The year 2012 has been a very eventful
year. Various happenings across the country have shaped decisions,
influenced policies and changed the way both Nigerians and foreigners
regard the country.
As we count down the last few hours till
the end of the year, we have compiled a list of 12 major events that
will not be forgotten in a hurry as far as 2012 is concerned. There was
never a dull moment in Nigeria, however, some events stood out and are
worth recounting. Here is a list (in no particular order) of what we
feel are the 12 major news stories of the year 2012.
DANA AIR CRASH |
The DANA plane crash of Sunday 3rd June 2012, ripped the heart of the
nation. All 153 passengers on board and some people on ground died when
a commercial airliner operated by DANA Air heading from Abuja to Lagos
crashed in the Iju area of Lagos. The event brought about a reawakening
of the falling standards in the aviation sector and a ripple of events
followed after the crash. President Goodluck Jonthan declared three days
of mourning; DANA’s operating license was suspended but the suspension
was lifted some months after; the coroner’s inquest was suspended and
more.
Doctors’ Strike in Lagos state |
For several weeks in the course of the year, doctors in Lagos state
under the aegis of Medical Guild went on an indefinite strike, shutting
down health activities in major government health institutions. The
effect of the strike was devastating for residents of the state as the
health of many patients suffered and some lives were lost due to the
lack of affordable health care. During the strike, the doctors and the
Lagos state government were at loggerheads as for several weeks, both
parties refused to succumb to the other’s demands, thereby prolonging
the strike. The doctors demanded for the full implementation of the
Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, CONMESS just as the Lagos state
government said it couldn’t meet the demands. Also 788 doctors were
sacked during that period but were later reinstated to their positions.
Read More After The Cut
Cynthia Osokogu’s Murder |
The tragic murder of 24 Year Old Cynthia Osokogu, a post-graduate
student of Nasarawa State University and a clothing retailer by her
Facebook friends in Lagos is another sad event that shocked many and
brought a reawakening on the dangers of trusting people met via Social
Media. Cynthia, upon the invitation of two young men she met via
Facebook who promised to help her get cheap goods for her business was
lured into Lagos. She was drugged, raped and killed in a hotel in
Festac. Following her death her killers were arrested; the Pharmacists
who sold the drugs to her killers were also arrested and released; other
victims of her killers emerged; and the Federal Government made a move
to ban Rohypnol, the drug used to sedate her.
Farouk Lawan vs Femi Otedola: $620,000 Bribery Scandal |
When President Goodluck Jonathan constituted a committee to probe
into the alleged misuse of funds meant for fuel subsidy, his overall aim
must have been to catch and prosecute the culprits who mishandled the
funds. However, a few weeks after the committee was constituted, the
tables turned against the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ ad
hoc committee on Fuel Subsidy, Farouk Lawan who is alleged to have
collected $620,000 as part payment for a bribe which he demanded from
billionaire and oil magnate, Femi Otedola in a bid to exonerate his
companies from the fuel subsidy probe. The emerging stories from the
discovery of the bribery; Lawan’s denial and subsequent admittance of
collecting the bribe; the release of phone conversations between Otedola
and Lawan and many more was nothing short of dramatic.
James Ibori’s Conviction and Sentencing in London |
The
former Governor of Delta state, James Ibori was undoubtedly, one of the
most extravagant Governors ever in the history of our country, Nigeria.
On February 27th 2012, he pleaded guilty to laundering millions of
dollars from the oil-rich state. In a brazen case of corruption and
fraud, Ibori was accused of stealing up to $250million. On Tuesday 17th
April 2012, he was sentenced to 13 years in Prison at a UK Court. The
news of his arrest, conviction, sentencing and other emerging stories
was undoubtedly one of the most popular in 2012.
UNILAG renaming to MAULAG |
On
Tuesday 29th May 2012, during the Democracy Day broadcast, President
Goodluck Jonathan unveiled new changes in the country, part of which was
the renaming of the University of Lagos after late Chief M.K.O Abiola.
