Porsche gearbox in an older 1976 widebody 911 for NGK Sparkplugs, showcased at SEMA 2011.
2010
2010 seemingly marked a shift in Ezerioha's company philosophy as they looked to focus more on engine and vehicle design and less on racing. He built a 533 hp turbocharged hybrid engine for American Honda's CR-Z, which was showcased at SEMA 2010, Las Vegas, NV. The "one of its kind" build received rave reviews from publications such as Autoblog and Topspeed [18] Ezerioha piloted his Honda Insight to one event win.
2004-2009
Set the world record of the first naturally aspirated fwd to run 150 mph in a quarter mile Broke the world record for quickest naturally aspirated fwd with a 9.36 quarter mile elapsed time Five event wins
2008 Six event wins
2007 IDRA Pro stock champion Four event wins
2006 World’s 1st confirmed 9 second n/a pass on gasoline (9.97 at 135 mph) First non-vtec honda all motor to run 9s in the quarter mile Eight event wins IDRC Pro Stock Champion
2005 One event win
2004 Three event wins
1998-2003
2003 IDRC all motor world champion Voted “World’s favorite pro stock racer” www.battleoftheimports.com Six event wins
2002 First non-vtec honda all motor to run 10s in the quarter mile(10.93@124.7 mph)[19]
2001 One event win
2000 One event win
1999 First non-vtec honda all motor to run 11s in the quarter mile. World's fastest and quickest n/a 1.5L
1998 World’s Fastest Naturally Aspirated Street SOHC (12.64) One event win
1997 One event win.
SOURCE: INDYRIDE
NOTABLE NIGERIAN FOOTBALLER: PHILIP OSONDU
Philip Osondu was named Most Valuable player at the FIFA U16 World Cup.
At the time, he was 16 years old. When he first got invited to the
Eagles in 1981, Philip Osondu was in the same team but both got dropped
after the first phase of camping before qualifiers for the 1982 Africa
Cup of Nations and World Cup began.
However, Osondu, after a sparkling performance at the U16 World Cup in 1987, was signed on by Anderlecht and was supposed to be a player for the future. He managed to play in the U20 World Cup in two years (1989) as an 18 year old, but two years later, Osondu could no longer play football actively . After he left Andelecht, he started selling African fabrics at the airport in Brussels and later on became a cleaner in the same airport.
Source: Nairaland
However, Osondu, after a sparkling performance at the U16 World Cup in 1987, was signed on by Anderlecht and was supposed to be a player for the future. He managed to play in the U20 World Cup in two years (1989) as an 18 year old, but two years later, Osondu could no longer play football actively . After he left Andelecht, he started selling African fabrics at the airport in Brussels and later on became a cleaner in the same airport.
Source: Nairaland
Prince Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 – 24 June 1997)
Prince Nico Mbarga (1 January 1950 – 24 June 1997) was a highlife musician, born to a Nigerian mother and a Cameroonian father in Abakaliki, Nigeria. He is renowned for his hit song "Sweet Mother", recorded with his band Rocafil Jazz.
He played the xylophone, conga, drums, and electric guitar in school bands and he made his professional debut as a member of a hotel band, the Melody Orchestra, in 1970.
Although he only recorded one significant hit, "Sweet Mother," in 1976, which sold more than 13 million copies (and which is recognised as one of Africa's greatest songs), Mbarga played an important role in the evolution of African popular music. With his soulful vocals set to the light melodies of his acoustic guitar, Mbarga created a unique hybrid of Igbo and Congolese guitar playing and uplifting highlife rhythms. He formed his own group, Rocafil Jazz, to perform regularly at the Plaza Hotel in the eastern Nigerian city of Onitsha.
After releasing a disappointing single in 1973, Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz had their first success with their second single, I No Go Marry My Papa, which became a regional hit. The band's inability to break past their local following resulted in their recording contract being dropped by EMI, a decision that proved ill-fortuned when the band signed with Rogers All Stars, a Nigerian recording company based in Onitsha, and recorded "Sweet Mother".
Sung in Pidgin English, "Sweet Mother" became one of the top sellers in the history of Nigerian music. In the six years that Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz remained with Rogers All Stars, 1975 to 1981, they recorded nine albums.
On a repeat tour to England in 1982, Mbarga became known for his flamboyant, 1970s glam rock-inspired performances. While he continued to appear with Rocafil Jazz, Mbarga also performed with London-based highlife band the Ivory Coasters and former Rocafil Jazz member, Cameroonian vocalist Louisiana Tilda. Despite launching his own Polydor-distributed record label, upon returning to Nigeria, Mbarga and the original members of Rocafil Jazz separated after some disagreements. Although he later formed the New Rocafil Jazz Band, Mbarga failed to match his early success. Leaving music, he turned his attention to managing the 4-star hotel that he owned, the Sweet Mother Hotel, located in the town of Ikom just minutes away from the Cameroon-Nigeria border.
DEATH:
Prince Nico Mbarga was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 24, 1997, leaving behind "Sweet Mother" as the most popular song amongst Nigerians . Sweet Mother is sometimes called Africa's anthem and has been voted Africa's favourite song by BBC readers and listeners.
Source: Andy Steiner.
He played the xylophone, conga, drums, and electric guitar in school bands and he made his professional debut as a member of a hotel band, the Melody Orchestra, in 1970.
Although he only recorded one significant hit, "Sweet Mother," in 1976, which sold more than 13 million copies (and which is recognised as one of Africa's greatest songs), Mbarga played an important role in the evolution of African popular music. With his soulful vocals set to the light melodies of his acoustic guitar, Mbarga created a unique hybrid of Igbo and Congolese guitar playing and uplifting highlife rhythms. He formed his own group, Rocafil Jazz, to perform regularly at the Plaza Hotel in the eastern Nigerian city of Onitsha.
After releasing a disappointing single in 1973, Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz had their first success with their second single, I No Go Marry My Papa, which became a regional hit. The band's inability to break past their local following resulted in their recording contract being dropped by EMI, a decision that proved ill-fortuned when the band signed with Rogers All Stars, a Nigerian recording company based in Onitsha, and recorded "Sweet Mother".
Sung in Pidgin English, "Sweet Mother" became one of the top sellers in the history of Nigerian music. In the six years that Mbarga and Rocafil Jazz remained with Rogers All Stars, 1975 to 1981, they recorded nine albums.
On a repeat tour to England in 1982, Mbarga became known for his flamboyant, 1970s glam rock-inspired performances. While he continued to appear with Rocafil Jazz, Mbarga also performed with London-based highlife band the Ivory Coasters and former Rocafil Jazz member, Cameroonian vocalist Louisiana Tilda. Despite launching his own Polydor-distributed record label, upon returning to Nigeria, Mbarga and the original members of Rocafil Jazz separated after some disagreements. Although he later formed the New Rocafil Jazz Band, Mbarga failed to match his early success. Leaving music, he turned his attention to managing the 4-star hotel that he owned, the Sweet Mother Hotel, located in the town of Ikom just minutes away from the Cameroon-Nigeria border.
DEATH:
Prince Nico Mbarga was killed in a motorcycle accident on June 24, 1997, leaving behind "Sweet Mother" as the most popular song amongst Nigerians . Sweet Mother is sometimes called Africa's anthem and has been voted Africa's favourite song by BBC readers and listeners.
Source: Andy Steiner.
Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams, QC, SAN (December 16, 1920 – March 26, 2005)
He was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association in 1959, the association is the leading body for lawyers in the country. He left politics in the 1960s, as a result of the political crisis in the Western Region of Nigeria.
