Lawrence Anini, also known as “Law”, was born in 1960, the same year Nigeria gained independence, to the Owuo family in Orogbo village in Orhionmwon region, about 30 km from Benin City, the capital of Bendel today’s Edo State, away, born. A 26-year-old thief has terrorized parts of Benin and several other nearby towns; With…
Lest we neglect the under-represented sounds of West African funk, the folks at Afro Strut have put together a magnificent 3-disc compilation that celebrates the movement. Nigeria 70 reminds us of the spirit and diversity of the sounds that emerged around Lagos in the ’70s with nearly 150 minutes of music. At the outset, let’s…
Market scene in Nigeria, undated trustees of the British Museum.
For hundreds of years, Christians around the world have celebrated Christmas as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a festival that Christians cannot miss as it involves lots of fun, joy, love, jollof rice and chicken. Although the actual birth date of Jesus Christ remains unknown, the Western Christian Church adopted…
Muslim progressive Mallam Aminu Kano has not allowed things to continue as before. In politics, he fought against colonial rule from outside and contributed to Nigeria’s freedom. He also fought against internal oppression to put an end to the forced labor of the emirs and the slavery of local oppressors. Throughout his life he was…
Kenule (Ken) Beeson Saro-Wiwa was a Nigerian writer, activist and television presenter born on October 10, 1995 in the family of Ogoni chief Jim Wiwa. Ken Saro-Wiwa was a member of the Ogoni people, a minority tribe in Nigeria. His homeland, the Ogoni Territory in the Niger Delta, has been the target of oil production…
Chairman SL Akintola was expected to give a victory speech after the rigged regional elections of 1965 which brought him to power as Premier of the Western Region. On October 15, 1965, shortly before the radio broadcast of the Prime Minister’s speech, an armed man reportedly entered the premises of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)…
Hajia Gambo Sawaba was a Nigerian politician and activist known for her charity events, including in support of the women’s freedom struggle in the north. The rights and status of women in Northern Nigeria remains a thorny issue to understand or resolve, although progress has been made. Recently, the #MeToo campaign reached the region. The…
Prince Idubor, also known as Arhuanran (sometimes spelled Aruanran), was supposed to be the Oba (King) of Benin because the great kingdom was doing well at the time. However, legend has it that his birthright was given to his younger brother, Esigie, who was born on the same day as Idubor. How It Happened Oba…
Vanguard front page dated September 25, 2002. Price: N60 Vanguard is a daily newspaper published by Vanguard Media based in Lagos, Nigeria. Vanguard Media was founded in 1983 by veteran journalist Sam Amuka-Pemu and three friends.