2016: The Year In Review (Photos)
Major headlines by month
january
Davido’s child custody drama
Adeboye predicts new sexually transmitted disease in 2016
63 deaths in six months: How Lassa fever exposed Nigeria’s primary health care
February
Bread seller Olajumoke becomes a model
It has not always been this good for 27-year-old Jumoke Orisaguna. About one week earlier, she was hawking freshly-baked bread across the streets of Sabo, Yaba and environs in almost tattered dresses and worn-out slippers.
My marriage to Oyakhilome has been dissolved – Anita
Pastor Anita Ebhodaghe says she has secured a divorce with the founder and Pastor of Christ Embassy, Chris Oyakhilome.
Boy,17, becomes king in Delta after father’s murder
Fifteen-year-old Chukwuka Noah became Obi (king) Akaeze I of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State on Saturday.
Sunday Oliseh resigns as Super Eagles coach
Sunday Oliseh has announced his resignation as Super Eagles Coach. The former Nigerian International announced his decision to end his increasingly controversial tenure on Twitter.
PUNCH launches ‘Free Ese’ campaign: Kano man steals, forcefully marries 14-yr-old Bayelsa girl
On August 12, 2015, nothing indicated to Mrs. Rose Oruru, a food vendor in Opolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, that she would soon face an ordeal over her 14-year-old daughter, Ese.
Supreme Court affirms Rev King’s death sentence on birthday
The Supreme Court has affirmed the death sentence passed on the General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly, Chukwuemeka Ezeugo (aka Rev. King), by a Lagos High Court in Ikeja for the murder and attempted murder of some members of his church in 2006.
Court orders EFCC to seize Tompolo’s assets
Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday authorised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to seize some assets belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.March
Fuel scarcity: Tinubu hits Kachikwu hard
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, on Saturday got a tongue-lashing from the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over his recent comments on the lingering fuel scarcity in the country.
Abducted colonel found dead in Kaduna
A Senior Nigerian Army Officer, Col. Samaila Inusa, who was reportedly abducted at gunpoint at the Refinery Junction in Chikun Local Government of Kaduna State was found dead on Tuesday.
Queens College: FG inaugurates panel to probe alleged sexual assault
The Federal Government has set up a panel to investigate the allegations that a Junior Secondary School II female student of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos was sexually assaulted by a male teacher.
Violence mars Rivers poll, Wike’s aides, thugs arrested
No fewer than seven persons were feared killed during the National and State Assemblies re-run election that was held in Rivers State on Saturday.
Ambode silent as 15 gunmen abduct three Lagos schoolgirls
Parents of pupils of Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary School, a private school in the Ikorodu area of Lagos, have blamed the abduction of three schoolgirls of the college on security lapses in the school.
We operate patients with lamps, torchlight – UITH doctors
The immediate past president of the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital branch, Dr. Oyinlola Oluwagbemiga and his successor, Dr. Ade Faponle, on Wednesday said that due to epileptic power supply in the hospital, doctors have had to use lamps, torchlight and phone lights to treat patients.
We found $1m in Badeh’s N1.1bn house – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that its operatives found cash sum of $1m in the bedroom of an Abuja mansion of the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh (retd).April
Nigerians pay tribute as palace announces oba of benin, erediauwa’s death
The Oba of Benin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolopkolo Erediauwa, has passed on.
Horror: Rejected suitor butchers MTN worker, stabs victim’s mother
In fact, months after they all knew 45-year-old David Ogundele, an engineer, who was deeply obsessed with 30-year-old Oluwatosin, they had no idea they had a killer on their hands.
My marriage with Tee Billz is over – Tiwa Savage
Finally, singer Tiwa Savage, has opened up to say her own side of the issues she has in her marriage.Earlier in the week, her husband, Tee Billz, had gone on a social media rant, accusing his wife of infidelity and so many other issues.