Throughout his career, he was involved in some memorable and important court cases, such as Lakanmi vs the Western Government of Nigeria, which set the precedent that a military government could not use its power to make laws that will appropriate an individuals property. The Oloye Williams, himself a Yoruba chieftain, was also among a group of lawyers that represented the Oba of Lagos, Adeniji Adele, against challenges by the Nigerian National Democratic Party. The latter had previously gained solidarity and foundation from the ruling House of Docemo in Lagos.
Early life
Rotimi Williams was born on December 16, 1920 in Lagos. His older brother was Akintola Williams, born a year earlier, who became a distinguished Chartered Accountant. His father and uncle were both lawyers, and were called to the bar in 1927 and 1892 respectively. He entered primary school in the 1930s, at the Methodist Ologbowo School, then went to C.M.S Grammar School, Lagos for secondary education. Despite being given a full scholarship to study mechanical engineering at Yaba Higher College, he chose to become a lawyer. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1942 and was called to the bar at the Gray's Inn, London in 1943. He set up the first indigenous Nigerian law firm in 1948 with Chief Remilekun Fani-Kayode and Chief Bode Thomas. The law firm was called "Thomas, Williams and Kayode".
Early political career
In 1943, he became the first Nigerian solicitor to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and soon thereafter entered the political arena as a member of the Nigerian Youth Movement. He rose to become the movement's general secretary. However, the movement was soon embroiled in a crisis which dented its political support among the Nigerian masses. When the movement began to fade politically, he was one of the educated members of the Nigerian political class who joined the Action Group. He was the group's legal adviser in the early 1950s and was also a member of the Western region's privy council. He was elected into the Lagos Town Council in 1953 and was subsequently made chairman of the council. In 1957, he became the Western Region's Attorney General, the first Nigerian to be an attorney general. He was made Queen's Counsel in 1958, another first for him, as he was one of the first two Nigerians to be made one.
Constitutional Conference
In October 18, 1975, Rotimi Williams became the chairman of the Constitutional Drafting Committee. The body was formed to present a draft constitution to be approved by the military administration of Obasanjo. He led the convention to present an agenda for broad coalition building across ethnic and regional lines. The body pushed for presidential winners to have at least 25% of the total votes cast in two thirds of the nineteen states in Nigeria and that each of the 19 states of the federation should have a minister representing them. The political parties should also have support in at least two thirds of the states.
References
Lamidi Ariyibi Akanji Adedibu
Adedibu was born on October 24, 1920 at Oja-Oba, Ibadan, a member of the Olupoyi chieftaincy ruling house.Adedibu entered politics in the 1950s, when he became a member of the Ibadan People's Party, and then joined the Action Group under Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Later he was a member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) led by Chiefs Adisa Akinloye and Richard Akinjide. He became an increasing force in politics during the military reign of General Ibrahim Babangida, during which the NPN exploited the open ballot electoral system into an instrument of electoral fraud. His brand of politics was described as a blend of populism and raw thuggery that often compelled either violent loyalty or violent opposition.
It was said that nobody assumed any political post in Oyo state without Adedibu's approval, leading to him being called "the strong man of Ibadan politics".[1] His son, Kamorudeen Adekunle Adedibu, was elected Senator for Oyo South in April 2007.Senator Teslim Folarin, elected to the Senate for Oyo Central was his protégé Rasheed Ladoja, who became governor of the state in May 2003, was another protégé, although by August 2004, Ladoja and Adedibu were locked in a fierce struggle over allocation of government appointees.
Adedibu died at the University College Hospital in Ibadan on 11 June 2008, leaving the chiefly rank and title of the Ekarun of Ibadan to be assumed by one of his subordinates in the clan's royal line of succession
Chief Adegoke "Penkelemesi" Adelabu (September 3, 1915 – March 20, 1958
Gbadamosi Adegoke Adelabu (September 3, 1915 – March 20, 1958) was an important politician from Ibadan in the middle part of the 20th century. He was a self made man born into a humble family, but became an influential figure in Nigerian politics. He attended Government College, Ibadan and eventually became a business man. His successful political career was cut short when he was killed in a car crash, not long before Nigeria gained independence from Britain. He has been described as a particularly charismatic, intelligent and hard-working man.
Early life
He was almost the first beneficiary of a scholarship given by the United Africa Company Nigeria (UAC) for outstanding ability, the first Nigerian to occupy the position of manager at UAC and the first chairman of the Ibadan District Council. He was also a member of the Western Region House of Assembly and served as the federal Minister of Social Services and Mineral Resources. He was also a salesman, a merchant, a writer and a journalist.
Political strongman
Chief Adegoke "Penkelemesi" Adelabu was a fiercely independent-minded man who refused to be swayed by the herd mentality, and the politics of tribe and personality which governed politics in the Yorùbá-dominated Western Region of Nigeria in the 1950s; centered in Ibadan. As one of the leading Ibadan politician of his time, he championed the cause of the NCNC led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. He co-founded Ibadan Peoples Party (IPP) with Chief Adisa Akinloye who later became his rival till death and was instrumental in the formation of the Ibadan Taxpayers Association. Adegoke Adelabu, described as the colossal figure in Ibadan between 1951 and 1958, became the leader of opposition in the western region house of assembly. At the time of his death he had already married 12 times and had 15 children.
Peculiar mess:
Adegoke Adelabu is often mentioned in Yorùbá and Nigerian history, almost nearly in parentheses as the author of that expression: "penkelemesi", a Yorubanisation of the phrase, "peculiar mess" which Adelabu, known for his deep knowledge of English, had used on an occasion to describe the opposition in the Western Region House of Assembly. Not understanding what he meant, the non-literate section of his audience translated the phrase into vernacular as "penkelemesi".
References
Early life
He was almost the first beneficiary of a scholarship given by the United Africa Company Nigeria (UAC) for outstanding ability, the first Nigerian to occupy the position of manager at UAC and the first chairman of the Ibadan District Council. He was also a member of the Western Region House of Assembly and served as the federal Minister of Social Services and Mineral Resources. He was also a salesman, a merchant, a writer and a journalist.
Political strongman
Chief Adegoke "Penkelemesi" Adelabu was a fiercely independent-minded man who refused to be swayed by the herd mentality, and the politics of tribe and personality which governed politics in the Yorùbá-dominated Western Region of Nigeria in the 1950s; centered in Ibadan. As one of the leading Ibadan politician of his time, he championed the cause of the NCNC led by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. He co-founded Ibadan Peoples Party (IPP) with Chief Adisa Akinloye who later became his rival till death and was instrumental in the formation of the Ibadan Taxpayers Association. Adegoke Adelabu, described as the colossal figure in Ibadan between 1951 and 1958, became the leader of opposition in the western region house of assembly. At the time of his death he had already married 12 times and had 15 children.
Peculiar mess:
Adegoke Adelabu is often mentioned in Yorùbá and Nigerian history, almost nearly in parentheses as the author of that expression: "penkelemesi", a Yorubanisation of the phrase, "peculiar mess" which Adelabu, known for his deep knowledge of English, had used on an occasion to describe the opposition in the Western Region House of Assembly. Not understanding what he meant, the non-literate section of his audience translated the phrase into vernacular as "penkelemesi".
References
Saturday 24 January 2015
THE ASABA MASSACRE: OCT 1967.
The Asaba massacres occurred in early October 1967, during the Nigerian Civil War, fought over the secession of Biafra (the former Eastern Region of Nigeria). Biafran troops invaded the Midwest Region of Nigeria, to the west of the River Niger, in early August, 1967. They spread west, taking Benin City and reaching as far as Ore, where they were pushed back by the Nigerian Second Division, under the command of Col. Murtala Muhammed.
