Memories of 1999: Nigeria in Retrospect

The Frills and Thrills

By Joe Etokudor

The horizon on Nigeria’s land scape looked very grim towards the end of 1988. Despite moves towards transiting to democratic government, a general unease pervaded the entire nation.

      January 1999 was agog with elections. In the first few weeks of the year, elections into the State Houses of Assembly and Gubernatorial Offices kicked off with weirds merging as governors and legislators elect. The then military administrator of Edo State, Commander Anthony Onyearugbulem dragged royalty in the mud when he single –handedly suspended the Benin monarch, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpokpolo Eradiauwa from membership of the States Security Council and as chairman of the Edo State council  of Traditional Rulers. It was rumoured that the naval officer was cursed by the monarchy for his effrontery. But if the spell did not work against Onyearugbulem, it must have been transcended by remote control to Nigerian troops in war-torn Sierra Leone. Where the hapless member of ECOMOG peace keeping campaign were dispatched to the great beyond in their hundreds by the rebels on a weekly basis. Nigeria reportedly lost no power than 700 soldiers in that short period.

      The print media had its share of the upheavals too. As Alex Ibru Chairman of Guardian press limited and publisher of the “flagship the Guardian newspapers cleared the desk at the flagship with a bid to enhance control of editorial reins by the younger generation.

Labour movement experienced a long awaited revival after years of redundancy and clamour for democracy with the election of fire brand comrade activist, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole as president of the Nigeria Loabour congress (NLC).

            Given the specter of deaths, violence and blood–curdling episodes that attended the year. It would be tempting to conclude that it was steeped in poignant tales of woe if anything the ceaseless carnage in the restive Niger Delta region and other ethnic uprising that dangerously threatened the peaceful co-existence of the country are stratling pointers of the disquieting times that characterized the year.

Much as these pathetic events left a bitter taste in the mouth at is however cheering that it was not tragic tales through and through. Besides political developments, positive events of great national and international significance occurred to paint this country in bright light.

One of such event took place on the soccer pitch. for three consecutive weeks (3-24April) Nigeria played host to teams from 23 countries throughout the globe in the 10^th edition of the FIFA world  youth soccer championship aptly tagged” Nigeria 99’ for Nigeria it was a dream come true. An earlier attempt at hosting the championship in 1995 hit a brick wall as the hosting right was withdraw at the last minute ostensibly for public health reasons.

Gains of the global soccer fiesta are invaluable the much –hyped event helped in no small measure to breath a new lease of life into the country’s socio-economics infrastructure. At the eight FIFA designated centres” Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, Bauchi, Calabar and Kaduna, facilities were upgraded to ensure a successful hosting of the championship. Roads were rehabilitated and illegal structures demolished to beautiful these cities.” Nigeria 99” also provided a veritable platform to show case the country’s rich and vast tourism potentials.

Talking of tourism, the month of June recorded a major mile stone in the country’s fledging tourism industry. The agelong clamour for a separate ministry for tourism was actualized as the federal Government announced the creation of ministry of culture and tourism.

The development which was widely lauded by practitioners was seen as the springboard that is would when in a new lease of life to the flagging industry. Until the creation tourism was under the ministry of commerce.

Similarity following the agitation for the establishment of private universities the Federal Government gave the official nod for the eventual take off of three private universities namely. Babcock university jlishan Remo, Ogun state, Madonna university Okija,  Ontisha, Anambra state and  sgbenedion University Okada, Edo State Herritage University Kaduna was given provisional approval. The lucky foray is empowered to award degrees statutorily recognized by the federal Government.

            Another giant stride towards improving the educational system in the country came with the introduction of the universal Basic Education (UBE) Scheme in September. When operational the scheme would ensure the free and compulsory education of every Nigerian child from primary to junior secondary school levels. As part of efforts to give the scheme which replaced the universal primary Education (UPE) system a broader focus UBE. According to the federal government would devote as much attention to producing trained and qualified teachers as to provision of enough schools to accommodate children eligible for enrolment.

The fruits of democracy equally imparted positively on the country’s socio-economic climate this was demonstrated in the inflow of foreign investment that was injected into the Nigeria economy. Shortly after the country’s return to civil rule a global industrial giant, Guinness world wide pledged an investment of N 2.7 billion into the country. Another Brewery Giant Heineken announced its supports for the investment of over N12million in Nigeria Breweries PLC. The renewed interest in the economy was no less demonstrated in the 19^th Lagos international Jrade fair where foreign countries up from 10 registered their business presence.

At sacristy in South Africa, NIGERIA STOOD TALL IN THE HALF OF FAME. FEMI Anikulapo Kuti’s tracks Bang Bang, Bang received internationally recognition at the Korea All –African music Awards held in September.

The media was not left out in the events of the year it was a year that witnessed the emergence of Declan Okpaleke of the Guardian newspaper as the winner of the CNN Africa Journalist of the year award. Following they change of guard from military to civil rive the media eroded relative freedom that had eluded it over the years.

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