TODAY IN HISTORY

• International Day for the Abolition of Slavery • 2018 - Nigeria

Dr. Frederick Fasehun, the founder of Oodua People’s Congress died aged 83 at the intensive care unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Ikeja. • President Muhammadu Buhari responded to claims that he was cloned and replaced by one Jibril from Sudan. While speaking to the Nigerian community in Poland, he said some people were hoping he would die during his ill health, but he is about to celebrate his 76th birthday

• 2013 - China

Zhang Yimou (62), one of China's top movie directors, admitted having three children with his current wife, according to a social media posting, apologising after months of speculation he broke the country's controversial family planning laws.

• 2010 - Russia

Russia won the bid to host the 2018 World Cup following a vote by FIFA'S executive committee members. Qatar was also selected as host of the 2022 World Cup, beating a bid by the United States to bring the games back to America for the first time since 1994.

• 2001 - Gabon

An outbreak of Ebola virus hit Gabon with the first death in Ekata, about five miles from the Congo border. Within weeks, 15 people died. The virus spread to Congo and movement in the area was restricted.

• 1998 - Nigeria

The military government of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar uncovered a $2 billion fraud by members of Sani Abacha’s family involving overpayment to Russia for a steel project.

• 1993 - Colombia

Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar was shot and killed in Medellín.

• 1988 - Pakistan

Benazir Bhutto was sworn in as Prime Minister of Pakistan, becoming the first woman to head the government of an Islamdominated state.

• 1982 - USA

At the University of Utah, Barney Clark became the first person to receive a permanent artificial heart.

• 1976 - Cuba

Fidel Castro became President, replacing Osvaldo Torrado. The MarxistLeninist promised to lead Cuba to communism.

• 1971 - UAE

Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, and Umm al-quwain formed the United Arab Emirates.

• 1908 - China

Puyi became Emperor of China at the age of two.