May
Tomato ‘Ebola’ hits six states
The Federal Government on Tuesday said the pest, Tuta absoluta, popularly known as ‘Tomato Ebola’, which is responsible for the massive destruction of tomato in farmlands, had invaded six states in Nigeria.
CBN adopts flexible forex policy as reserves dip to $26.6bn
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has directed the management of the apex bank to adopt a flexible exchange rate policy in the inter-bank forex management structure.
Boko Haram, herdsmen kill over 3,000 under Buhari
No fewer than 3,094 Nigerians have been killed by suspected Boko Haram insurgents and Fulani herdsmen since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015.
Court jails ex-NIMASA boss, Omatseye, for five years
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Friday convicted a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Raymond Omatseye, of N1.5bn contract scam and sentenced him to five years imprisonment.
Nigeria declared fantastically corrupt
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday agreed with the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, that Nigeria “is a fantastically corrupt” country.
Another Chibok girl rescued, Amina visits Buhari
TWO days after the rescue of one of the 200 schoolgirls abducted from the Chibok community in Borno State, another schoolgirl was rescued on Thursday night.Labour kicks as FG raises petrol price to N145/litre
Following months of uncertainty in which Nigerians endured debilitating shortage of petrol, the Federal Government on Wednesday finally ended the subsidy regime on the product and approved an increase in the pump price.June
$1.5m Dubai mansions: Buratai should resign or be sacked –Falana, Junaid, others
Some prominent Nigerians on Sunday demanded that if the Chief Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, failed to resign from his position following the revelation that he bought two houses in Dubai, worth $1.5m, he should be sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Man abandons son for bag of rice in Kano
A middle-aged man, identified as Mallam Yusuf Bala, on Sunday at Singer Market, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State forfeited his five-year-old son for a bag of rice.
Militants attack Lagos, Ogun communities, kill 20
No fewer than 20 persons were reportedly killed after suspected militants invaded some villages in Imushin, a boundary community between Lagos and Ogun States.
Ronke Shonde buried, alleged killer husband sent to Ikoyi Prison
Tears flowed at the Atan Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos as the remains of 36-year-old Ronke Shonde, who was allegedly killed by her husband, Lekan, were buried on Friday.
Sex scandal: US govt cancels three Reps’ visas, Dogara orders probe
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, on Thursday, directed the investigation of three members of the House for an alleged sex scandal.
Forex crisis: Nigerian students abroad apply to home universities
Many Nigerian students studying abroad have been seeking transfer to Nigerian universities to complete their education at home because of the scarcity of foreign exchange.
Army sacks Jonathan, Yar’Adua’s ex-ADCs, 58 others
The Nigerian Army Council has retired a former Aide de Camp to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; Col. Ojogbane Adegbe; a former Principal Secretary to an ex -National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.); Col. Nicholas Achinze, a former ADC to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, Brig. Gen. A. H. Sa’ad; and 57 other senior officers.July
Military rains bombs on Ijaw militants in South-West
No fewer than 100 people suspected to be militants have been reportedly killed as the Nigerian military on Saturday continued the aerial bombardment of Fatola, the base of militants and pipeline vandals in the Arepo area of Ogun State.
I’ve forgiven Danjuma, others for killing my father — Fajuyi’s son
Eldest son of the first military governor of the former Western region, Lt. Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, Femi, said he had forgiven those who participated in the assassination of the father on July 29, 1966.
Nigerian children rescued, mum drowns at sea
Two unidentified Nigerian siblings aged 11 and 10, were rescued in the Mediterranean on Friday after losing their mother while on a dangerous journey to Europe.
Ambassadorial nominees unable to recite national anthem, pledge
The Senate on Tuesday began the screening of the 47 ambassadorial nominees sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari for legislative approval.
IBB ousted me to stop Gusau’s sacking for corruption –Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari said that he was kicked out of office on August 27, 1985 by the then Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, because he was fighting corruption.