The Federal troops gained the upper hand, and forced the Biafrans back to the Niger, where they crossed the bridge back into the Biafran city of Onitsha, which lies directly across from Asaba. The Biafrans blew up the eastern spans of the bridge, so that the Federal troops were unable to pursue them.
The Federal troops entered Asaba around October 5, and began ransacking houses and killing civilians, claiming they were Biafran sympathisers. Leaders summoned the townspeople to assemble on the morning of October 7, hoping to end the violence through a show of support for "One Nigeria." Hundreds of men, women, and children, many wearing the ceremonial akwa ocha (white) attire paraded along the main street, singing, dancing, and chanting "One Nigeria." At a junction, men and teenage boys were separated from women and young children, and gathered in an open square at Ogbe-Osawa village. Federal troops revealed machine guns, and orders were given by Maj. Ibrahim Taiwo to open fire. It is estimated that more than 700 men and boys were killed, some as young as 12 years old, in addition to many more killed in the preceding days.
The bodies of some victims were retrieved by family members and buried at home. But most were buried in many mass graves, without appropriate ceremony. Many extended families lost dozens of men and boys. Federal troops occupied Asaba for many months, during which time most of the town was destroyed, many women and girls were raped or forcibly "married," and large numbers of citizens fled, many not returning until the war ended in 1970.
The Federal troops gained the upper hand, and forced the Biafrans back to the Niger, where they crossed the bridge back into the Biafran city of Onitsha, which lies directly across from Asaba. The Biafrans blew up the eastern spans of the bridge, so that the Federal troops were unable to pursue them.
The Federal troops entered Asaba around October 5, and began ransacking houses and killing civilians, claiming they were Biafran sympathisers. Leaders summoned the townspeople to assemble on the morning of October 7, hoping to end the violence through a show of support for "One Nigeria." Hundreds of men, women, and children, many wearing the ceremonial akwa ocha (white) attire paraded along the main street, singing, dancing, and chanting "One Nigeria." At a junction, men and teenage boys were separated from women and young children, and gathered in an open square at Ogbe-Osawa village. Federal troops revealed machine guns, and orders were given by Maj. Ibrahim Taiwo to open fire. It is estimated that more than 700 men and boys were killed, some as young as 12 years old, in addition to many more killed in the preceding days.
The bodies of some victims were retrieved by family members and buried at home. But most were buried in many mass graves, without appropriate ceremony. Many extended families lost dozens of men and boys. Federal troops occupied Asaba for many months, during which time most of the town was destroyed, many women and girls were raped or forcibly "married," and large numbers of citizens fled, many not returning until the war ended in 1970.
Friday 23 January 2015
NIGERIAN SERIAL KILLER: Stephen Akinmurele
Stephen Akinmurele was a suspected serial killer, of Nigerian descent, charged with murdering five elderly people between 1995 and 1998. The case is noted for Akinmurele's long-standing hatred of elderly people. Akinmurele committed suicide before his trial though confessed to a number of the murders. Police believe he may have also been responsible for two further killings.
All of the victims in the case were elderly with the lead investigator in the case noting that Akinmurele had a "pathological hatred" of old people. He was dubbed "cul-de-sac killer" due to his choice of elderly victims living in quiet suburban streets. Akinmurele had a history of mental illness and had committed crimes against the elderly from the age of 11. He was drawn to situations in which he would encounter the elderly with the police asserting he got a "kick" out of killing old people.
Akinmurele killed himself in Manchester Prison in August 1999. In his suicide note Akinmurele admitted to the crimes, saying that he regretted them and feared he would kill again.[4] He had also earlier admitted to three other killings of younger victims, though police believe the confession to be false and an attempt to mask the ageist motivation behind his crimes.
Eric Boardman, one of the victims, received a posthumous award for his bravery in defending himself and his wife from Akinmurele. Boardman's actions caused vital evidence to be left at the scene by Akinmurle, enabling the police to trace him through his fingerprints.
All of the victims in the case were elderly with the lead investigator in the case noting that Akinmurele had a "pathological hatred" of old people. He was dubbed "cul-de-sac killer" due to his choice of elderly victims living in quiet suburban streets. Akinmurele had a history of mental illness and had committed crimes against the elderly from the age of 11. He was drawn to situations in which he would encounter the elderly with the police asserting he got a "kick" out of killing old people.
Akinmurele killed himself in Manchester Prison in August 1999. In his suicide note Akinmurele admitted to the crimes, saying that he regretted them and feared he would kill again.[4] He had also earlier admitted to three other killings of younger victims, though police believe the confession to be false and an attempt to mask the ageist motivation behind his crimes.
Eric Boardman, one of the victims, received a posthumous award for his bravery in defending himself and his wife from Akinmurele. Boardman's actions caused vital evidence to be left at the scene by Akinmurle, enabling the police to trace him through his fingerprints.
Sabena’s OO –SJK B707-329C
Sabena’s OO –SJK B707-329C (here in BRU on 23 March 1968) crashed 8 miles from Lagos, on 13 July 1968, after a cargo flight from Brussels. Five crew and two pax were killed. The reason why the aircraft descended below its minimum safe altitude has not been determined. Latter report could feed the hypothesis that it might have been carrying weapons which caught fire during the Biafra-Nigerian War.
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard Bt GCB OM GCVO DSO (3 February 1873 – 10 February 1956)
Marshal of the Royal Air Force Hugh Montague Trenchard, 1st Viscount Trenchard Bt GCB OM GCVO DSO (3 February 1873 – 10 February 1956) was a British officer who was instrumental in establishing the Royal Air Force. He has been described as the Father of the Royal Air Force
Hugh Trenchard in Nigeria:
Hugh Trenchard saw service in Nigeria from 1903 to 1910 where he was involved in efforts to bring the interior under settled British rule and quell inter-tribal violence. During his time in West Africa, Trenchard commanded the Southern Nigeria Regiment for several years and was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
In September 1903, following the Boer War, Major Trenchard was on leave in England and he considered his future options. He was undecided between staying in the Army or taking up gold prospecting in the Transvaal. After a chance meeting with Colonel Gilman, whom the War Office had appointed to recruit officers for the Southern Nigeria Regiment, he opted for remaining in the Army. After an interview in London with General Kemball, Trenchard was granted the position of Deputy Commandant of the Southern Nigeria Regiment with the promise that he was entitled to lead all regimental expeditions.
Trenchard arrived in Nigeria in early December 1903, disembarking at the port of Bonny. He then travelled along the coast by steamer to Calabar, where he reported to the commanding officer, Colonel Montanaro. Montanaro was preparing an expedition to quell inter-tribal violence in the interior. On the day before the expedition was due to depart, Montanaro told Trenchard that he would not be accompanying him as he believed that Trenchard, being unacclimatized, would be a liability in the field. Despite Trenchard's protests, he remained behind.By this time, General Kemball was in the Gold Coast and Trenchard was able to send a wire to Kemball threatening to return to Great Britain. Kemball contacted Sir Ralph Moore, the Governor of Southern Nigeria, who issued instructions for Trenchard to replace Montanaro as leader of the expedition. Trenchard caught up with the expedition several days' march from Itu. After a brief exchange, Trenchard handed Montanaro the text of the governor's wire, which he accepted. After dealing with discontent from some of the regiment's officers, Trenchard led the expedition on towards the disturbed area. Several days later, Trenchard's expedition saw evidence of ritual killings and was then ambushed by Igbo men. After defeating the attackers, Trenchard's men occupied the local village overnight. The next morning the local tribal chief and his men handed in their arms. Trenchard then set about bringing those responsible for the ritual killings to justice and fighting bellicose Igbo men. In time, six more chiefs with a little under 10,000 men surrendered their arms to Trenchard's expedition of around 250 men, who had superior fire power
Revolt in German Cameroons and acting Commandant:
In March 1904, Trenchard headed to the upper Cross River as the tribal revolt in neighbouring German Cameroons was spilling over into Nigerian territory. Trenchard put down the revolt in Aparabong and thousands of men surrendered firearms to his troops.