President Jonathan announced that the name University of Lagos would be
changed to Moshood Abiola University of Lagos, an announcement which was
met with severe resistance by authorities and students of the
University as well as other interest groups. Soon after the
announcement, students of the institution poured out into the streets to
protest, an action which lasted for two days. Although the Federal
Government tried to put up a strong front, a court later restrained the
FG from renaming the institution.
Aluu4: Murder of Four Undergraduate students of University of Port Harcourt |
Nigerians
were thrown into shock when news of the brutal killing of four students
of University of Port Harcourt was spread. On Friday 5th October, 2012,
the students were beaten to death by a mob in Aluu community,
Port-Harcourt where they resided in off campus accomodation. Although
they were initially accused of being cultists and robbers, the Inspector
General of Police later exonerated them of all charges saying they were
innocent and killed unjustly. Their death threw the country into a
sober mood as students of their institution later protested; the
institution was shut down, among other events that followed their death.
Boko Haram’s Violent Attacks |
Hundreds
of lives were lost in Nigeria, mostly the North-Eastern states in the
most brutal way this year through bomb blasts and violent attacks by the
radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram. Day after day, week after week, the
sect terrorized Nigerians, launching bloody attacks on churches,
schools, and public places. Each time, there was blood shed, loss of
lives and tears. What is sad about the situation is that it has not been
brought to a halt. The threats, bloodshed and insecurity of lives and
property still rages on in most Northern states of the country.
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor’s Private Jet |
On
Sunday 11th November 2012, a multi-million dollar private jet was
gifted to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN)/President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) – Pastor
Ayo Oritsejafor, an event which later became one of the hottest topics
on Nigeria’s media sphere. The acquisition of the private jet by the
Pastor was followed by a plethora of comments and debates on whether it
was appropriate for a “man of God” to own such an expensive item. It was
to became one of the most sensational topics of 2012.
Patience Jonathan |
The
first lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan was perhaps one of the most
talked about women in Nigeria in 2012. She made the headlines several
times, for diverse reasons and every time she did, she exuded this
“you-can’t-stop-me” confidence that always made news about her a
trending topic. From her appointment as a permanent secretary in Bayelsa
state, to the mystery shrouding her prolonged stay in Germany for
health reasons and her carnival like reception upon her return, the
First Lady always had some drama around her.
CBN, Lamido Sanusi, N5,000 Notes |
The
apex banking institution in Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria and
its Governor, Lamido Sanusi were prominent names in financial related
news this year. The bank came up with a number of policies, suggestions
and reforms that were trending topics across the nation. In August 2012,
Sanusi announced that the apex bank was going to introduce N5000 notes
into circulation, a move which was resisted by most Nigerians and was
eventually thwarted by the Presidency and House of Reps. The CBN also
made mention of introducing coins dispensing ATM Machines, graphic ATMs
for the physically challenged and halted the N100 charge for inter-bank
ATM withdrawals.
Chinua Achebe vs Awolowo |
The
renown novelist, Chinua Achebe, brewed up quite a storm this year
following the release of his long awaited war memoirs ‘There was a
Country’. The book received some good reviews, however, his accusation
of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, one of Nigeria’s most respected
leaders of being part of the genocide brought up perhaps one of the most
heated debates in the comment section on BellaNaija. The piece written
by another renown novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie titled “We Remember
Differently” brought up another round of debates
Wait a minute! Do you remember #Occupy Nigeria? It
is more than just a News item; it became a movement! The #Occupy fever
spread from the far West and soon landed in Nigeria en route North
Africa. Only it was ignited by a January 1st announcement of the removal
of fuel subsidy and a corresponding increase in the pump price of
petrol. Nigerians would not have any of it, and in less than 24 hours,
what would become one of the nation’s most significant civil mass
protests began. Small groups of determined Nigerians multiplied across
several major cities and increased rapidly in size, no thanks to the
growing influence of social media and technology in propagating
information. More than 16 people died in the ensuing seven days plus of
civil disobedience that saw the Nigeria Police Force and (Nigerian
soldiers in Lagos) cracking down on protesters. Check out the website
here: www.occupynigeria.org.ng
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