Pastor keeps nine-year-old son in chain for a month
The Ogun State Police Command have commenced a manhunt for a pastor who allegedly chained his son inside a room for over month.
Food prices soar as inflation hits 11-year high
In the past six months, the prices of essential food items have risen significantly in consonance with the rising level of inflation in the country, which hit an 11-year high of 16.5 per cent last month.
Arase left with 24 police vehicles –Acting IG
The acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, says his predecessor, Solomon Arase, went away with 24 police vehicles while the seven Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, who retired alongside him, also carted away between seven and eight cars each.August
Facebook CEO in Nigeria, excited about technology drive
Facebook’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Zuckerberg, is currently in Nigeria to see how Facebook can better support technology development and entrepreneurship in the country and other African nations.
Kuje Prison riot: Boko Haram prisoner caught with 25 phones
Sporadic gunfire caused pandemonium at Kuje Prison, Abuja, on Monday, following a riot by some inmates, who resisted the attempt by prison officials to search their cells for banned items.Man sets wife, son, daughter ablaze over property
A 43-year-old teacher, Gbemisola Edward, and her 11-year-old daughter, Dolapo, have been confirmed dead at an Ogun State hospital after suffering from severe burns.
Buhari is nice but lacks political experience — Farunkanmi
Second Republic Senator and a member of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria, Olorunimbe Farunkanmi speaks with PETER DADA about his relationship with Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the 1996 coup and other national issues
IDPs protest poor feeding, block Borno highway
The decision of the government followed a protest by a large number of the IDPs on some major roads in Maiduguri, the state campaign over their feeding system.
Chibok girls: Uproar as Buhari shuns protesters
There were angry reactions on Monday after President Muhammadu Buhari shunned the #BringBackOurGirls group and the parents of the Chibok schoolgirls who were abducted by the Boko Haram sect 861 days ago.
Mayowa Ahmed of #SaveMayowa campaign is dead
The family of sick ovarian cancer patient, Mayowa Ahmed have announced the death of their sister who had been flown to South Africa for treatment.
Man who named dog Buhari sent to prison
The man who named his dog Buhari, Joachim Iroko, aka Joe, was remanded on Monday at the Ibara Prison following his arraignment at the Ota Magistrate Court 2, Ogun State.September
Nigeria in worst possible time, says finance minister… as NBS confirms recession
The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, on Wednesday admitted that Nigeria was in its worst possible time with the Gross Domestic Product figures for the 2016 second quarter released by the National Bureau of Statistics showing the nation’s economy now in recession.
Aviation crisis worsens as another airline suspends operations
Hundreds of passengers of Nigeria’s biggest airline, Arik Air, were left stranded at airports across the country and beyond on Tuesday because of suspension of flight operations by the carrier.
Economic recession: Banks, insurance firms slash workers’ salaries
Hit by the current economic recession in the country, most money deposit banks and insurance firms have slashed their workers’ salaries by between 20 and 50 per cent.
Chibok girls: Rights group attack FG as police halt BBOG protest
A gale of condemnation, on Tuesday, followed the disruption of a protest by the Bring Back Our Girls campaigners in Abuja, who were stopped by security operatives and a group claiming to be supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari from seeing the President.
FG spends N5bn on presidential jets in 15 months
Despite the biting economic recession in the country, the Federal Government has spent the sum of N5bn on the 10-aicraft Presidential Air Fleet in the last 15 months, document obtained exclusively from the Presidency by Saturday punch has revealed.
Hausa, Fulani in bloody clash in Lagos
There was chaos on Wednesday at the Lagos State Abattoir, Agege, as Hausa and Fulani traders clashed.
Crisis hits APC as Tinubu says Oyegun must go
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, has demanded the removal of the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, over what he called the latter’s anti-democratic handling of the party affairs.
