How many of us know the history of our nation Nigeria very well? Here is an opportunity to know more about it. Nigeria is a Federal Republic composed of 36 States, and a Capital Territory, with an elected President and a Bi-cameral Legislature. It operates the Presidential system of Government with three distinct but complementary arms namely the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary, each acting as a check on the other two.
Some Past Nigerian Leaders since 1960 till date
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa – He was born in 1912 and died on the 15th January 1966. The first Nigerian Prime Minister as at October 1960 till January 15th 1966.
Dr Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe – The first Governor General from 1960- 1963. He was born in 1904 November and died 11th May 1996.
General John Thomas Aguiyi Ironsi – The First Military Head of State from January 15th 1966 – July 29th 1966. He was born in 1924 July and died on 29th July 1966.
General Yakubu Gowon – Military Head of State from July 29th 1966 to July 29th 1975.
Genreal Muritala Mohammed – Military Head of State from July 29th 1975 to February 13th 1976. He was born in 1938 and he died 13th February 1976.
General Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo – Military Head of State from 14th February 1976 – October 1st 1979. He was born in 1937
Alhaji Shehu Shagari – The First Executive President between October 1st 1979 to 31st December 1983. He was born in 1925.
General Mohammadu Buhari – Military Head of State from 31st December to August 27th 1985. He was born on 17th Deceember 1942.
General Inrahim Gbadamosi Babangida – Military Head of State from August 27th 1985 to August 26th 1993. He was born in the year 1941.
Chief Ernest Shonekan – Head of Interim Government from August 26th 1993 to November 1993
General Sanni Abacha – Military Head of State from November 19th 1993 to June 8th 1998. He was born in 1943 and died on June 8th 1998.
General Abdusalam Abubakar – Military Head of State from June 9th 1998 to May 29th 1999. He was born in 1942.
Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo – National President from May 29th 1999 to May 29th 2007
Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua – The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from May 29th 2007 to May 5th 2010.
Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from May 6th 2010 to 29th May 2015.
General Muhammadu Buhari – The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from May 29th 2015 till date.
Some Notable Events
10th Century, Borno became an Islamic State
14th Century, The School of Islam was established in Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto
15th Century, The Northern part of Nigeria commenced the practice of Islam
17th Century an organisation was formed for the abolition of slave trade in Nigeria
18th Century, Usmn Dan Fodio launched Fulani Jihad
18th Century, Methodist church was established at Badagry, Lagos
1859 – The first Nigerian Secondary School was formed (CMS Grammar School Lagos)
1860 – Iwe Iroyin was established to be the first Nigerian Newspaper
1861 – Reverend Samuel Ajayi Crowder was ordained the first African Bishop
1895 – Sacred heart hospital was built as the first Nigerian hospital at Abeokuta
1899 – The first Government primary school was established at Badagry, Lagos
1901 – The first Nigerian Railway was constructed (From Lagos – Ibadan)
1905 – The first Nigerian Motor Road was constructed at Ibadan
1906 – Federal capital Territory was moved from Calabar to Lagos
1912 – Indirect Rule was established by Lord Luggard
1914 – Northern and Southern Nigeria were amalgamated
1918 – Paper currency became a legal tender in Nigeria
1920 – Apapa wharf was commissioned
January 27 1968 – Biafra currency was introduced
January 13 1970 – Biafra war ended
December 12 1986 – Prof. Wole Soyinka became the first African to win the noble prize in literature
April 4 1988 – The Nigerian police changed uniform to Black and Black
August 12 1989 – Sam Okparaji died in National stadium
December 12 1991 – Abuja became the federal capital territory
June 12 1993 – MKO Abiola won the presidential election against Tofa
June 4 1996 – Kudirat Abiola was assassinated
August 4 1996 – Nigeria won the under 23 Olympics Gold Medal in Atlanta
June 8 1998 – General Sani Abacha died
July 7 1998 – MKO Abiola died in prison
January 27 2000 – Sharia Law was established in Zamfara State
June 5 2000 – Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established
February 9 2001 – GSM operation was commenced in Nigeria
September 11 2001 – Osama Bin Ladin bombed World Trade Centre in USA
January 27 2002 – Bomb blast incident happened at Ikeja, Lagos
July 19 2003 – Organisation of Africa Unity was changed to Africa Union
August 13 2004 – Okija Shrine was demolished
January 17 2005 – Tafa Balogun was removed from the Inspector General of Police office
April 2 2005 – Pope John Paul II died
May 31 2005 – Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) took the place of NEPA
March 29 2006 – Total and partial eclipse of the sun took place in Nigeria
May 1 2011 – Osama Bin Ladin was killed