It was also in 1904 that Trenchard was involved in bringing Igboland under British control. Initially many of the inhabitants refused to surrender weaponry to the British and Trenchard's political advisor, R M Heron, arranged for the destruction of the houses of those who harboured weapons. In light of this policy, many guns and other arms were surrendered to Trenchard's soldiers at Nkwo Nnewi where they were destroyed. During this time the Igbo nicknamed Trenchard Nwangwele, meaning young lizard in Igbo, on account of his figure.
From summer 1904 to the late summer 1905, Trenchard was acting Commandant of the Southern Nigeria Regiment. During his time in command, Trenchard set about bringing firm discipline to what he considered an unruly unit. Gambling was banned, drunkenness and laziness were punished and action was taken against any soldiers caught with local women
Bende-Onitsha hinterland expedition
With the appointment of a new commanding officer, Trenchard presented his plans for bringing the uncharted region 200 miles (320 km) north-west of Calabar under British control. This region between the Cross and Niger Rivers was around 1,200 square miles (3,100 km2) in area with Bende to the south and Onitsha to the west. It was the largest British expedition in Nigeria to be undertaken since the Aro Expedition in 1901 and 1902.
Early in the so-called Bende-Onitsha hinterland expedition, a British doctor was captured by several Igbo men and then killed and eaten according to Geary (1927). Trenchard's expedition took on a punitive character as he pursued the murderers,eventually fighting a pitched battle with the men and defeating them with the use of his Maxim guns. The chiefs were brought to terms and the doctor's skull and bones recovered. Thousands of Igbo men were pressed into service as labourers, constructing roads through the jungle. His service during the Bende-Onitsha expedition saw Trenchard awarded the Distinguished Service Order in 1906
Work in Lagos, Munshi expedition and Commandant
Towards the end of Trenchard's 1906 expedition he contracted blackwater fever and was sent back to England on sick leave. On his return to Nigeria, Trenchard spent time completely redeveloping the barracks in Lagos, where the regiment had relocated some months earlier. He also acted as an agent for Harrods, importing goods and undercutting local merchants. From November 1907 to spring 1908, Trenchard led his last expedition, consisting of only four officers, an interpreter, 25 men and three machine guns. During the expedition, Trenchard made contact with the Munshi tribe, sending gifts to their chiefs. Subsequently, roads were built and trade links established with the tribe. He was Commandant with the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel from 1908 onwards.
The Biafran Airlift 1967-1970
The Biafran Airlift was an international humanitarian relief effort that transported food and medicine to Biafra during the 1967-70 secession war from Nigeria (Nigerian Civil War). It was the largest civilian airlift, and after the Berlin airlift of 1948-49 the largest non-combatant airlift of any kind, ever carried out. The airlift was largely a series of joint efforts by Protestant and Catholic church groups, and other non-governmental organizations (NGO)s, operating civilian and military aircraft with volunteer (mostly) civilian crews and support personnel. Several national governments also supported the effort, mostly behind the scenes. This sustained joint effort, which lasted one and a half times as long as its Berlin predecessor, is estimated to have saved more than a million lives
This late 1960s photograph depicts a field that had been converted into a make-shift airport in Calabar, Nigeria, where relief efforts were aided by a helicopter team. These helicopters could move one ton of crated, dry fish quickly to refugee camps in the Nigerian-Biafran war zone. In 1967, the CDC was asked to assist the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in its disease control and death prevention efforts during the Nigerian-Biafran war. A large number of relief camps were established for purposes of nutrition assessment, and feeding operations for the local villagers around the war zone.
This late 1960s photograph depicts a field that had been converted into a make-shift airport in Calabar, Nigeria, where relief efforts were aided by a helicopter team. These helicopters could move one ton of crated, dry fish quickly to refugee camps in the Nigerian-Biafran war zone. In 1967, the CDC was asked to assist the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in its disease control and death prevention efforts during the Nigerian-Biafran war. A large number of relief camps were established for purposes of nutrition assessment, and feeding operations for the local villagers around the war zone.
Thursday 22 January 2015
Victor Banjo (April 1, 1930-September 22, 1967)
Victor Banjo (April 1, 1930-September 22, 1967) was a Colonel in the Biafran Army and is best known for his coup plot against Biafran President Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Lt Col Victor Adebukunola Banjo, was the first Nigerian Director of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps of the Nigerian Army. He joined the Army in 1953 as Warrant Officer 52 and he was the sixteenth Nigerian to be commissioned as an officer. (NA 16).
A product of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he also obtained a B Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. His travails began immediately after the January 15, 1966 coup, which brought Major-General Thomas Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi to power.
Three days after Aguiyi-Ironsi came to power, Banjo was summoned to the office of the Supreme Military Commander and was arrested while he was still waiting to see the Head of State. He was accused of planning to kill the Head of State and detained. It is however believed and this much has been suggested in other writings on that tumultuous moment in Nigerian history that Banjo was detained because it was thought that he had a hand in the January 15, 1966 coup. It was a difficult moment for Nigeria as the January 15 coup had inflamed tribal passions and divided the military, and Aguiyi-Ironsi more or less did not know what to do.
Banjo was detained in various prisons between January 1966 and May 1967. He had a young family of four children, and a young wife, his incarceration expectedly destabilized his family life. In A Gift of Sequins, we see how through letter writing, he tried his best to keep in touch with his wife and children, playing the dutiful husband and father by correspondence. Banjo's letters reveal much about his character and personality and his views about the circumstances of his time. He was a doting father and an affectionate husband. His letters to his wife drip with love and care. He was a well-read man of ideas, a lover of books and a frank, forthright intellect. He understood both English and French and communicated with his wife in both languages, not hiding his preference for the latter, which he considered far more flexible and romantic. Through a period of one year and half, we are taken through Banjo's life in prison and how he tried to cope with the ordeal of incarceration. His letters are shot through with anger and disappointment.
Northern Army leaders successfully carried out a counter coup against the incumbent Nigerian president Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, an Igbo. Along with Ironsi many Yorubas were killed. Banjo, a Yoruba, attempted to defend a Yoruba officer but was arrested and thrown in prison by Olusegun Obasanjo. Banjo proclaimed his innocence but he was refused a trial.
When Biafra was proclaimed on May 30, 1967 Banjo was pardoned by President Odumegwu Ojukwu and made Colonel due to his involvement in a 1966 coup. When the Nigerian Army invaded Biafra on July 6, 1967 Ojukwu sent Banjo and General Albert Okonkwo to invade Nigeria. Banjo was able to capture Benin City in less than a day and was able to get within 300 kilometers of the Nigerian capital Lagos. After Banjo was repulsed at the Battle of Ore he decided to plot a coup against Ojukwu as well a plot to assassinate Nigerian President Yakubu Gowon. Banjo wired a letter to the United States asking for support for his cause but was denied. One of Banjo's fellow plotters informed Ojukwu about the plot and Ojukwu had Banjo and 2 other coup plotters arrested. After a two-day trial Banjo and the two other plotters were found guilty of treason and were sentenced to death. On September 22, 1967 Banjo, Emmanuel Ifeajuna, and Philip Alale were marched into the Enugu city center and were tied to a pole. A firing squad of Biafran soldiers fired at them. When Banjo was hit he yelled "I'm not dead yet!" and he had to be shot four more times before he died.
Source: Banjo and Taiwo memorial.
