writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA 
Still reeling under the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, which changed the way of humanity forever, 2021 writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA came with its own challenges and lessons, exposing human frailties, as he highlights some of the major happenings of the out-gone year
January
Joe Biden assumes office as president of US
On January 20 Joe Biden of the Democratic Party was sworn into office as the 46th President of the United States of America alongside Vice President Senator Kamala Harris, who made history as the first woman to assume the position in the history of America, bringing to an end the four-year reign of President Donald Trump of the Republican Party.
Buhari appoints new service chiefs
President Muhammadu Buhari in a bid to give new lease of life to tackling the security challenge of the country on January 26 announced the change of service chiefs after many months of agitations from the Nigerian public.
The new service chiefs were: Lt. General Leo Irabor – Chief of Defence Staff from Delta State; Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru – Chief of Army Staff from Kaduna State, who later died in a military plane crash and was replaced by Lt. General Faruk Yahaya from Sokoto State; Real Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo – Chief of Naval Staff from Kano and Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao – Chief of Air Staff from Osun State
February
Nigeria Air Force plane crashes in Abuja
What could be said to be the first major disaster of the year hit the nation on February 21 with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Beech craft KingAir B350 aircraft crash while returning to the Abuja Airport after reporting engine failure en route Minna, killing all seven personnel onboard including two crew members.
March
Gunmen attacked Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Afaka
On March 12 unknown gunmen attacked the Federal College of Forestry
Mechanisation, Afaka, in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, kidnapping about 30 students, males and females
Ap ril
Bandits attacked Greenfield University in Kaduna
On April 20 bandits attacked Greenfield University in Chikun council area of Kaduna State, abducting 20 students and two staff. However, one of the students was later released while five of them were killed with a threat to kill the others if ransom was not paid. May
Gov Ben Ayade defects to APC
Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, on Thursday May 20 dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Making him the second serving governor under PDP to defect to APC within six months as Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi had in November December 2020 defected.
27 Afaka students regain freedom
Twenty-seven students of the 30 abducted students from Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Afaka were released on May 5 after spending about two months in their kidnappers’ stronghold. Three of the 30 initially abducted students had earlier been released. The kidnappers demanded N500 million for their release but it is not clear how much was paid for their eventual release
Military plane crashes, kills Chief of Army Staff, 10 others
On May 21 Nigeria Air Force plane, with registration Number 5N – R203, conveying 11 passengers, military personnel and crew members including the Army Chief of Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, crashed near Kaduna International Airport, killing all passengers onboard.
The officers were on their way to Zaria to attend the passing out parade of soldiers from Nigeria Army Depot. Other officers who died in the crash include: Brig. Gen. M.I. Abdulkadir; Brig. Gen. Olayinka; Brig. Gen. Kuliya; Maj. L.A. Hayat; Maj. Hamza; Sgt. Umar; Flt. Lt. T.O. Asani; Flt. Lt. A.A. Olufade; Sgt. Adesina; and ACM Oyedepo. They were all buried on May 26 with full military honour at the National Military Cemetery Abuja.
COVID – 19 Delta variant discovered
The challenges posed by COVID-19 assumed a new dimension when the announcement of the discovery of the Delta variant by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on May 31, with South Africa being the first country to have the index case. It spread rapidly to over 179 countries by June.
Over 130 Islamiyyah students abducted in Niger State
Abduction by bandits continued unabated in the country particularly in Niger State that has witnessed a series of abductions with the kidnap of 130 students of Islamiyyah of Salihu Tanko Islamic School Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of the state on May 30. June
Prophet TB Joshua of Synagogue dies at 57
The death of the Founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet TB Joshua, was announced on June 6. He died at age 57, few days to his 58th birthday on June 12. He was reported to have died shortly after conducting church service in the evening at his Egbe, Lagos home. He was born on June 12, 1963, in Arigidi, Akoko, Ondo State.
The late cleric and renowned televangelist was buried on July 9 on the Synagogue church premises in the Ikotun area of Lagos State.
