Historical Rift Between Ora Ekpen and Crown Prince Esigie

They are also known as the Owan people in Edo. It is reported that Okpameh (also called Uguan), son of Oba Ewaure, left the Kingdom of Benin after being ordered not to commit murders. He went to the northern part and settled in a certain place which he called Odorlerene (somewhere in present-day Ora). Okpameh was a very powerful and famous hunter who was respected for killing the fearsome leopard (Ekpen). He married Lady Uokha, who bore him a son, whom he named (due to the circumstances of his birth) Ora Ekpen. Ora Ekpen then gave birth to children who form today’s Ora community. Okpameh later received news of the death…

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West African Pilot Newspaper by Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Pioneer Entrepreneurial Black Journalism

The West African Pilot was a newspaper founded on November 22, 1937, by Nnamdi Azikiwe (“Zika”) in Nigeria, dedicated to the struggle for independence from British colonial rule. He was known for introducing popular journalism to Nigeria. The newspaper pioneered entrepreneurial black journalism. The newspaper linked football with social justice. Azikiwe’s Article used football to reinforce the growing unpopularity of colonization in Nigeria. With a circulation of around 25,000 copies and a significantly larger readership, the newspaper enjoyed great popularity. This article marked the beginning of popular journalism in Nigeria. West African Pilot spawned a chain of newspapers positioned as city…

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Students in the Electronics Department at Comprehensive High School Aiyetoro, Ogun State in the 1960s.

Aiyetoro, or “Compro” as it was called by students, was the first school in the country to offer basic subjects in electronics, applied electricity and motor mechanics at “O” level. These were supplementary courses to other technical subjects such as carpentry, metal carpentry and technical drawing. The school was the second comprehensive school in the country after the Government Secondary School, Port Harcourt, which was established in 1962 in collaboration with the then Government of Eastern Nigeria and USAID. Its founders came from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The school was founded as a pioneering comprehensive school in Africa. In addition to technical subjects,…

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Remember the Popular Abacha Stove, Read Details Below

Political instability in Nigeria under the Abacha administration in 1993/94 as a result of the annulment of the June 12, 1992, presidential election led by the late business tycoon Chief M.K.O. had won. Abiola- caused a severe shortage of kerosene which was clearly felt in various parts of the country. Kerosene shortage led to the invention of the Abacha Coal-Pot, a locally made coal stove. Over the years, Abacha Coal-Pot cooking technology has become widespread, and its use has spread rapidly due to the continuous rise in prices of kerosene and cooking gas. In Nigeria, the official price of kerosene per liter has increased by more than 200% in the last…

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Reign of Ugochukwu Bomboy in Oshodi Before the Era of MC Oluomo

Ugochukwu Bomboy was born in Oshodi to Igbo parents from Eastern Nigeria. Bomboy has a brother named Austinero, who bears a striking resemblance to his brother Bomboy. His mother was a street vendor and always found a way to support her family. Previously, Oshodi, a foreigner, had done everything he could to avoid crossing the area, especially at night, for fear of being harassed, attacked, raped or robbed. Street children and hooligans take the law into their own hands, and since there is no traditional ruler in Oshodi, it is a place where every hooligan fights for recognition. Transporters, traders, dealers and markets are afraid of criminals.In the early 1990s, Ugochukwu Dum Obiora, a famous local boy known…

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Details of the 17th century to 20th Century Ancient Aro-Ibibio Wars

The Aro-Ibibio Wars were a series of conflicts between the Aro (Arochukwu) people (a subgroup of the Igbo) and the Ibibio people in what is now southeastern Nigeria, in the Ibom Kingdom, from 1630 to 1902. These wars led to the creation of the kingdom Arochukwu. Before the arrival of the Igbo in the Aro area, a group of Proto-Ibibio migrated to the region and founded the Ibom…

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Recounts his Experience as an inmate in Yola Prison

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo with his wife Stella Obasanjo after his release from Yola Prison in June 1998. Obasanjo’s journey to prison began in 1995 when General Sani Abacha, the late head of state, sentenced him to 30 years in prison for a coup. The former president was later released in 1998. He then took part in the 1999 presidential election and won it under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).…

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Throwback Photo of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole in Iyamho, Auchi, Edo State

Adams Oshiomhole decided that he had to continue his studies. Therefore, he left Nigeria in 1975 and enrolled at Ruskin College, Oxford, United Kingdom, to study industrial relations with a specialization in labor economics. He also attended the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Plateau Nigeria in 1989, which made him a member of the National Institute (MNI).