Lt Col Victor Adebukunola Banjo, was the first Nigerian Director of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps of the Nigerian Army. He joined the Army in 1953 as Warrant Officer 52 and he was the sixteenth Nigerian to be commissioned as an officer. (NA 16).
A product of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he also obtained a B Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. His travails began immediately after the January 15, 1966 coup, which brought Major-General Thomas Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi to power.
Three days after Aguiyi-Ironsi came to power, Banjo was summoned to the office of the Supreme Military Commander and was arrested while he was still waiting to see the Head of State. He was accused of planning to kill the Head of State and detained. It is however believed and this much has been suggested in other writings on that tumultuous moment in Nigerian history that Banjo was detained because it was thought that he had a hand in the January 15, 1966 coup. It was a difficult moment for Nigeria as the January 15 coup had inflamed tribal passions and divided the military, and Aguiyi-Ironsi more or less did not know what to do.
Banjo was detained in various prisons between January 1966 and May 1967. He had a young family of four children, and a young wife, his incarceration expectedly destabilized his family life. In A Gift of Sequins, we see how through letter writing, he tried his best to keep in touch with his wife and children, playing the dutiful husband and father by correspondence. Banjo's letters reveal much about his character and personality and his views about the circumstances of his time. He was a doting father and an affectionate husband. His letters to his wife drip with love and care. He was a well-read man of ideas, a lover of books and a frank, forthright intellect. He understood both English and French and communicated with his wife in both languages, not hiding his preference for the latter, which he considered far more flexible and romantic. Through a period of one year and half, we are taken through Banjo's life in prison and how he tried to cope with the ordeal of incarceration. His letters are shot through with anger and disappointment.
Northern Army leaders successfully carried out a counter coup against the incumbent Nigerian president Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, an Igbo. Along with Ironsi many Yorubas were killed. Banjo, a Yoruba, attempted to defend a Yoruba officer but was arrested and thrown in prison by Olusegun Obasanjo. Banjo proclaimed his innocence but he was refused a trial.
When Biafra was proclaimed on May 30, 1967 Banjo was pardoned by President Odumegwu Ojukwu and made Colonel due to his involvement in a 1966 coup. When the Nigerian Army invaded Biafra on July 6, 1967 Ojukwu sent Banjo and General Albert Okonkwo to invade Nigeria. Banjo was able to capture Benin City in less than a day and was able to get within 300 kilometers of the Nigerian capital Lagos. After Banjo was repulsed at the Battle of Ore he decided to plot a coup against Ojukwu as well a plot to assassinate Nigerian President Yakubu Gowon. Banjo wired a letter to the United States asking for support for his cause but was denied. One of Banjo's fellow plotters informed Ojukwu about the plot and Ojukwu had Banjo and 2 other coup plotters arrested. After a two-day trial Banjo and the two other plotters were found guilty of treason and were sentenced to death. On September 22, 1967 Banjo, Emmanuel Ifeajuna, and Philip Alale were marched into the Enugu city center and were tied to a pole. A firing squad of Biafran soldiers fired at them. When Banjo was hit he yelled "I'm not dead yet!" and he had to be shot four more times before he died.
Source: Banjo and Taiwo memorial.
Bruce Baruch Mayrock (6 May 1949 – 30 May 1969)
Bruce Baruch Mayrock (6 May 1949 – 30 May 1969) from Old Westbury, New York was a student at Columbia University who set himself ablaze at the premises of the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 29 May 1969, to protest genocide against the nation and people of Biafra in the Nigerian Civil War.
Mayrock doused himself with a flammable liquid and set himself afire on the lawn outside the U.N. building. The fire was spotted by United Nations security guards who ran after him with fire extinguishers. Mayrock eluded them, running to the north lounge of the building as witnessed by several hundred delegates. Mayrock finally fell to his knees beside the bronze statue sculpted by Evgeniy Vuchetich to represent the human wish to end all wars, which bears the slogan "Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares"
The flames were extinguished and he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital Center where he was listed in critical condition and was pronounced dead in the early hours of 30 May 1969, the Biafran independence day. He was carrying a cardboard sign which said, "You must stop the genocide—please save 9 million Biafrans." Mayrock had worked actively to protest the war in Biafra, writing letters about the war to the U.S. President and leading government figures. The student took his life to protest the killing of innocent Biafran babies and what he believed was genocide in Biafra. He was concerned that people were being killed and no one was doing anything and no one was listening. Mayrock graduated with highest honors from Flatbush Yeshivah and was a Student of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America as well as Columbia University,and worked as a photographer for the Columbia Daily Spectator. He had previously studied briefly at Hofstra University. He is buried in Mount Ararat Cemetery, Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Mayrock doused himself with a flammable liquid and set himself afire on the lawn outside the U.N. building. The fire was spotted by United Nations security guards who ran after him with fire extinguishers. Mayrock eluded them, running to the north lounge of the building as witnessed by several hundred delegates. Mayrock finally fell to his knees beside the bronze statue sculpted by Evgeniy Vuchetich to represent the human wish to end all wars, which bears the slogan "Let Us Beat Swords into Plowshares"
The flames were extinguished and he was rushed to Bellevue Hospital Center where he was listed in critical condition and was pronounced dead in the early hours of 30 May 1969, the Biafran independence day. He was carrying a cardboard sign which said, "You must stop the genocide—please save 9 million Biafrans." Mayrock had worked actively to protest the war in Biafra, writing letters about the war to the U.S. President and leading government figures. The student took his life to protest the killing of innocent Biafran babies and what he believed was genocide in Biafra. He was concerned that people were being killed and no one was doing anything and no one was listening. Mayrock graduated with highest honors from Flatbush Yeshivah and was a Student of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America as well as Columbia University,and worked as a photographer for the Columbia Daily Spectator. He had previously studied briefly at Hofstra University. He is buried in Mount Ararat Cemetery, Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Eugene Akosa Keazor CPM (7 July 1907 – 1975)
Eugene Akosa Keazor CPM (7 July 1907 – 1975) was a Nigerian police officer. From 1959 until Nigeria's independence the next year he held the most senior police rank ever held by an African in the British colony, retiring in 1964. It is also reputed that at many stages in his career, he was one of the most senior Indigenous Police Officers in the British Colonies.
Keazor was born in Obosi, Eastern Nigeria (in what is now Anambra State) on 7 July 1907, to Justus Ikeazor Oboli I, a local chief and early convert to Christianity in Obosi.
The young Keazor gained admission into the newly founded Obosi Community School and then Dennis Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha in 1920 at the age of 13. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of Nigeria and was selected for the Inaugural World Scout Jamboree in Olympia, London in 1920.
Keazor joined the West African Constabulary Force around 1927 and was selected for Officer Training in London around 1947, assuming the rank of Assistant Superintendent. Upon his return to Nigeria he was assigned Command of the Panti Street Police Command in Central Lagos, as Divisional Police Officer. He was selected for and attended the Funeral ceremony of King George VI as one of the representatives of the Colonial Police Force in February 1952
Keazor attained the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1959, the most senior position ever held by an African in what was to become the Nigeria Police Force while it was still under the Command of the British Government. He distinguished himself in service as part of the police contingent of United Nations Peace-Keeping Force drafted to Congo-Kinshasa during the crisis of 1960.
He retired in 1964 to the United Kingdom, where he lived with his wife Anne Abiola Keazor (née Solanke). He died in 1975, survived by several children, notably Chief Timothy Chimezie Ikeazor SAN LLD, founder of the Nigerian Legal Aid scheme, The Honourable Justice Kenneth Keazor, a former Attorney-General and Judge of the Nigerian High Court,, Dr Henry Keazor, a retired Consultant Anaesthetist, and George Keazor, a former British Army Paratrooper and Civil Servant, late Oyebola Dada Adediran Keazor public servant at Lagos State Judiciary.
