TODAY IN HISTORY

• Intl Mother Earth Day

• 2019 - Ukraine

A comedian, Volodymyr Zelensky emerged winner of Ukraine’s presidential poll. Zelensky, whose only previous political role was playing the president in a TV show, defeated incumbent Petro Poroshenko, scooping 73% of the vote.

• 2018 - Nigeria

Miracle emerged winner of Big Brother Naija TV show He went home with N45m star prize including N25m cash, SUV among others .

• 2016 - France

The Paris Agreement was signed, an agreement to help fight global warming.

• 2015 - Nigeria

Senate asked Federal Government to recall its ambassador to South Africa and report Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini, to International Criminal Court over xenophobic attacks. South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Louis- Mnguni was also summoned by foreign affairs ministry.

• 2014 - Brunei

Penalty for homosexuality was increased to death by stoning as part of new imposition of Islamic Shariah law, which also imposed death for rape, adultery and extramarital relations.

• 2013 - Nigeria

Nigerian Communications Commission started number exchange portability between the four main carriers allowing customers to keep their number and switch operators for free.

• 2012 - Holland

A prize- winning, super- energy- saving 10- watt LED bulb from Dutch electronics giant Philips, went on sale to coincide with Earth Day. The bulb, said to last over 20 years, won the US Department of Energy's "Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize" and was available from retailers for $ 50.

• 2010 - Nigeria

Ag Pres. Goodluck Jonathan approved a N4.6 trillion budget that hiked spending by 50%. He also signed a bill that gave preferential treatment to Nigerian firms in the oil sector

• 2000 - Rwanda

Paul Kagami became president and appealed for an end to ethnic strife.

• 1990 - Nigeria

Major Gideon Gwaza Orkar staged a violent coup against the government of General Ibrahim Babangida.

• 1970 - UN

The First Earth Day was celebrated with millions protesting pollution on Earth.

• 1945 - Germany

Adolf Hitler acknowledged that the war was lost in his underground bunker after learning that Soviet forces have taken Eberswalde without a fight, and stated suicide was his only recourse