FG, governors okay sale of national assets
The National Economic Council, which comprises Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and 36 state governors, has endorsed plans by the Federal Government to sell some national assets as part of efforts to address the current economic recession in the country.October
Ex-gov Sylva reclaims 48 houses from EFCC
A former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has retrieved 48 of his properties seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
FG puts up N7bn presidential jets for sale
The Presidency on Tuesday confirmed that newspaper advertisements for the sale of two presidential aircraft, a Falcon 7X executive jet and Hawker 4000, were duly authorised by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Dollar shortage: Erisco, tomato paste maker, suspends operations
About 1,500 employees of a Lagos-based tomato paste manufacturer, Erisco Foods Limited, are set to lose their jobs as the firm has shut down its $150m plant in Lagos.
Parents storm Lagos school as gunmen abduct teachers, pupils
As pupils of Lagos Junior Model College, Igbonla, Epe, were rounding off their assembly on Thursday, five gunmen and a woman invaded the school and abducted six persons.
From lecture rooms to mental hospitals: How drug is killing Nigerian undergraduates
The 23-year-old university undergraduate looked cool, well-dressed and spoke English fluently, but it wasn’t long before the nurses who attended to him knew that he was mentally deranged.
Biographer reveals Buhari’s problems with APC leaders
The newly-published biography of President Muhammadu Buhari has given an insight into the crisis of confidence currently rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying the President is largely seen as not being “a natural party politician.”
Buhari’s DSS boys go crazy
A pall of darkness descended on the nation’s judiciary on Friday night and the early hours of Saturday, as gun-wielding security agents swooped on the residences of senior judges, breaking doors and threatening to harm their family members and aides.
Tears as freed 21 Chibok girls meet VP, Osinbajo
There were strong indications on Thursday that the Federal Government freed some top Boko Haram commanders for the 21 Chibok girls, who were released by the insurgents at Banki, a border town between Nigeria and Cameroon.November
How stowaway was found dead on Arik Air plane
The lifeless body of a stowaway was on Wednesday found in the main wheel well of one of Arik Air’s A330-200 aircraft at the Oliver Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg.
Nigerian striker, Michael Uchebo’s quest for greener pastures in Portugal ends in ‘slavery’
The search for greener pastures has turned into a nightmare for Nigerian international Michael Uchebo, who currently has a contract with Portuguese top-flight club Boavista.
Why I omitted Tinubu in my victory speech – Akeredolu
The Ondo State Governor-elect, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, on Wednesday said he did not acknowledge a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in his victory speech on Sunday because it was not expedient to do so.
Dangote will be president, Archbishop Amu predicts
A former Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop George Amu, has said God has shown him that Nigerian billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will one day become the nation’s President.
I approved DSS raids, arrest of judges – AGF
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, said on Tuesday that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had no exclusive rights to any investigations, including matters relating solely to financial crimes.
BREAKING: Senate orders NCC to stop planned data price hike
The Senate on Wednesday asked the Nigerian Communications Commission to immediately stop planned data tariff hike.
UPDATED: Plane carrying Brazilian football team crashes in Colombia
A plane carrying 81 people, including members of a Brazilian football team, crashed late Monday near the Colombian city of Medellin, after reporting “electrical failures,” officials said.December
Ex-Unilag begger becomes lawyer, thanks PUNCH
A former street beggar, Mr. Abdulsalam Idowu, heaved a sigh of fulfilment of a life ambition as he was called to the bar to start practising as a lawyer in Nigeria on Wednesday.
NCC bows to pressure, suspends data tariff increase
The Nigerian Communications Commission has suspended its directive to telecommunications operators to increase tariffs on data services available on their networks.
I’ve destroyed my Green Card, says Soyinka
Nobel prize-winning author, Prof. Wole Soyinka, said on Thursday he had fulfilled his pledge to throw away his US residency green card and leave the country if Donald Trump won the presidential election.
Panic as MMM freezes three million Nigerians’ accounts
Popular money-doubling scheme, Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox, better known as MMM, has placed a one-month ban on all withdrawals starting from December 13.
Comments