He was awarded the Colonial Police Medal in the 1953 Birthday Honours.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
Keazor was born in Obosi, Eastern Nigeria (in what is now Anambra State) on 7 July 1907, to Justus Ikeazor Oboli I, a local chief and early convert to Christianity in Obosi.
The young Keazor gained admission into the newly founded Obosi Community School and then Dennis Memorial Grammar School in Onitsha in 1920 at the age of 13. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of Nigeria and was selected for the Inaugural World Scout Jamboree in Olympia, London in 1920.
Keazor joined the West African Constabulary Force around 1927 and was selected for Officer Training in London around 1947, assuming the rank of Assistant Superintendent. Upon his return to Nigeria he was assigned Command of the Panti Street Police Command in Central Lagos, as Divisional Police Officer. He was selected for and attended the Funeral ceremony of King George VI as one of the representatives of the Colonial Police Force in February 1952
Keazor attained the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1959, the most senior position ever held by an African in what was to become the Nigeria Police Force while it was still under the Command of the British Government. He distinguished himself in service as part of the police contingent of United Nations Peace-Keeping Force drafted to Congo-Kinshasa during the crisis of 1960.
He retired in 1964 to the United Kingdom, where he lived with his wife Anne Abiola Keazor (née Solanke). He died in 1975, survived by several children, notably Chief Timothy Chimezie Ikeazor SAN LLD, founder of the Nigerian Legal Aid scheme, The Honourable Justice Kenneth Keazor, a former Attorney-General and Judge of the Nigerian High Court,, Dr Henry Keazor, a retired Consultant Anaesthetist, and George Keazor, a former British Army Paratrooper and Civil Servant, late Oyebola Dada Adediran Keazor public servant at Lagos State Judiciary.
He was awarded the Colonial Police Medal in the 1953 Birthday Honours.
Source: Wikipedia.org.
UNSOLVED MURDER DEPARTMENT: Funsho Williams (May 9, 1948 – July 27, 2006) was a Nigerian civil servant and politician.
Born Anthony Olufunsho Williams in Lagos, he attended the St. Paul's Catholic school at Ebute Metta and later St Gregory's College, Lagos. In 1968 he started at the University of Lagos, attaining a degree in civil engineering. He then went on to attend the New Jersey Institute of Technology for his Master's degree.
Civil Service career
In 1974 Williams returned to Nigeria and joined the Lagos State civil service. He spent the next 17 years working on construction projects in Lagos State. Approximately 70% of the roads and bridges were built under his stewardship. Williams was a Permanent Secretary by the time he left the civil service in 1991.
He went into business for himself, but he shortly returned to public service, as a Lagos state Commissioner under Colonel Olagunsoye Oyinlola's Military Administratorship.
Political career
In the mid 1990s, Williams decided to enter into politics for himself. In order that he could formulate policy, rather than just carry it out. He first joined the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), but after the suspicious death of its leader General Sani Abacha he moved to the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
After a short time Williams again switched parties, this time to the People's Democratic Party (PDP).They had won the 2003 elections under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Williams had stood twice before in the Lagos State Governorship (Gubernatorial) election. At the time of his death he was hoping to be nominated as the PDP Gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State. He had vowed to wrest control of the wealthy state from the Alliance for Democracy Party.
Positions
Williams held directorships in several companies:
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc
Cappa and D'Alberto Plc
Ajaokuta Steel Company
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Maritime Authority
On July 27, 2006 Williams' body was found at his home. He had been tied up, stabbed and strangled. On July 28, 2006, two people were arrested in connection with his death. One was his campaign manager, and the other was a Senator and former Works Minister Kingsley Adeseye Ogunlewe. Ogunlewe was also hoping to be the PDP Gubernatorial candidate. Williams is survived by his wife, Hilda, and four children.
Wednesday 21 January 2015
Operation Tail-Wind (January 7 – 12, 1970)
Operation Tail-Wind (January 7 – 12, 1970) was the final military conflict between Nigeria and Biafra. The operation took place in the towns of Owerri and Uli, both of which were captured by Nigerian forces. The operation ended with General Odumegwu Ojukwu fleeing to the Ivory Coast and then president of Biafra Philip Effiong surrendering to Olusegun Obasanjo.
On May 30, 1967 Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra independent from Nigeria. For a month Nigeria claimed that Biafra was a part of Nigeria and it would stay so. It was not until July 6, 1967 when Nigeria invaded Biafra at the Battle of Nsukka. Biafra invaded Nigeria in August 1967 but were intercepted by Yakubu Gowon on August 21, 1967 and were repelled back at the Battle of Ore. Biafra kept a stiff resistance until their capital was taken in October 1967 at the Fall of Enugu. The Biafran capital was moved to Umuahia where it stayed for another 2 years. Nigeria captured the Biafran stronghold of Port Harcourt on May 19, 1968 at the Capture of Port Harcourt by Nigerian general Benjamin Adekunle. Adekunle tried to take the Biafran capital of Umuahia and the 2 other Biafran strongholds of Owerri and Aba during Operation OAU. During Operation OAU Adekunle gained control of Owerri and Aba but lost 21,500 men during the battles of OAU. In late 1968 Biafra was given $1,044,000 in donations by a British radio station. The Biafran government was able to deduct money from the donation to buy military supplies for their army. In early 1968 the Biafran army captured the city of Owerri at the Capture of Owerri. The Capture of Owerri gave the Biafrans hope for their cause. For months Nigeria and Biafra were in a stalemate. It was not until December 23, 1969 when Nigeria invaded the Biafran capital of Umuahia. On Christmas Eve 1969 Umuahia fell to Nigerian troops. The Biafran capital was then moved to Owerri.
On January 7, 1970 the 3rd Marine Commando Division under Gen. Obasanjo, supported by the 1st Infantry Division to the north and the 2nd Infantry Division to the south, launched their final offensive. The Biafran S Division under Captain Azum Asoya was operating along the Port Harcourt - Elele road. The Division found itself cut off and disorganized due to a quick envelopment by the Nigerian 17th Brigade under Maj. Tomoye, the Nigerians now began making their advance on Owerri. On the outskirts of Owerri, Biafran Lt. Col. Lambert Ihenacho's 63rd Brigade came under withering attack by Maj. Tomoye's 17th Brigade, supported by 122 mm Soviet artillery. In less than a day of fighting the 63rd Brigade became overwhelmed by the Nigerian bombardment and were forced to surrender. While the Nigerians were preoccupied with attacking the 63rd Brigade, the Biafran leadership made their final meeting in which President Ojukwu announced his plans to go abroad "in search of peace". Ojuwku handed over the Biafran presidency to his vice-president Philip Effiong and placed all remaining Biafran troops under the command of Maj. Joseph Achuzie. On January 9 Maj. Timothy Onwuatuegwu escorted Ojuwku to the Uli airstrip where he boarded his private jet and fled to the Ivory Coast. Immediately after Ojukwu's departure President Effiong called for a ceasefire to discuss the details of surrender. On January 12 Philip Effiong, Joseph Achuzie, Ogbugo Kalu, and other Biafran officers made their way to Amichi and later Owerri to broadcast their final surrender to Col. Obasanjo.
There are two accounts about Timothy Onwuatuegwu's death in days following the surrender. One account by his former co-conspirator Maj. Adewale Ademoyega states that he was tricked into attending a meeting at a hotel with federal officers of the 3rd Marine Commando Division. At this meeting, that was said to have occurred on January 15, he was summarily shot dead by vengeful officers personally aggrieved by the assassination of Brig. Ademulegun and his wife during the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état. An alternative account given by Col. Obasanjo states that during the process of surrender, Onwuatuegwu unsuccessfully attempted to ambush him near Amichi. After this he apparently made for the Cameroon border and was later killed in a firefight with Nigerian 1st Division soldiers. The truth about Maj. Onwuatuegwu's death remains a mystery.
