Why Nigeria, 27 African Countries boycotted the 1976 Montréal Olympic Games
Montréal was the first Canadian city to hold an Olympic Games in 1976. The 21st Olympiad took place between July 17 and August 1, 1976.
Thomas Sankara: Who killed ‘Africa’s Che Guevara’?
Thomas Sankara's body, riddled with bullets, was quickly buried in an unmarked grave while his widow, Mariam, and their two children fled the country...
Ernest Shonekan (1936-2022): A Child of Circumstance
At around 3:30 p.m. on August 26, 1993, Ernest Shonekan was sworn in as Nigeria’s new Head of State by Chief Justice Mohammed Bello.
Why was Queen Mary I of England called ‘Bloody Mary’?
During Queen Mary's reign, 227 men and 56 women were executed, including Bishops Nicholas Ridley, Hugh Latimer, and Thomas Cranmer...
How Napoleon Bonaparte lost 550,000 men in the 1812 Invasion of Russia
Did the lack of knowledge of Chemistry lead to the downfall of one of the greatest armies in history?
MKO Abiola: The Nigerian President who never ruled
MKO Abiola’s death succeeded in discrediting military rule in Nigeria, and his outstanding contribution to his country...was acknowledged six years after his death when the New African magazine listed him among the hundred greatest Africans of all time.
Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi: Did the General deserve to die?
Ironsi's proclamation of Decree 34 on May 24, 1966, marked the beginning of the end for him. The decree strengthened the centre, thereby removing the powers granted to the regions.
Ignaz Semmelweis: The Hungarian Doctor beaten to death for promoting Handwashing
Ignaz Semmelweis struggled for years to promote his... ground-breaking handwashing policies but was beaten to death in 1865. He was just 47.
Why Chinua Achebe never won the Nobel Prize in Literature
Chinua Achebe twice declined the Nigerian award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) in 2004 and 2011.
Top 8 Events that led to the Nigerian Civil War
The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War or the Nigeria-Biafra War, was a war fought to counter the secession of the Republic of Biafra from Nigeria.
Top 5 Looted Treasures from Africa
Reports say 80-90% of Africa’s looted treasures are currently held abroad – mostly in European nations.
How Evans Monsignac Spent 27 Days Under the 2010 Haiti Earthquake
Everyone thought Evans Monsignac had died in the earthquake, but, 27 days after the deadly tragedy, the man believed to be one of the longest-ever earthquake survivors, was found alive by rescue workers.
A Short History of Onitsha
Onitsha became part of the British protectorate in 1884 which made the British colonial government and Christian missionaries penetrate most of Igboland...
10 Strange Facts about the Love Life of Ancient Egyptians
Among the ancient Egyptians, women were respected, birth control was used, and premarital sex was rampant.
The Tragic Story of Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s First Prime Minister
Patrice Lumumba became Congo's first prime minister just as Belgium, the colonial ruler of the region, was preparing to grant her independence on June 30, 1960.
Top 13 Interesting Facts About Thomas Sankara
Sankara renamed Burkina Faso, or "land of the upright people", and introduce progressist policies that distanced his regime from other former French colonies.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900-1978): The Lioness of Lisabi
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was an educator and an activist throughout her career. She was also the first Nigerian woman to drive a car.
Jonathan Adagogo Green: Nigeria’s First Professional Photographer
Jonathan Adagogo Green was also responsible for the now very famous photograph of Oba Ovonramwen of Benin in 1897.
Was Calabar ever the capital of Nigeria?
Although Calabar was the capital of this new Protectorate of Southern Nigeria, however, most of the colonial, diplomatic activities and high-level official businesses were carried out in Lagos.
Nzinga Mbande: The African Queen Who Fought Portuguese Colonialism for 37 years
Remembered for her intelligence...political and diplomatic wisdom, and her brilliant military tactics, Nzinga Mbande has become a historical figure in Angola.
Was Queen Elizabeth I of England really a Virgin Queen?
Elizabeth I died unmarried in 1603...and was hailed as England's famous Virgin Queen. Her death...simply helped to fuel rumours about her personal life.
A Short History of Abeokuta
Abeokuta, the story of the home of the Egba people, started with their liberation from the rulership of the Alaafin of Oyo Empire.
