As the year 2021 gradually comes to an end, it is time to look back and see the good, sad and happy moments that Nigerians experienced. It feels just like yesterday that people were celebrating a new year, rejoicing and thanking the almighty God on how the country survived the dreaded Covid-19 outbreak. Now that another December has come, it will be thoughtful to look back at the developmental, inspirational, sad and happy moments of the year 2021. Below are some of the notable developments to consider.

1. Reopening Of Tertiary Institutions After Months Of Closure

In January 2021, the presidential task force on Covid-19 decided to lift the indefinite closure of Tertiary institutions across the country. Students were desperate to return to school after sitting at home for more than seven months. Many took to their social media platforms to celebrate the reopening of schools. As a result of the closure of tertiary institutions, academic calendars were disrupted, graduations were postponed and the general academic plans were affected. The holiday which many students expected to last for a month took more than seven months.


2. Nigeria's Ngozie Okonjo Iweala Emerged President Of World Trade Organisation

The emergence of Nigeria's ex-finance minister as the new president of the world trade organisation has elicited joy, pride and celebration among Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations. It was a moment of newfound unity considering how members of the opposition parties congratulated her for the victory. Prior to the elections, Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has stated on his verified Twitter handle that he is making calls to other world leaders to solicit support for her aspirations.
Mrs Okonjo Iweala is the first woman to become president of the international trade body since the formation of the trade organisation. It was indeed a historic moment for Nigeria because this development will promote the country's image and reputation in the international community.


3. Emergence Of More Bandit Groups

As if the country has not suffered enough from the wrath of Covid-19, more bandit groups emerged in the northwestern region of the country. These groups are more notorious and cruel because they resorted to mass kidnappings of students in government secondary schools in order to demand huge ransoms from the government. Some of the notorious bandit commanders such as Yellow, Dogo Gide, etc were apprehended or neutralised by the security forces while Turji Bello remains at large.

In the year 2021, there seems to be an increase in wanton attacks by bandits. The deployment of Special Tactical Command by the federal government has helped create a sense of security but the violence continues. The bandits usually attack remote and distant villages in states like Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger etc.


4. Death Of TB Joshua

This is one of the sad memories of the year 2021. The prominent religious cleric pastor TB Joshua reportedly died in his sleep. His unexpected demise has thrown his followers into mourning. Pastor TB Joshua was the leader of the Synagogue Church of All Nations. His religious works extended beyond the shores of Nigeria. He was buried in a spectacular manner in the presence of his wife, dignitaries and other church members.


5. ASUU Strike

The year 2021 has not ended without the usual strike by the academic staff union of universities. This has further crippled educational planning, academic calendars and ruined students expectations. The federal government and the academic body were at loggerheads for several months before an agreement was achieved.

Matriculation and graduation ceremonies have to be postponed due to the prolonged strike. This is after many months of school closure due to the outbreak of the dreaded Covid-19. This is another troubling memory of the year 2021 that every Nigerian student will relate to it.


6. Death Of Ex-Army Boss In A Plane Crash

The former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Attahiru died in a plane crash on his way to Kaduna State to attend the passing out parade of cadets at prestigious Nigeria's Defence Academy. His death has thrown the whole country into mourning. He died months after his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as the new army boss.

Prior to his death, the late Gen Attahiru has travelled across military formations in the country to ascertain the level of development and boost the morale of troops. He also visited the war front in the northeastern region where he addressed troops in Marte, Bama, and Konduga local government areas of Borno state.


7. Elaborate Wedding Ceremony Of Yusuf Buhari

The elaborate wedding ceremony of the president's son is one of the most spectacular events of the year 2021. It was an event that brought together powerful bigwigs from the political, business, religious and diplomatic sectors. Billionaires and powerful tycoons graced the occasion which took place in the modern city of Kano state.

Chieftains of the opposition parties were also spotted at the occasion. It is one of the happy moments that generated heated debate, especially across social media platforms. Yusuf Buhari is the only son of the president. It wasn't a surprise that his wedding was conducted in a spectacular atmosphere.


8. Rise Of Violent Agitations In The Southeast

In the year 2021, there seems to be a significant increase in violent agitations and wanton attacks by unknown gunmen in the southeastern part of the country. Security formations, correctional facilities and other government facilities were attacked and destroyed by unknown gunmen. Violent agitations have significantly affected the economic growth, stability and development of the southeast.

This prompted the federal government to proscribe the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and its subgroup Eastern Security Network (ESN). The federal ministry of justice also announced the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu but did not specify the circumstances that led to his arrest.

A special tactical command was deployed to the southeast to tackle the menace of unknown gunmen. Significant successes were recorded as notorious commanders of the proscribed organisation such as Onye Army, Dragon, and Ikonso were apprehended or neutralised by the security forces.

Source: https://www.operanewsapp.com/ng/en/share/detail?news_id=869037b41bbd5ccb27ac464672cc0b42&news_entry_id=s27b90dae211222en_ng&open_type=tanscoded&request_id=news_e013ab43-f142-4ddc-b4fb-8fae68464ce0&from=news

(Photo Credits: Presidency, Vanguard, Premium Times)

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