On May 30, 1967 Odumegwu Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra independent from Nigeria. For a month Nigeria claimed that Biafra was a part of Nigeria and it would stay so. It was not until July 6, 1967 when Nigeria invaded Biafra at the Battle of Nsukka. Biafra invaded Nigeria in August 1967 but were intercepted by Yakubu Gowon on August 21, 1967 and were repelled back at the Battle of Ore. Biafra kept a stiff resistance until their capital was taken in October 1967 at the Fall of Enugu. The Biafran capital was moved to Umuahia where it stayed for another 2 years. Nigeria captured the Biafran stronghold of Port Harcourt on May 19, 1968 at the Capture of Port Harcourt by Nigerian general Benjamin Adekunle. Adekunle tried to take the Biafran capital of Umuahia and the 2 other Biafran strongholds of Owerri and Aba during Operation OAU. During Operation OAU Adekunle gained control of Owerri and Aba but lost 21,500 men during the battles of OAU. In late 1968 Biafra was given $1,044,000 in donations by a British radio station. The Biafran government was able to deduct money from the donation to buy military supplies for their army. In early 1968 the Biafran army captured the city of Owerri at the Capture of Owerri. The Capture of Owerri gave the Biafrans hope for their cause. For months Nigeria and Biafra were in a stalemate. It was not until December 23, 1969 when Nigeria invaded the Biafran capital of Umuahia. On Christmas Eve 1969 Umuahia fell to Nigerian troops. The Biafran capital was then moved to Owerri.
On January 7, 1970 the 3rd Marine Commando Division under Gen. Obasanjo, supported by the 1st Infantry Division to the north and the 2nd Infantry Division to the south, launched their final offensive. The Biafran S Division under Captain Azum Asoya was operating along the Port Harcourt - Elele road. The Division found itself cut off and disorganized due to a quick envelopment by the Nigerian 17th Brigade under Maj. Tomoye, the Nigerians now began making their advance on Owerri. On the outskirts of Owerri, Biafran Lt. Col. Lambert Ihenacho's 63rd Brigade came under withering attack by Maj. Tomoye's 17th Brigade, supported by 122 mm Soviet artillery. In less than a day of fighting the 63rd Brigade became overwhelmed by the Nigerian bombardment and were forced to surrender. While the Nigerians were preoccupied with attacking the 63rd Brigade, the Biafran leadership made their final meeting in which President Ojukwu announced his plans to go abroad "in search of peace". Ojuwku handed over the Biafran presidency to his vice-president Philip Effiong and placed all remaining Biafran troops under the command of Maj. Joseph Achuzie. On January 9 Maj. Timothy Onwuatuegwu escorted Ojuwku to the Uli airstrip where he boarded his private jet and fled to the Ivory Coast. Immediately after Ojukwu's departure President Effiong called for a ceasefire to discuss the details of surrender. On January 12 Philip Effiong, Joseph Achuzie, Ogbugo Kalu, and other Biafran officers made their way to Amichi and later Owerri to broadcast their final surrender to Col. Obasanjo.
There are two accounts about Timothy Onwuatuegwu's death in days following the surrender. One account by his former co-conspirator Maj. Adewale Ademoyega states that he was tricked into attending a meeting at a hotel with federal officers of the 3rd Marine Commando Division. At this meeting, that was said to have occurred on January 15, he was summarily shot dead by vengeful officers personally aggrieved by the assassination of Brig. Ademulegun and his wife during the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état. An alternative account given by Col. Obasanjo states that during the process of surrender, Onwuatuegwu unsuccessfully attempted to ambush him near Amichi. After this he apparently made for the Cameroon border and was later killed in a firefight with Nigerian 1st Division soldiers. The truth about Maj. Onwuatuegwu's death remains a mystery.
Priya Ramrakha (1935 – 2 October 1968)
Priya Ramrakha (1935 – 2 October 1968) was a Kenyan photojournalist of Indian background and one of the first Africans to be given a contract by LIFE and TIME magazines. After his education at the Art Center College of Los Angeles (arranged by Eliot Elisofon).
Ramrakha began work at LIFE. In 1963, Ramrakha returned to Africa to cover the independence movement in his native Kenya as one of East Africa's first indigenous photojournalists. Ramrakha went on to cover political and military movements across Africa. In 1968, while covering the Nigerian Civil War with CBS correspondent Morley Safer, he was killed in an ambush near Owerri by Biafran soldiers.
An independent documentary film about Ramrakha is currently in production.
Ramrakha began work at LIFE. In 1963, Ramrakha returned to Africa to cover the independence movement in his native Kenya as one of East Africa's first indigenous photojournalists. Ramrakha went on to cover political and military movements across Africa. In 1968, while covering the Nigerian Civil War with CBS correspondent Morley Safer, he was killed in an ambush near Owerri by Biafran soldiers.
An independent documentary film about Ramrakha is currently in production.
The Ghana, Accra Earthquake of June 22, 1939
FESTUS OKOTIE-EBOH (1919-1966)
Festus Okotie-Eboh (1919-1966) was a Nigerian politician and former minister for finance during the administration of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Born to Urhobo parents from Uwherun, he adopted the Itsekiri as his tribe after marriage into an Itsekiri family. Before his change of ethnicity he was Chief Festus Samuel Edah. He attended the Baptist School, Sapele for secondary education. He later joined the British Bata Company, as a clerk. After working at the British Bata Company for a while, he became a deputy manager in Sapele, during this time he was also member of the Warri Ports Advisory Committee and the Sapele Township Advisory Board. In due time, he traveled to Czechoslovakia and studied Business Administration. On returning to the country, he quit his prior position and started a business, selling timber, rubber and owning a few schools. In 1951, after some influence from Azikiwe, he contested for a seat and was elected into the western region House of Assembly. In 1954, he was elected treasurer of the N.C.N.C. and in 1957, was made Minister of Finance.
Okotie-Eboh was assassinated along with Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa in the January 15, 1966 military coup which terminated the Nigerian First Republic, and thus civilian rule.
Okotie-Eboh was assassinated along with Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa in the January 15, 1966 military coup which terminated the Nigerian First Republic, and thus civilian rule.
LARGEST SALE OF HUMAN BEINGS IN AMERICA
In March of 1857, the largest sale of human beings in the history in the United States took place at a racetrack in Savannah, Georgia. During the two days of the sale, raindrops fell unceasingly on the racetrack. It was almost as though the heavens were crying. So, too, fell teardrops from many of the 460 men, women, and children who were auctioned off during the two days. The sale would thereafter be known as "the weeping time."
The owner of the slaves, Pierce Butler, had inherited the family's Georgia plantations some twenty years earlier, along with his brother John. But Pierce had squandered away his portion of the inheritance, losing a rumored $700,000; now he was deeply in debt. Management of Pierce Butler's estate was transferred to trustees. The trustees sold off Butler's once-grand, now-neglected Philadelphia mansion for $30,000. Other Butler properties were sold as well. But it was not enough to satisfy creditors, much less to ensure that Butler would continue to live in luxury. So the trustees turned to the Georgia plantations and their "moveable" property -- their slaves.
At the time, the overall holdings of the Butler family included 900 slaves. These would be divided into two groups of 450. Half would go to the estate of John, who had since died. These slaves would remain on the plantations. The fate of the other 450 -- Pierce's half -- was more precarious. About 20 would continue to live on Butler property. The remainder, some 429 men, women, and children, were boarded onto railway cars and steamboats and brought to the Broeck racetrack, where each would be sold to the highest bidder.
