Chairman Mao Zedong met with the then Head of State of the Military Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, General Yakubu Gowon in Beijing (On September 10, 1974). Source: Chinese Embassy

World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, wearing the Nigerian brown and white striped Agbada, shouts to the crowd of youngsters who met him on his arrival in Lagos, Nigeria. (June 1, 1964). Source: Sacbee

I'm impressed ... Nice one Bro.

Margery Michelmore, the girl behind the post card incidence in Nigeria 1961.

During Peace Corps training at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, Michelmore wrote a postcard to a friend back home that noted the country’s “squalor and absolutely primitive living conditions.” Before the postcard was mailed it was found by a Nigerian student who, offended by its contents, proceeded to distribute copies of it all over campus. Crowds gathered; riots ensued. Peace Corps staff, fearing for Michelmore’s safety, whisked her out of the country. But the Associated Press had already picked up the story, and it became front-page news around the world. In twenty-first-century parlance, the postcard had gone viral.




Margery Michelmore's postcard in Nigeria, 1961. Source: LIFE Magazine, 1961

Dear Bobbo: Don’t be furious at getting a postcard. I promise a letter next time. I wanted you to see the incredible and fascinating city we were in. With all the training we had, we really were not prepared for the squalor and absolutely primitive living conditions rampant both in the city and in the bush. We had no idea what “underdeveloped” meant. It really is a revelation and after we got over the initial horrified shock, a very rewarding experience. Everyone except us lives in the streets, cooks in the streets, sells in the streets, and even goes to the bathroom in the streets. Please write. Marge. P.S. We are excessively cut off from the rest of the world.

Tunji Braithwaite and Fela Anikulapo Kuti 1977. Landmark case against Obasanjo's... military junta of the "unknown soldier" who stormed fela's home and burnt it down. Braithwaite and Fela teamed up to challenge the military regime, taking their case all the way to the Supreme Court. Despite the supreme court's failure to uphold the case against the junta, thereafter this case is credited for changing the laws in the Constitution concerning fundamental human rights.

Dame Flora Louisa Shaw, Lady Lugard, DBE (born 1852, Woolwich, England, UK – died 25 January 1929, Surrey, England, UK).

The daughter of an English father, Captain (later Major General) George Shaw and a French mother, Marie Desfontaines, was a British journalist and writer. She is also known for having coined the name "Nigeria" in the letter she wrote to Times of London in January 8th 1897.

Bonny Camp Victoria Island 13th of February 1976 Dimka Coup

Zik on a visit to the United States in the 60's

Big chairman Mao Zedong - Nigeria needs someone like you!!

Quaritch: Chairman Mao Zedong met with the then Head of State of the Military Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, General Yakubu Gowon in Beijing (On September 10, 1974). Source: Chinese Embassy

Ali bomaye!! Ali bomaye!! Ali bomaye!! Ali bomaye!!

The GOAT!!

Quaritch: World heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, wearing the Nigerian brown and white striped Agbada, shouts to the crowd of youngsters who met him on his arrival in Lagos, Nigeria. (June 1, 1964). Source: Sacbee

Big Malcolm X - my hero...

Quaritch: Malcom X in Ibadan 1964 - Source Unknown

Shagari and the Carters: After a welcoming ceremony on the White House lawn, President Shehu Shagari and President and Mrs Carter greet cheering crowds from the balcony. 1980

Source: Ebony magazine, December 1980

The then minister of labour Honourable chief Festus Okotie-Eboh and his wife make a grand entrance at a government reception (for Queen Elizabeth II). His outfit starting with the the feather tipped boater and ending in a 20-foot train that winds up around the neck of a small boy is a mixture of Nigerian modern and traditional.
1956

Source: Life Magazine archives

E. Latunde Odeku (1927-1974). Nigeria's first Neurosurgeon

Mrs. Flora Azikiwe and her husband Zik return to Lagos after an extensive tour of the country (1964)
Source: Ebony Archives

Fela 1978





Fela , severely beaten by soldiers ..1978

The potential was so great but the decline even more dramatic. Nigeria is a perfect example of how a promising country should not be run.

