Unforgettable Events That Happened in 2014

2015 is here with so much excitement and hope for many people. With many dreaming of a better year than the one that just went by, let’s take a walk down memory lane to revisit some major events that shaped 2014.  

Abduction of the Chibok Girls:

The BringBackOurGirls campaign is one that will continue to remain constant on our minds following the abduction of 276 girls in Chibok, Borno state by the Boko Haram terrorists group. The abduction of the girls threw the entire globe into an uproar as millions of people lent their voices to the struggle to see to the release of the school girls. Although a few girls managed to escape, it is sad to know that most of these girls remain missing as of the time of this write-up and one can only continue to hope that one day they would see the light of freedom.

Ebola Outbreak:

Can Nigerians and indeed the world be quick to forget the Ebola outbreak? That question needs no genius to provide an answer. When Liberian Patrick Sawyer brought Ebola into Nigeria in July 2014, the entire nation was thrown into a state of panic. Hundreds of people were quarantined as the disease rampaged Nigeria and 7 deaths were recorded from the deadly virus prominent of which were two medical staff of First Consultants hospital, Stella Adadevoh and Justina Ejelonu. Due to the quick intervention of the government, the spread of the disease was curtailed and Lagos was declared an Ebola free state in September while the World Health Organization declared Nigeria an ebola free country in October.

P Square Separation:

When the rumour mills buzzed with news of a possible separation between music sensation twin brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye popularly known as P Square, the entire populace got talking. Considered Africa’s biggest music duo, the brothers have entertained Africans and indeed the world at large for a number of years now. Popular for their energetic dance moves and chart topping songs, their runoured separation almost stopped the hearts of many. Thankfully, they settled their differences and fans can continue to enjoy the music of the Okoye brothers.   

The Deaths of Icons Dora Akinyuli and Kefee:

2014 has some sad memories as we recorded the death of former NAFDAC boss, Professor Dora Akinyuli as well as the death of gospel singer Kefee. The deaths of these two female icons shook the nation and they will always be remembered for their contributions in their different fields to the development of Nigeria. Kefee was laid to rest in July while Dora Akinyuli was buried in August.

National Assembly Saga:

When news broke out that speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive’s Congress (APC), the political terrain became a hot zone. His security details got withdrawn and on November 20, armed security guards took over the national assembly to reportedly prevent the speaker from gaining access. The sight of our lawmakers climbing the gates to gain access became a comic spectacle for all and sundry and obviously ranks as an unforgettable memory of 2014.

The Sack and Reinstatement of Stephen Keshi:

If you are an ardent follower of the news, then you would know that Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi dominated the headlines in 2014. His made the news following the announcement of his sack as the coach of the Super Eagles. He was replaced with Amodu Shaibu, a former national team trainer. He was later reinstated and the cause of his sack was attributed to the inability of the National Football Federation (NFF) to reach an agreement with him as regards salary.  

Tiwa Savage’s Rumoured Break Up and Ini Edo’s Failed Marriage:

Mavin Records first lady Tiwa Savage is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most talented songstress and when news that her marriage was having troubles broke on the social media, fans went into a frenzy. On a good note, the sexy singer’s marriage is still intact but fellow celebrity Ini Edo wasn’t so fortunate. Nollywood diva, Ini Edo remains one of Nollywood’s most cherished actresses but sadly her marriage to Philip Ehiagwina crashed in 2014 amidst cheating rumours.

Immigration Recruitment Stampede:

The high level of unemployment and suffering in Nigeria became apparent in March 2014 when the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) had over 67,000 applicants for a 5,000 vacancies. Sadly seven lives were lost in a stampede that occurred at the venue of the test in Abuja leading to a nationwide criticism of the government.

Super Falcons Win African Women Championship:

The female national football team Super Falcons did the nation proud on October 25th, 2014 when they won the African Women Championship in Namibia. Asisat Oshola was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Unveiling of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium:

The unveiling of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom was a remarkable event of 2014. The event had in attendance the Presidents of Ghana and Cote D' Ivoire, John Dramani Mahama and Alassane Quattara, respectively. The stadium has a 30,000 sitting capacity and was constructed by the state government. The stadium is said to have been built to contribute to the development of sports in Akwa Ibom. The stadium is a two-tier structure which includes a 400m-running track for athletics. It is the pilot part of the Uyo Sports Park development. It sits on 36.3 hectares of land and is enclosed by a white triangular-shaped outer covering.

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