Citadines Hotels Limited

09/03/2026

Obasanjo’s Release and Nigeria’s Political Turning Point in 1998

A striking photograph taken in 1998 shows Olusegun Obasanjo shortly after his release from prison, greeting Emeka Anyaoku, then Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. Captured by renowned Nigerian photojournalist Sumi Smart-Cole, the image symbolizes a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s modern political history—when the country began transitioning away from years of military rule toward democratic governance.

Background: Imprisonment Under Military Rule

In 1995, Obasanjo, a former military head of state who ruled Nigeria from 1976 to 1979, was arrested and imprisoned by the regime of military ruler Sani Abacha. He was accused of participating in an alleged coup plot against the government. International observers and human-rights organizations widely criticized the trial, describing it as politically motivated.
During Abacha’s rule (1993–1998), Nigeria faced significant international isolation. The country was suspended from the Commonwealth following the ex*****on of activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders in 1995, an event that intensified global pressure on the regime.

Abacha’s Death and the Release of Political Prisoners

The sudden death of Abacha in June 1998 marked a dramatic turning point. His successor, Abdulsalami Abubakar, quickly initiated reforms aimed at restoring Nigeria’s international standing and guiding the country back to civilian rule.
One of Abubakar’s first actions was to release several political detainees, including Obasanjo. The meeting between Obasanjo and Anyaoku—occurring just days after his release—reflected renewed diplomatic engagement and optimism that Nigeria would return to democratic governance.

A Path Toward Democratic Leadership

The events of 1998 ultimately reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape. Within a year of his release, Obasanjo entered politics again and emerged as a consensus candidate during Nigeria’s transition process. In 1999 he was elected president, marking the beginning of the country’s Fourth Republic and serving two civilian terms until 2007.

Historical Significance of the Photograph

The photograph stands as more than a simple greeting between two prominent figures. It represents:

The end of a period marked by authoritarian military rule.

Nigeria’s gradual reintegration into the international community.

The beginning of a political journey that would lead Obasanjo back to national leadership through democratic elections.

Moments such as this capture the fragile yet hopeful atmosphere of Nigeria in 1998—a period when the nation stood at the threshold of a new democratic era.

Source:
BBC News – “Olusegun Obasanjo: Nigeria’s former military ruler turned civilian president” (Photo by Sumi Smart-Cole).

09/03/2026

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09/03/2026

Growing up in Nigeria in the 1950s and 1960s, Celetina Mgbemena dreamed of becoming an engineer. But after primary school, her parents could not afford to send her to secondary school.

In 1965, she secured a place at a radio and television studies school in Onitsha, where she trained for three years to become a competent electronics technician.

By 1971, at just 22, Celetina was running an electronics firm in Enugu, then part of East Central State. She started the workshop with a colleague and a modest capital of £45, making her one of the few women in the field at the time.

She said, "Women have to get over the feeling of inferiority to men with which they have been brainwashed. Many of the things women believe they cannot do are in fact things they can do very well.

➡️TRUST/Archivi

ℹ️Ethnic African Stories

09/03/2026

Chief Remi Fani-Kayode: The Influential Western Region Politician Captured in a 1964 Drum Magazine Photograph

A glimpse into the political influence and public image of a powerful Nigerian leader during the First Republic

A photograph published in March 1964 by Drum Magazine captures an intriguing social moment involving Remilekun Adetokunbo Fani‑Kayode, popularly known as Chief Remi Fani-Kayode. The image shows the influential Nigerian politician taking time off from official duties to dance at a ball with Mrs Opral Benson, highlighting both his public stature and his presence in elite social circles during Nigeria’s First Republic.
At the time, Fani-Kayode served as Deputy Premier of the Western Region, one of the most powerful political positions in the regional government structure. According to the magazine’s commentary, if a public opinion poll had been conducted in Western Nigeria then, he would likely have emerged as the most powerful and popular politician in the region.
The photograph therefore offers more than a social snapshot; it provides insight into the political climate, leadership personalities, and cultural life of Nigeria in the early 1960s.