The beautiful Love Story of Clarion Chukwura and Sir Shina Peters That Birthed Their Son Clarence Abiodun Peters

When Oluwashina Akanbi Peters met Clarion Chukwura in 1982, Sir Shina Peters, as he was popularly known, was already making waves in the Nigerian music industry. He was, as he called himself, the “founder and pioneer” of Afro-Juju music in Nigeria. By 1982, SSP had already released three albums three years in a row: Way to Freedom (1980), Freedom (Senwele) (1981) and Money Power (1982). However, Afro Juju’s path to fame was littered with pitfalls. As a boy, he rebelled against his parents, gave up his education and claimed he wanted to be a musician. His parents did not agree with his decision and gave…

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British Song Writer, Paul McCartney Makes Interesting Revelation About Legendary Artist, Fela Kuti’s Smoking Habit.

For his 1973 album Band on the Run, former Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney chose to record in Lagos after his EMI label suggested the city. When McCartney arrived in Nigeria, he discovered newspaper headlines about Fela Kuti, accusing him of “coming to steal a black man’s music.” To remedy the situation, McCartney invites Fela to his studio so that the Afrobeat pioneer can hear his songs. McCartney shared this in a candid interview with Marc Maron for the WTF podcast, where he also discussed other memories from his time with The Beatles and his solo career.…

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Intriguing Story of The Peaceful Ijebu Igbo

Prince Oshimore and his wife Adorake are said to have migrated from Ife Island to Ijebu Ode in the 15th century, where he became king and ruled over Ijebu Oda. From time to time, envoys were sent from Ile Ife to inquire about the welfare of King Oshimore. This is because there was chaos and war during their reign and since he (Oshimore) was descended from the ruling king of Ife, he may have needed warriors to help him in his empire by incorporating the…

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Meet Solomon Osagie Alonge, Most Renowned Photographer in Africa during the Early 20th Century

Solomon Osagie Alonge (1911-1994) was born in Benin, Nigeria. He learned English at the Benin Baptist Primary School and in 1925, at the age of 14, moved to Lagos, where he lived with an uncle to learn a trade. He quickly became interested in photography and began professional practice to expand his knowledge and skills. For Alonge, photography proves to be a lucrative and respected profession. In 1930 he returned to Benin and began photography in his home on Rue Ugbague. He often traveled outside Benin by bicycle, taking annual portraits at schools and gathering at social…

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Protest Rocks Lagos Over Postponement of General Elections

A heavily armed riot police unit marches through a street in Lagos to disperse a crowd of demonstrators demanding a postponement of the December 1964 federal election. General elections were held in Nigeria on December 30, 1964, but in some constituencies in the Eastern, Lagos and West Central regions they were not held until March 18, 1965, due to the December boycott. During the elections, most parties operated in alliances, the Nigerian National Alliance (Northern People’s Congress, Nigerian National Democratic Party, West Central Democratic Front, Dynamic Party, Niger…

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Creation of Katsina State in Northern Nigeria

Katsina is one of the oldest states in Nigeria, emerging from the former Kaduna State and located in the northwest geopolitical zone of the country. It is a state that emerged from the ancient Hausa/Fulani kingdoms, particularly the two ancient kingdoms “Katsina and Daura”. According to research, the other ancient Hausa kingdoms included Kano, Gobir, Zazzau, Rano and Biram (Garun Gabas), forming the beginning of the Hausa country. Therefore, at the time of publication of this article, the state capital Katsina and the city of Daura are considered bastions of political activity in the country. The Kingdom of Katsina, one of the Bakwai Hausa, called the “seven true Hausa states,” is…

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