Quaritch: The then minister of labour Honourable chief Festus Okotie-Eboh and his wife make a grand entrance at a government reception (for Queen Elizabeth II). His outfit starting with the the feather tipped boater and ending in a 20-foot train that winds up around the neck of a small boy is a mixture of Nigerian modern and traditional.
1956

Source: Life Magazine archives

I really had a great laugh.

Gani Fawehinmi(1938- 2009) Lawyer, Author, Publisher, Philanthropist, Human rights activist & Social critic. Born in Ondo, Gani attended Ansar-ud-Deen Primary School Ondo and Victory College Ikare. He was an external Law student of the University of London. In 1965, he set up his own practice in Lagos and this soon grew into one of the largest Law firms in Nigeria. His Law library was reputed to hold over 300 000 volumes. He also set up Nigeria's first Law Publishing house. Gani was a champion of students, the poor, the oppressed, the persecuted and the ignored. He handled most of their cases free of charge. He was a vocal critic of successive governments. As a result of his activities he was arrested, detained and charged to court numerous times. His passport was seized on many occasions and his residence and Chambers were searched several times. He was beaten up time after time. At one time his Chambers was set ablaze. Gani pursued his ideals and beliefs with a passion. In 1993, he received the Bruno Kreisky Award for Human rights and in 1998, the International Bar Association awarded him the 'Bernard Simmons Award' in recognition of his Human-rights and pro-democracy work. Gani was well known for his philanthropy and his Scholarship schemes.

Late Flora Nwakuche (Flora Nwapa) as East Central State Commissioner for Lands. One of the first female Commissioners in Nigeria (appointed in 1970), her counterpart being Ms D.M.Miller (North Central State -now Kaduna State- Commissioner for Trade and Industries).
She also wrote many novels

List of people killed in the Aba Women's Riot in 1929.
Source: Susan Geiger et al., Women in African colonial histories

Name, sex, place/tribe of Origin, Place Killed.

Bobby Benson (1922-83)musician, comedian and entertainer. He was born Bernard Olabinjo Benson in Ikorodu, Lagos State. Benson had his elementary education in Lagos, attended Enitonia High School, Port Harcourt and later CM.S Grammar School, Lagos . After school, he had a stint as a tailor and boxer then later joined the Merchant Navy. He toured Europe as an entertainer with the Negro Ballet. On his return to Nigeria along with his British wife he set up the Bobby Benson and Cassandra Theatrical Group. He was regarded as the 'Father of Highlife music' in Nigeria. Many prominent musicians like Dr Victor Olaiya, Eddy Okonta, Roy Chicago, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Bayo Martins and Zeal Onyia at one time or another played in Bobby's band. His song "Taxi Driver" became a classic hit in West Africa, blending Caribbean and Jazz styles. It was covered by many great artistes including Stanley Turrentine.Other hits were "Gentleman Bobby" and "Iyawo se wo lose mi", "Mafe", "Nylon Dress" and "Niger Mambo". He remains the first Nigerian musician to ever own a Night Club (Caban Bamboo) as well as a hotel(Hotel Bobby).

1945 Ikenne, Ogun State-- As younger men and first cousins (both their mothers being sisters), seated left and right in the picture are Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Suleiman Olayiwola Sonubi, in the middle of both men is Mrs Hannah Idowu Awolowo.

Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe: Better known as K O or the Man of Timber and Calibre, the Agadagbachiriuzo of Arondizuogu, the Ononenyi of Orlu, the Maye of Lagos, the great eagle around whose name many legends are spun. [Source: Baileys African History Archive]

JAN 1959 – He challenged Zik and found Lots of Support for his campaign, but not enough. First launched his bombshell calling for the resignation of Zik at a meeting of the NCNC national executive. He once called Zik the tallest tree in Nigeria. He loved playing with words: reasoned ones, abuse. As long as they were words. He drew deep from his store of invective when he decided the tallest tree was getting a bit too big for its roots.

Mighty Joe at the execution stakes- 1973. Notorious political thug and armed robber Mighty Joe shortly before his execution in 1973. From Drum Magazine 1973 (copy borrowed from Obi Asika)



Condemned Armed Robber- Mighty Joe at prayer -1973. He converted to Islam after his conviction, in the hope that his life would be spared- it wasn't obviously.From Drum Magazine Interview 1973. Copy borrowed from Obi Asika.

