TODAY IN HISTORY

• 2019 - Nigeria

American news agency, Bloomberg, criticized Pres. Muhammadu Buhari’s record as Nigeria’s leader over the last four years. In the assessment of the New York- based international news agency, it described the president’s achievement since been elected into office as discouraging and expressed pessimism about his ability to perform well in his second term.

• 2014 - W/ Africa

World Health Organisation officials said over 100 people have died from Ebola outbreak in West Africa, with as many as 175 people infected. This included 151 suspected and confirmed cases of the disease in Guinea, where 98 people have died, and 10 deaths recorded in Liberia

• 2013 - UK

Margaret Thatcher, the ‘ Iron Lady’ who transformed Britain and inspired conservatives around the world died following a stroke. The former prime minister ( 1979- 1990) had radically rolled back the state during her 11 years in power.

• 2008 - Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed graft charges against the Iyabo, daughter of expres. Olusegun Obasanjo and two ministers sacked last month by Pres. Yar’adua

• 2005 - Italy

World leaders joined pilgrims and prelates in St. Peter's Square for the funeral of Pope John Paul II.

• 1994 - Rwanda

In Rwanda, Jean Kambanda was appointed prime minister of the interim government. He went on radio and urged fellow Hutus to abuse, hurt and kill Tutsis and Hutu moderates. He pleaded guilty in 1998 to charges that he incited the slaughter of over 800,000 Rwandans. Over 1,400 Tutsis were massacred by Hutu militia at a church atop a hill in Kesho. About this time the commander of UN forces in Rwanda warned Kofi Annan head of the UN Peacekeeping operations, that Kigali government was planning to slaughter Tutsis. Annan’s office ordered Gen’l. Romeo Dallaire of Canada not to protect the informant or to confiscate arms stockpiles. Annan later claimed that he lacked the military might and political backing to stop the slaughter of more than 500,000 people.

• 1992 - USA

Tennis great Arthur Ashe announced at a New York news conference that he had AIDS, saying he was forced to go public because a newspaper had inquired about his health. He died Feb 1993, of AIDS- related pneumonia at age 49.