Gov Matawalle dumps PDP for APC
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State on June 29 formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) while the Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Aliyu, who is a son of a former Minister of Defence, Ali Gusau, remained in PDP.
July
Bandits kidnap 140 students of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna
Bandits on July 5 invaded Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna, kidnapping over 140 students from the school’s hostel. The bandits were said to have breached the walls of the school located on the outskirts Kaduna, about 2am, shooting sporadically before taking away the students.
CBN stops sale of forex to BDC
In a move to stem the fall of the naira, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, on July 27 announced the ban of the sale of foreign currencies to Bureau de Change (BDC) as part of the fallout from the Monetary Policy Meeting (MPC) for the third quarter of the year. Emefiele said the ban was necessary because the parallel market has become a conduit pipe for illicit forex flows and graft.
He further stated that CBN would no longer process applications for BDC licences in the country. He then disclosed that the weekly sale of foreign exchange by the CBN would henceforth go directly to commercial banks.
August
Taliban takes over Afghanistan after 20 years of war
It was victory for the Taliban fighters who on August 15 swept into power in Afghanistan after 20 years war.
They overran Kabul without a fight as the country’s President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on his own volition. They have since established their brand of Islamic rule while battling to stablise the ship, with difficulties as the new government formed by them under the leadership of Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who is the third Supreme Commander of the Taliban, is yet to enjoy legitimacy and support across the world. Buhari signs PIB into law History was made on August 16 when President Muhammadu Buhari signed the much awaited Petroleum Industry Bill into law.
The signing of the bill into law by Buhari followed the passage of the bill by both the Senate and the House of Representatives earlier in July 2021. Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA) is expected to transform the oil and gas sector and open it for investment and full participation of Nigerians as well as the unbundling of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which has since started.
Abducted pupils of Niger Islamiyyah school released
After spending 88 days in the den of their captors, the remaining over 70 students of the over 130 pupils and teachers of Salihu Tanko Islamiyah School, Tegina, Niger State were released by their kidnappers on August 26.
Their captors had demanded ransom of N200m but reduced it to N80m while the parents were able to raise about N20m.
Bandits invade Nigerian Defence Academy, kill two, abduct 1
Suspected bandits on August 24 invaded the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Afaka, Kaduna, killing two officers and abducting another senior officer. Aside from the officers killed and kidnapped, some others sustained gunshot injuries.
America withdraws from Afghanistan
American on August 30 finally withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, putting an end to 20 years of occupation of the country.
The withdrawal authorised by President Joe Biden was part of the Doha Agreement, with Donald Trump administration agreeing to an initial reduction of US forces from 13,000 to 8,600 troops by July 2020, followed by a complete withdrawal by May 1, 2021.
September
Military takes over power in Guinea
On September 5 President Alpha Condé of Guinea was overthrown as he was captured by the country’s armed forces in a coup d’état after gunfire in the capital, Conakry. Special Forces commander, Mamady Doumbouya, put him under house arrest alongside other government officials.
INEC introduces use of BVAS in Isoko by-election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the first time introduced the use of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) in the conduct of Isoko South constituency by-election held on September 11 in Delta State. The BVAS device which was highly acclaimed was used for accreditation and authentication of voters, with both their finger prints and photographs captured to ensure validity of votes cast.
Telecommunications services suspended in Zamfara, Kastina, Sokoto, Kaduna states Government on September 23 announced the suspension of telecommunications services in Zamfara State as part of measures to fight banditry and kidnapping in some parts of the state while in Katsina State some parts of the state were also affected. Sokoto State also followed suit. Kaduna State government on September 29, also suspended telecommunications services in a bid to fight the increasing attacks across the state by bandits and kidnappers.
October
Police invade Justice Odili’s residence
The private residence of the second most senior judicial officer in Nigeria, Justice Mary Peter-Odili, on 9, Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja, was unlawfully invaded by some unknown security agents on October 29. An Abuja Magistrates’ Court was said to have issued a search warrant used by the invaders.
The Federal Government throughnthe office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the country, Abubakar Malami, was fingered for the action, which he denied as well as the security agents, which said they knew nothing about the invasion.