Triple OG, Fela Kuti..

Time to roll up a fat zoobie and play some classic Fela Kuti after this Kendrick Lemar album...

Follow me home...

Quaritch: Fela 1978





Fela , severely beaten by soldiers ..1978

DAILY TIMES, SEPTEMBER 9, 1971
The death of "Dr." Ishola Oyenusi... — with ''the boy is good'' right?

I don't know who this man is - but he looks like a top don!!!

Majestic - queens got the money, dollar dollar bill, yo!!

Supreme team..

Quaritch: Bobby Benson (1922-83)musician, comedian and entertainer. He was born Bernard Olabinjo Benson in Ikorodu, Lagos State. Benson had his elementary education in Lagos, attended Enitonia High School, Port Harcourt and later CM.S Grammar School, Lagos . After school, he had a stint as a tailor and boxer then later joined the Merchant Navy. He toured Europe as an entertainer with the Negro Ballet. On his return to Nigeria along with his British wife he set up the Bobby Benson and Cassandra Theatrical Group. He was regarded as the 'Father of Highlife music' in Nigeria. Many prominent musicians like Dr Victor Olaiya, Eddy Okonta, Roy Chicago, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Bayo Martins and Zeal Onyia at one time or another played in Bobby's band. His song "Taxi Driver" became a classic hit in West Africa, blending Caribbean and Jazz styles. It was covered by many great artistes including Stanley Turrentine.Other hits were "Gentleman Bobby" and "Iyawo se wo lose mi", "Mafe", "Nylon Dress" and "Niger Mambo". He remains the first Nigerian musician to ever own a Night Club (Caban Bamboo) as well as a hotel(Hotel Bobby).

WOW. I'm filled

Olorogun Michael Ibru (1931- ) Businessman and founder of the Ibru Organisation in the '70's.
Ibru is from Agbarha-Otor, near Ughelli in Delta State. His mother was the daughter of the fabulously wealthy Chief Osadjere of Olomu. Ibru attended Igbobi College Yaba where he was Senior Prefect. He worked briefly with UAC before setting up a frozen fish business in 1956. Today, the Ibru Organisation is a family-run business that is now a multi-billion dollar conglomerate and one of the largest in West Africa. Its subsidiaries include:- Ibru Sea Foods Limited, Aden River Estate Limited, Aero Contractors Nigeria Limited, Ibache (Ibafon Chemicals) Limited, Ibafon Oil Limited, Ibron Nigeria Ltd; Ibru Merchandise 33 Limited, Ikeja Hotels Plc. (Lagos Sheraton and Federal Palace Hotels), Societe Benninoise De Produits De Mer (SOBEPROM), Zabadne and Company Limited, Osadjere Fishing Co. Limited, Marine Harvest Limited, Spibat Nig. Limited, Rutam Motors Limited, Nitrec Limited, Oceanic Bank Int’l. Plc, Aquamarine Finance and Securities Limited, Queens Petroleum Company of (Nig.) Limited, Guardian Newspaper Limited, Express Processing & Packaging Limited, Waskar Ltd., Mitchel Farms, Nigerian Hardwood Co. (Nig.) Limited, F. Steiner & Company Limited, Blue Water Marine, Delta Freeze Limited, Lillershall (Nig.) Ltd, Superbru Ltd, W.F. Clarke (Nig.) Limited, Boardroom Service Limited, Minet Nigeria Limited (insurance brokers), Atlantic Estates Limited, Societe Camerounaise De Product De Mer-SCPM Douala.

Mobolaji Ohofunso Johnson was born on 9 February 1936 in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] He was military Governor of Lagos State from May 1967 to July 1975 during the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon.
Mobolaji Johnson started his education at Reagean Memorial Baptist School, Yaba, Methodist School in 1941. He then attended Hussey College, Warri, 1954. And in 1959 Mobolaji attended the Officer Cadet Training School in Ghana. Mobolaji Johnson also attended the Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom, between 1960-1961.