Nigerians would not be quick to forget 2015. This year has been tagged as the year of change because for the very first time, Nigerians lived under a new government after 16 years, they used technology like never before and the year witnessed the rise of titans who rearranged the direction of policies.
With less than two weeks to the New Year, let us take a look at the biggest events of 2015 and their impact on projections for 2016.
Linda Ikeji N500 Million Naira Mansion
Popular Blogger, Linda Ikeji acquired a home in the high end suburbs of Ikoyi. Immediately her sister, Laura Ikeji broke the news online, the mansion was the talk of the town for weeks. Blog Owners rededicated themselves to the profession in a bid to outshine Linda. Photos of the mansion drove people online just to catch a glimpse and share in Linda’s glory. For an average onlooker, you would wonder why there was so much buzz about the house.
Some Bloggers even took it upon themselves to calculate and analyse the source of her wealth. From Google ads to blog page takeovers, it is safe to say that Linda is truly a self made woman. Linda’s success ricochet the rebirth of blogs aplenty. Go to Nairaland.com, one blogger or another is always dropping links to anything and everything concerning Linda even a picture of her bedroom is a trending topic.
When the story of ‘Popular Lagos Female Blogger collected N240 Million from #Dasuki Gate broke, everyone attributed the popular, Lagos, female to Linda. She released a statement to exonerate herself and the Beef Police later killed the story. Another blogger, Kemi Olulunyo even came out to directly name Linda as the recipient but truth is whether Linda accepted the money or not, she has revolutionalised blogging in Nigeria.
Her success will go on to inspire thousands of people out there to become an online entrepreneur and that is a great feat.
2015 Election (People’s Democratic Party Dreamlike Toppling)
The 2015 Election came with a bang, the Valentine date scheduled for the first election was postponed after the then National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki said the country was not completely safe for an election.
In an election that has been described as the most expensive election ever held in the country, Nigerians got to use technology for the very first time while voting. When the former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega announced that voters would use Card Readers, many described the plans as an unachievable feat.
Days before the postponed elections, people were still waiting to obtain their permanent voters cards, many were automatically disenfranchised because they couldn’t register or go to the states where they registered initially to obtain their PVCs. Eventually over 68 million voters were registered.
Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential election by more than 2.5 million votes, former President Goodluck Jonathan went on to become the first incumbent president that would lose an election.
Buhari was sworn in on May 29 heralding a new era in the history of the nation. Peoples Democratic Party was toppled after a 16 year reign and the changivists took over power. Six months later, Nigerians are still searching for the change and hopefully come 2016, we would see it clearly.
Biafra Protests
The Nigerian Civil War is unforgettable in the history of the country, Igbos still bear the scar of the civil war in their hearts. After broadcasting for a while, Radio Biafra which was based in London was becoming a nuisance and the federal government embarked on jamming the frequency to stop broadcast. This act didn’t deter the man behind the voice, Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Independent Peoples of Biafra. He was arrested in Lagos by the Department of State Services in Lagos on October 18, 2015.
The news of the arrest generated mass protests across parts of Enugu State,Abia State,Imo State. Last week Thursday, he was granted bail and this also led to jubilations in several South Eastern states. The protests became known as the Biafra protests, youths took to the road to clamor for secession from the Nigerian states.
Elders who witnessed the Civil War warned the youths to exercise caution but the agitation was for marginalization of Igbos and underdevelopment in the South East.
Welcome to the Nigeria of our dreams, with 371 tribes living in an entity that was amalgamated without consulting the people, everyone must feel marginalized one way of the other. The Biafra protests have died down and maybe it may reawaken but we won’t easily forget how young people stood up to face the federal government violently.
Sugabelly/Mustapha Audu
The All Progressives Congress Guber Candidate in the Kogi Election, Late Mustapha Audu died not long after the election was declared inconclusive. While the people of Kogi were mourning the loss of their favorite candidate, one woman took to twitter to celebrate his death.