Political Background of Remi Fani-Kayode

Chief Remilekun Adetokunbo Fani-Kayode was born in 1921 in Lagos, into a distinguished Yoruba family. His father, Victor Babaremilekun Adetokunbo Fani‑Kayode, was a prominent legal practitioner and nationalist figure.
Fani-Kayode received a strong education both in Nigeria and abroad. He studied law in the United Kingdom and was called to the Bar before returning to Nigeria to pursue a career in law, politics, and public service.
During the period leading up to Nigeria’s independence and the early years that followed, he became deeply involved in regional politics in the Western Region of Nigeria, one of the three major regions that formed the country’s political structure at the time.

Role in Western Region Government

By the early 1960s, Chief Fani-Kayode had risen to become Deputy Premier of the Western Region, serving under Samuel Ladoke Akintola, the Premier of the region.
The Western Region was one of the most politically vibrant and economically significant parts of Nigeria during the First Republic. It had earlier been governed by the Obafemi Awolowo, whose administration implemented several pioneering social and educational programmes.
However, political divisions within the region intensified during the early 1960s, especially following conflicts within the ruling political party. The crisis led to the formation of new political alliances, and figures like Fani-Kayode became central actors in the unfolding political drama.

The Drum Magazine Feature

Drum Magazine was one of the most widely read publications across Africa during the mid-twentieth century. Known for its rich photography and cultural reporting, the magazine documented politics, entertainment, and social life across the continent.
In its March 1964 edition, the magazine published the photograph of Chief Fani-Kayode dancing with Mrs Opral Benson at a formal ball. The accompanying caption noted that the politician was “taking time off from work,” a remark that humanised a figure otherwise associated with intense political activity.
The magazine further observed that Fani-Kayode was widely regarded by the masses as a “saviour”, highlighting the level of public admiration he enjoyed at the time.
Such portrayals were common in mid-century African magazines, which often presented political leaders as charismatic personalities who combined authority with social charm.

Popularity and Political Image

The caption’s claim that Fani-Kayode would have topped a popularity poll reflects the perception of his influence in Western Nigerian politics during that era.
As Deputy Premier, he wielded significant power within the regional government. His political strength stemmed from several factors:

His close association with leading political figures in the region

His legal training and intellectual background

His strong connection with grassroots political networks

These attributes helped shape his image as a dynamic and influential leader in the Western Region’s political structure.

Social and Cultural Context of the Photograph

The image of a prominent politician dancing at a ball also reflects the social culture of Nigeria’s political elite during the early post-independence years.
Formal balls, receptions, and social gatherings were common among government officials, diplomats, and members of the professional class. These events served as spaces where politics, diplomacy, and social networking often intersected.
In this context, the photograph illustrates how political leaders were not only public administrators but also active participants in the social life of the elite.

Historical Significance

Although the photograph captures a seemingly casual moment, it reflects a period of intense political activity in Nigeria.
The early 1960s were marked by rising tensions in the Western Region, culminating in political crises that contributed to the eventual collapse of the First Republic. By 1966, Nigeria experienced its first military coup, bringing an end to the civilian government.
Images such as the one published in Drum Magazine therefore offer valuable glimpses into the personalities and atmosphere of Nigerian politics during the final years before this dramatic transformation.

Sources

Drum Magazine, March 1964 Edition

Bailey’s African History Archive

Historical studies on politics in the Western Region of Nigeria during the First Republic

Biographical records of Chief Remi Fani-Kayode

09/03/2026

"We are tagging the ADC a gay party. If they say they are not gay, they must come to court and open their bum bum for the whole world to see." - Jarrett Tenebe, Edo APC Chairman.

[Details in comments]

08/11/2025

🚀☀️ The Plane That Flew Around The World — Without A Single Drop Of Fuel!

Switzerland’s Solar Impulse 2 made aviation history by flying 42,438 km (26,098 miles) around the globe using 100% solar power 🌍🔋

Powered by 17,248 solar cells and four electric motors, this engineering marvel:

✅ Took off from Abu Dhabi in 2015
✅ Flew across Asia, the Pacific, the U.S., and Europe
✅ Completed the flight in 16 months — without emitting any CO₂

Pilots Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg proved that:

🌞 Clean energy works — even in the skies
🌱 Innovation can power a sustainable future
🌎 The world doesn’t need fossil fuels to keep moving forward

This wasn’t just a flight — it was a message:
If a plane can fly day and night on solar energy, so can our homes, our cities, and our world.

18/10/2025

06/10/2025

I gained 109 followers, created 4 posts and received 1 reaction in the past 90 days! Thank you all for your continued support. I could not have done it without you. 🙏🤗🎉

22/09/2025