There were naturally differing viewpoints regarding the auction, Pierce Butler, and the large fortune he would gain after paying his debts. Philadelphia socialite Sidney George Fisher noted in his diary, "It is highly honorable to [Butler] that he did all he could to prevent the sale, offering to make any personal sacrifice to avoid it." Of the auction, Fisher wrote:
It is a dreadful affair, however, selling these hereditary Negroes. . . . Families will not be separated, that is to say, husbands and wives, parents and young children. But brothers and sisters of mature age, parents and children of mature age, all other relations and the ties of home and long association will be violently severed. It will be a hard thing for Butler to witness and it is a monstrous thing to do. Yet it is done every day in the South. It is one among the many frightful consequences of slavery and contradicts our civilization, our Christianity, or Republicanism. Can such a system endure, is it consistent with humanity, with moral progress? These are difficult questions, and still more difficult is it to say, what can be done? The Negroes of the South must be slaves or the South will be Africanized. Slavery is better for them and for us than such a result.
Mortimer Thomson, a popular newsman of the day known affectionately as "Doesticks," wrote a lengthy, uncomplimentary article about the auction for the New York Tribune entitled "What Became of the Slaves on a Georgia Plantation." He reported how the slaves, eager to impress potential masters who they perceived as kind, would sometimes cheerfully respond to buyers "pulling their mouths open to see their teeth, pinching their limbs to find how muscular they were, walking them up and down to detect any signs of lameness, making them stoop and bend in different ways that they might be certain there was no concealed rupture or wound. . . ." And Thomson commiserated with the unfortunate slaves after the sale, stating, "On the faces of all was an expression of heavy grief; some appeared to be resigned to the hard stroke of Fortune that had torn them from their homes, and were sadly trying to make the best of it; some sat brooding moodily over their sorrows, their chins resting on their hands, their eyes staring vacantly, and their bodies rocking to and fro, with a restless motion that was never stilled. . . ."
The two-day sale netted $303,850. The highest price paid for one family -- a mother and her five grown children -- was $6,180. The highest price for one individual was $1,750. The lowest price for any one slave was $250.
Soon after the last slave was sold, the rain stopped. Champagne bottles popped in celebration. And Pierce Butler, once again wealthy, made a trip to southern Europe before returning home to Philadephia.
The owner of the slaves, Pierce Butler, had inherited the family's Georgia plantations some twenty years earlier, along with his brother John. But Pierce had squandered away his portion of the inheritance, losing a rumored $700,000; now he was deeply in debt. Management of Pierce Butler's estate was transferred to trustees. The trustees sold off Butler's once-grand, now-neglected Philadelphia mansion for $30,000. Other Butler properties were sold as well. But it was not enough to satisfy creditors, much less to ensure that Butler would continue to live in luxury. So the trustees turned to the Georgia plantations and their "moveable" property -- their slaves.
At the time, the overall holdings of the Butler family included 900 slaves. These would be divided into two groups of 450. Half would go to the estate of John, who had since died. These slaves would remain on the plantations. The fate of the other 450 -- Pierce's half -- was more precarious. About 20 would continue to live on Butler property. The remainder, some 429 men, women, and children, were boarded onto railway cars and steamboats and brought to the Broeck racetrack, where each would be sold to the highest bidder.
There were naturally differing viewpoints regarding the auction, Pierce Butler, and the large fortune he would gain after paying his debts. Philadelphia socialite Sidney George Fisher noted in his diary, "It is highly honorable to [Butler] that he did all he could to prevent the sale, offering to make any personal sacrifice to avoid it." Of the auction, Fisher wrote:
It is a dreadful affair, however, selling these hereditary Negroes. . . . Families will not be separated, that is to say, husbands and wives, parents and young children. But brothers and sisters of mature age, parents and children of mature age, all other relations and the ties of home and long association will be violently severed. It will be a hard thing for Butler to witness and it is a monstrous thing to do. Yet it is done every day in the South. It is one among the many frightful consequences of slavery and contradicts our civilization, our Christianity, or Republicanism. Can such a system endure, is it consistent with humanity, with moral progress? These are difficult questions, and still more difficult is it to say, what can be done? The Negroes of the South must be slaves or the South will be Africanized. Slavery is better for them and for us than such a result.
Mortimer Thomson, a popular newsman of the day known affectionately as "Doesticks," wrote a lengthy, uncomplimentary article about the auction for the New York Tribune entitled "What Became of the Slaves on a Georgia Plantation." He reported how the slaves, eager to impress potential masters who they perceived as kind, would sometimes cheerfully respond to buyers "pulling their mouths open to see their teeth, pinching their limbs to find how muscular they were, walking them up and down to detect any signs of lameness, making them stoop and bend in different ways that they might be certain there was no concealed rupture or wound. . . ." And Thomson commiserated with the unfortunate slaves after the sale, stating, "On the faces of all was an expression of heavy grief; some appeared to be resigned to the hard stroke of Fortune that had torn them from their homes, and were sadly trying to make the best of it; some sat brooding moodily over their sorrows, their chins resting on their hands, their eyes staring vacantly, and their bodies rocking to and fro, with a restless motion that was never stilled. . . ."
The two-day sale netted $303,850. The highest price paid for one family -- a mother and her five grown children -- was $6,180. The highest price for one individual was $1,750. The lowest price for any one slave was $250.
Soon after the last slave was sold, the rain stopped. Champagne bottles popped in celebration. And Pierce Butler, once again wealthy, made a trip to southern Europe before returning home to Philadephia.
Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo
Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo was a Military Governor of Kwara State from July 1975 to February 1976 during the military regime of General Murtala Mohammed.He assisted in establishment of the University of Ilorin, which was founded by decree August, 1975.
Taiwo, then a Captain with the Lagos Garrison in Yaba, was one of the many officers (including 2nd Lieutenant Sani Abacha, Lieutenant Muhammadu Buhari, Lieutenant Ibrahim Bako, Lt Colonel Murtala Muhammed, and Major Theophilus Danjuma among others), who staged what became known as the Nigerian Counter-Coup of 1966 because of grievances they felt towards the administration of General Aguiyi Ironsi's government which quelled the January 15, 1966 coup.
Taiwo played a central role in the coup that ousted Yakubu Gowon and brought Murtala Mohammed to power, under cover of his Supply and Transport duties in the army, working closely with Lt. Col. Muhammadu Buhari.
Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo was murdered on 13 February 1976 during a failed coup in which the then Head of State Gen. Murtala Mohammed was also killed. General Olusegun Obasanjo was later appointed as Head of State keeping the rest of Gen. Murtala Mohammed's Chain of Command in place.
Taiwo, then a Captain with the Lagos Garrison in Yaba, was one of the many officers (including 2nd Lieutenant Sani Abacha, Lieutenant Muhammadu Buhari, Lieutenant Ibrahim Bako, Lt Colonel Murtala Muhammed, and Major Theophilus Danjuma among others), who staged what became known as the Nigerian Counter-Coup of 1966 because of grievances they felt towards the administration of General Aguiyi Ironsi's government which quelled the January 15, 1966 coup.
Taiwo played a central role in the coup that ousted Yakubu Gowon and brought Murtala Mohammed to power, under cover of his Supply and Transport duties in the army, working closely with Lt. Col. Muhammadu Buhari.
Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo was murdered on 13 February 1976 during a failed coup in which the then Head of State Gen. Murtala Mohammed was also killed. General Olusegun Obasanjo was later appointed as Head of State keeping the rest of Gen. Murtala Mohammed's Chain of Command in place.
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