That was how the spotlight beamed on Sugabelly, who accused Mustapha Audu’s sons of gang raping her when she was just 17. Many called her a whore, while some were sympathetic to her case. She made more stunning revelations coupled with pictures. For two weeks, social media advocated and judged her case.
Former Minister of Education, Mrs Oby Ezekwesili was also sympathetic to her cause, she vowed to help her seek redress. Every day in Nigeria, one woman becomes a victim of rape, be it her father, brother, uncle or stranger, she will go on to bear the scars for the rest of her life. Sugabelly almost became the face of rape in the country but thank God, Twitter moves on easily.
Even though you might not agree with her, you have to acknowledge that rape is a worm that must be dispelled in our society.
Fuel Scarcity
Two days ago, it was reported that Fuel Scaricuty has crippled businesses in Kaduna. In Lagos, you have to queue before you can get fuel and every day, more and more filling stations close their pumps for Kegs. Some Keg owners have to resort to buying black market to fuel their generators in the face of crippling power supply.
When the issue of fuel subsidy was first brought to limelight in 2012, Nigerians took to the streets to protest the removal of fuel subsidy after former President Jonathan made the announcement.
The decision was reversed and the federal government kept paying fuel subsidy leaving the masses at the mercy of fuel marketers who make personal decisions to ground fuel supply. Today fuel is sold for N120, N130, you probably have to navigate a considerable distance to get fuel for N97. Now, Nigerians are practically begging the government to remove fuel subsidy whatever the consequences.
Better late than never but this is Nigeria, we always choose to run away from reality until it is too late.
Ooni of Ife
After the death of Late Oba Okunade Sijuwade in July, the seat of the traditional ruler of the Yorubas became vacant. After a process duly followed by the media, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (OjajaII) emerged as the new Ooni of Ife. Nigerians were so obsessed with obeisance to tradition that when the new Ooni knelt in church recently, he was slammed online.
A tourist would conclude that Africa has forgotten her roots but the obsession with the installation of the new Ooni proved that Yorubas are still very much interested in their roots. Long live Oba Ogunwusi.
Ministerial Screening
For the first time in the history of the country, Ministerial nominees didn’t just want to the Senate to take a bow, they gave long speeches before taking a bow. The Ministerial Screening was broadcast live all over the country and Nigerians got to hear their Ministers speak eloquently about how their potential portfolios would contribute to the development of the Nation.
Babatunde Fashola wowed us with quotes about development and Kemi Adeosun taught us one thing or two about the economy. We will get to hear more from them next year.
Social Media Bill
The draft bill to “Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters Connected Therewith,” proposed by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah makes it impossible to start any type of petition without swearing an affidavit that the content is true in a court of law.
The bill proposes two years in prison, or a fine of $10,000, or both, for anyone posting an “abusive statement” via text message, Twitter, WhatsApp, or any other form of social media.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki publicly claimed that there is no such bill before the Senate. Senator Dino Melaye named Sahare Reporters as the Chief Culprit. Sahara Reporters replied with pungent revelations about the activist senator.
It has been said that the bill if passed will deny Nigerians their right to highlight inequalities and corruption and knowing the judicial process in the country, going to court to swear an affidavit will take time and money.
After the first two readings, the draft bill has been referred to a committee, which could be followed by a public hearing. It will still need to go through a third reading and then pass by the House of Representatives before it can be signed into law by the president.
Lara Fortes and Oshiomhole Wedding
The internet went abuzz when it was announced that Edo State Governor will be getting married to Lara Fortes, an Ethiopian who is in her 30s. Memes went out mimicking the governor and his beautiful bride.
Oshiomhole whose wife died at the age of 54 after a long battle with cancer remarried five years after the death of his wife. Google listed Lara Fortes and Oshimhole as one of the most searched events of 2015. Don’t be surprised, Nigerians like Amebo. The Comrade got a damsel, find your own damsel, abeg.
Orubebe Derailment
The 2015 Election took another turn when Elder Peter Godsday Orubebe collected the microphone to accuse former Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega of favoring the All Progressives Congress.
