Obafemi Awolowo Dies
On May 9, 1987, Obafemi Awolowo, a foremost Nigerian nationalist, lawyer, and politician died.
Obafemi Awolowo, GCFR, was a top nationalist who played a key role in the struggle for Nigeria's independence. He, alongside notable nationalists such as Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Herbert Macaulay, and others, led the movement that resulted in Nigeria's independence from Britain in 1960.
Pa Awo as Awolowo was fondly called died in his hometown of Ikenne in Ogun state at the age of 78 years old. Apart from being a nationalist, Awolowo was an opposition leader in the first post-independence Parliament. Due to his key roles in government and how he always represented the interests of the Yorubas, Awolowo was regarded as the leader of the Yoruba nation. Many Yorubas still pay respect to him till date and the Yoruba people usually make references to his exemplary leadership qualities.
126 Ghanaian Football Fans Die In Accra Stadium Disaster
On this day in 2001, Accra Stadium witnessed a tragic turn of events as 30,000 football fans gathered to witness a highly anticipated match between Ghana's renowned teams: Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko. With the game nearing its end and Kotoko trailing 2-1, their fans erupted in disappointment, hurling objects onto the pitch and dismantling stadium seats, launching them at rival supporters.
In response to the escalating chaos, the police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowd, and that triggered panic among them. As thousands attempted to flee, the situation worsened as some gates leading to the stands were locked, resulting in a painful stampede that lasted 30 minutes. The chaotic incident led to the death of 126 fans (some reports claimed it was 129 fans), while hundreds of others sustained injuries. The Accra Stadium stampede remains the deadliest stadium disaster in Africa.
5 other key events on this day
(1). The World Health Organization declared Liberia free of the Ebola virus - 2015.
(2). An investigation was launched by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gillani to determine how Osama bin Laden lived undetected in Abbottabad - 2011.
(3). US President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother's Day -1914.
(4). Australia opened its 1st parliament in Melbourne - 1901.
(5). House voted to initiate impeachment proceedings against US President, Richard Nixon - 1974.
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