Arrests were later made of the suspected invaders and they were paraded before the public and charged to court.
No vember
21-storey building in Ikoyi collapses
The month of November started on the first day with the news of the collapse of 21-storey building on Gerald Road, Ikoyi, which claimed over 42 lives, including that of the owner of the building, Femi Osibona, of Fourscore Heights Limited, with 15 survivors.
Professor Soludo wins Anambra governorship election
Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, was on November 10 declared the winner of the Anambra governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Returning Officer of the Anambra Governorship Election, Prof Florence Obi, declared him winner having satisfied all the constitutional requirements and garnering the highest votes of 112,229 to defeat the other contestants: Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 53,807 votes; Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress, who got 43,285 votes and Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressive Party, who polled 21,261 votes.
The election was held on September 6 but was declared inconclusive as election could not hold in Ihiala Local Government Council due to logistics and other issues but was later conducted on September 9.
Ex – South Africa President, Frederik Willem de Klerk, dies at age 85
The death of the former South African President, Frederik Willem de Klerk, aged 85, was announced on November 11 by his foundation. He was said to have died peacefully at his home in Fresnaye following his struggle against mesothelioma cancer.
He would be remembered for ending apartheid regime in the country, as he was the one that freed late President Nelson Mandela from prison and conducted the election that brought him into power as the first ever Black president of the rainbow nation on May 10, 1994.
The former president was said to have left a final apology in a video message released after his death, for the pain he inflicted on nonwhite ethnic groups during the apartheid era.
COVID- 19 Omicron variant discovered
Global health situation received a shock again when on November 24 a new variant of COVID-19 named Omiron was announced with the first appearance again in South Africa.
Unlike the Delta variant, this new strain spread geometrically across the globe causing panic and the pressing of the alarm button by many countries, leading to imposition of travel bans and restrictions again by countries.
Dowen College student,
Sylvester Oromoni, dies Dowen College Lekki junior secondary school student, Sylvester Oromoni, aged 12, died on November 30 under controversial circumstance, resulting in public outrage. He was reported by his parents to have died from injuries he sustained from the beating he received from five senior students of the school suspected to be cult members.
But that claim was disputed by the school authorities, which stated that he died from injuries he sustained while playing football. Following this development, the Lagos State government ordered the closure of the school while his death was being investigated by the Nigeria Police.
Autopsy has been conducted on his body and his remains released to the family for burial while five of the students that were named by him as responsible for his death were charged to court by the police for conspiracy and homicide. They were granted bail by the magistrate court.
December
Angela Merkel bows out as German Chancellor after 16 years
On December 7 Angela Merkel, aged 67, stepped down as Germany’s Chancellor after 16 years in office as the first female to occupy the exalted position.
She is credited to have led her country to years of influence and prosperity, with strong fist on Europe politics. She was first elected into the office on November 22,
2005 and has since then won re-election until she indicated interest to step during this year’s election and now succeeded by Olaf Scholz as the new Chancellor. Merkel, a former scientist, who grew up in Communist East Germany, bowed out about a week short of the record for longevity held by her onetime mentor, former Chancellor Helmut Kohl, who reunited Germany during his 1982-1998 tenure.
MTN, Mafab win Nigeria’s 5G licences
Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC) on December 12 awarded MTN Nigeria and Mafab Communications the slots for the 5G spectrum during an auction conducted by it in Abuja. Three qualified bidders for the 3.5 GHz spectrum, namely: MTN Nigeria, Mafab Communications Ltd, and Airtel Networks Ltd, participated in the software-based simulated auction exercise. MTN and Mafab Communications won the bid.
Archbishop Tutu dies at age
90 Boxing Day December 26, the world woke to the news of the death of South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at 90 years.
He was world icon of the struggle for human rights and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1984 for his activism against the brutal racist oppression of apartheid. He is survived by his wife, Nomalizo Leah, his son, Trevor Tamsanqa, and two daughters, Thandeka, Nontombi and Mpho.