Prof Jega was announcing the election results and Elder Orubebe single handedly engineered the averted derailment of the election collation.
He however subsequently apologized to Nigerians over his conduct by tendering an unreserved apology urging them not to follow in his footsteps and explaining that he regretted his action but it was just like a dream.
Nigerians would forever attribute saintly patience to the Orubebe/Jega affair.
Diezani Alison-Madueke
The first female President of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries became Nigeria’s most memorable Minister of Petroleum this year.
Diezani the trailblazer showed Nigerians how the power of change can sweep everyone even the richest and the most powerful.
Widely accused of spending government money recklessly, Nigerians hold her responsible for fuel scarcity and every other ill associated with it.
She became black Africa’s most popular woman after news of how she ran after President Muhammadu Buhari to beg for mercy .
Diezani who is currently battling Breast Cancer has categorically said that “I’ve never stolen Nigeria’s money,” we hope that statement is true.
Emir of Kano Young Bride
Sa’adatu Barkindo-Musdafa is Emir of Kano’s latest bride. At the age of 18, she signed a consent form to marry Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
Although she is proceeding to the United Kingdom to study Computer Science and the marriage won’t be official till she is 21, the news broke the internet.
Sanusi who has made it clear that the lady in question is not a child has made it clear that the marriage is nobody’s business.
He said “The real issue is that people do not accept cultural difference. And you can see it in the approach to these issues. I am supposed to be urbane and western educated.
“Yes but I am not European. I am a northern Nigerian Fulani Muslim brought up in a setting exactly like the one my children are being brought up in.
“If you read this and it improves your understanding of this issue that is fine. If it does not just remember it is not your life, it is not your daughter and you are not my wife therefore it is not your business.”
Lol, the Princess has met her kind, pure fairy tale shikena.
Emmanuel Adebayor’s Purely Islamic Conversion
While defending his sudden conversion to Islam, Togolese footballer, Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor listed ”Jesus (pbuh) taught that there is only One God and Only God should be worshipped as taught in Deut 6:4, Mark 12:29. Muslims also believe this as taught in the Qur’an verse 4:171,” as the first reason.
Togo’s all-time top goalscorer has been described as “tall, skilful, strong in the air and with the ability to score and create.”
The Footballer who has openly praised his former Christian faith surprised the world with his conversion. While speaking about a miracle he once experienced, he said “… I was in the church laying down and, around nine or ten o’clock on the Sunday morning, I could hear children playing outside. Suddenly somebody kicked a ball into the church. And the first person to stand up and run was me, because I wanted to get that ball.”
I guess the ball kicked in the direction of the Mosque. Peace be unto you my brother.
Boko Haram Deadline
On Wednesday, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed authoritatively declared that the military has met the Boko Haram deadline set by President Muhammadu Buhari not long after his inauguration.
The President gave the military a solid go ahead to combat the insurgents and defeat them.
The Minister said “From what I saw during my trip to the liberated areas of Borno State, which is the epicentre of the war, and the briefings I received from the Chief of Defence Staff and the Theatre Commander, I can confidently say that our gallant military has largely met that deadline.”
The Minister even begged journalists to play down Boko Haram news. We can only hope that come 2016, Nigeria will be truly free of the insurgents.
Adele/Omawunmi Collabo
When British singer, Adele released her single, Hello after a three year hiatus, the world adopted a new national anthem.
Omawunmi and a troop of other Nigerian artistes started launching their own remake of Hello. From funny to hilarious, each person holds the belief that theirs is the best version.
The album, 25 has gone on to break records and make history worldwide. It is said that the album singlehandedly revived the culture of buying CDs.
A few days ago, a guy passed my street playing Hello on loudspeaker, I was reminded of the quote, Music is Universal.
Adele has taught us one lesson, good is good, you can’t change that, she has set a standard the world will try to ascribe to. Lesson learnt, just be good at what you do.
Nigeria will get better, we will get ‘good,’ our motherland is at the heart of our dreams and her future is in our hands.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Leave a Reply