TODAY IN HISTORY

• International Students' Day

• 2021 - Nigeria

United States removed Nigeria from its list of countries that engaged in or tolerate ‘ systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. The US govt has now blacklisted Russia, China and eight other countries as religious freedom violators. This was made known by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

• 2019 - Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared David Lyon of All Progressives Congress, as winner of Bayelsa Governorship Election. Lyon was declared the winner by INEC Returning Officer and Vice- Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Faraday Orunmuwese.

• 2019 - China

The first known case of COVID- 19 was traced to a 55- year- old man who had visited a market in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

• 2016 - Nigeria

The presidency said former leaders, Goodluck Jonathan, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida and Shehu Shagari have not been paid their salaries and allowances for 10 months due to lack of funds.

• 2003 - USA

Arnold Schwarzenegger, who arrived in the United States 35 years ago as a bodybuilder, was sworn in as the 38th governor of California. He immediately rolled back the state's 300% increase in the vehicle license fee, which would have produced some $ 4 billion in annual revenue.

• 1999 - Pakistan

20 of the wealthiest and most powerful people were arrested for corruption. A law was drawn up at 2a. m. to give government the right to prosecute ex- official for suspected corruption back to 1985.

• 1993 - Nigeria

General Sani Abacha came to power after ousting the three- month- old Interim National Government of Chief Ernest Shonekan in a military coup.

• 1973 - USA

Watergate scandal: In Orlando, Florida, U. S. Pres. Richard Nixon told 400 Associated Press managing editors "I am not a crook."

• 1863 - Egypt

The Suez Canal was opened linking the Mediterranean and the Red seas. The 100 mile canal eliminated a 4000mile trip around Africa.