Russian Troops Retreat From Ukrainian Eastern Town Of Lyman

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October 1, 2022

Russia has withdrawn its troops from the strategic Ukrainian town of Lyman, in a move seen as a significant setback for its campaign in the east.

The retreat came amid fears thousands of soldiers would be encircled in the town, Russia’s defence ministry said.

Recapturing Lyman is of strategic significance for Ukraine.

The town had been used as a logistics hub by Russia, and could give Ukrainian troops access to more territory in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Video footage shared online showed Ukrainian soldiers waving their national flag on the outskirts of the town.

The battlefield setback prompted the Chechen leader and hardline Moscow ally, Ramzan Kadyrov, to comment that Russia should consider using low-yield nuclear weapons in the face of such defeats.

Lyman is in Donetsk – one of four partially-occupied Ukrainian regions which Russia declared it was annexing on Friday. Ukraine and its Western allies have dismissed the move as an illegal land-grab.

An adviser to Ukraine’s defence minister told the BBC that recent gains around Lyman – following days of intense fighting – represented a “considerable success”.

Russian fighters had been given the chance to surrender, Yurik Sak said, and would face better treatment as prisoners of war than from the Russian military leadership.

Shortly afterwards, the Kremlin said it was withdrawing its forces from the town, using its Soviet-era name of Krasnyi (Red) Lyman, acknowledging that the Ukrainians had “significant superiority in forces” in the area.

Military analysts say that Kyiv currently has momentum in the war, and it has vowed to forge ahead with a counter-offensive to reclaim all territory under occupation.

Beautiful Nigeria: Gidan Makama Museum, Kano

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 1, 2022

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Gidan Makama Museum Kano or Kano Museum is a museum in Kano, Nigeria. This building served as temporary palace of Kano before the current palace Gidan Rumfa was constructed in the 15th century.

The museum has a significant collections of arts, crafts and items of historic interest related to the Kano area.

Located in a 15th-century historical building, which is recognised as a National Monument by the Government of Nigeria.

The museum is divided into 11 galleries, each with their own centre of focus.

Galleries include the Zaure or the main entrance hall with displays of traditional materials, city walls and maps of Kano, the history of statehood, Kano in the 19th century, the Civil War, economy, industry and music.

An open space inside the museum acts as a performance stage for a Koroso dance and drama group.

History

The house was originally built in the 15th century for Muhammad Rumfa then the young grandchild of the monarch who had just been appointed Makama Kano, a traditional title.

Rumfa later became King and moved to a new palace but subsequent Makamas lived in the building.

After the British capture of Kano in 1903, the place briefly served as an office for the colonial officers in Kano.

The structure was later divided into three parts. One section became a museum ran by the Department of Antiquities, another became a primary school and a third maintained the original intention as a residential building.

Gidan Makama is now part of museums under management of the National Commission of Museums and Monuments and one of the old structures depicting traditional Hausa architecture.

The structure originally contained mud walls typical of the period but in later years some modern renovation work has taken place.

Museum

The museum is located on Emir Palace road and it is divided into 11 galleries with each containing some aspects of traditional Kanawa artifacts, pictures, musical instruments, handicraft and materials.

The galleries are the rooms and courtyards of the old Makamas and depicts the style of a traditional residence of a Kano aristocrat.

The entrance of the gates exhibited some historical pots believed to have been excavated at Kofar Kabuga, a gate within the Kano city wall and also two colonial cannons. The building hosts 11 galleries.

Once Upon A Time – October 1 – 1960 – Nigeria Gains Independence From Great Britain

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 1, 2022

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331 BC Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela

1688 Prince Willem III of Orange accepts invitation of take up the British crown

1814 Opening of the Congress of Vienna, redraws Europe’s political map after the defeat of Napoléon Bonaparte

1867 Karl Marx publishes “Das Kapital” in Berlin, a description of the capitalist system, its instability and tendency to self-destruction

1908 Henry Ford introduces the Model T car (costs $825)

1918 World War I: Combined Arab and British force under the Lawrence of Arabia, T. E. Lawrence captures Damascus from the Turks

1988 Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, effectively head of state of the Soviet Union

Exploring Garapan, Northern Mariana Islands

By

Angel Gimalo

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October 1, 2022

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Garapan is the most urban area, major tourist center and also the largest village located on the island of Saipan, which forms the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The history of the village begins from the Spanish colonial period when the Chamorro people were forcibly relocated from other islands, and then housed before their transfer to Guam.

The forced transfer of the Chamorros to Guam was completed by 1749 and Saipan was recorded as uninhabited.

The village name of Garapan derived from the Refaluwasch (Carolinian) name of Arabwal (Gharabwan), so named for the vine with heart-shaped leaves found along the beach there by a group from Satawal who arrived here to settle around the year 1815.

However, between 1865 and 1869, the Chamorros who were forcibly relocated, now started a settlement in the area of the village, but still apart from the Refaluwasch (Carolinian) community.

The village was selected by the Empire of Japan when Japan acquired the South Seas Mandate from the League of Nations in 1920 to be the capital of their holdings in the Mariana Islands.

Under the Nanyo Kohatsu Kabushiki Kaisha, the town rapidly developed, with a school, hospital, courthouse, bank, newspaper offices, cinema, and numerous public buildings constructed.

By the mid 1930s, Garapan had a population of approximately 14,000 people, mostly Japanese and ethnic Koreans, Taiwanese and Okinawans, and was nicknamed “Tokyo of the South Seas”.

However, this prosperity the people here faced, was up until 1944, when the World War II was in progress and also in the Battle of Saipan, Garapan was totally destroyed.

Those who survived the Battle, were forcibly repatriated to the Japanese home islands after the surrender of Japan and the ruins of Garapan remained un-populated until the late 1960s and 1970s, when the area was redeveloped into large resort hotels and condominiums for the tourist industry.

Some of the few remaining structures from the Japanese period, such as the Nan’yo-cho Saipan Hospital, are preserved on the National Register of Historic Places. Nowadays, the village as well as the Northern Mariana Islands are part of the overseas territories of the United States of America, which are making them really important in every sphere.

Photo Reel: Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Day Parade

By

Henry Williams

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October 1, 2022

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Nigeria-China Exchange Felicitations On National Day

By

Henry Williams

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October 1, 2022

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President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have exchanged pleasantries on the occasion of the two nations’ independence anniversary on October 1.

While Nigeria marks its 62nd anniversary, for China it’s the 73rd.

In his letter, congratulating the Chinese President on the anniversary, the Nigerian leader said relations between the two countries have achieved far-reaching and fruitful results on the basis of equity, mutual trust and mutual benefits, adding that Nigeria seeks to elevate the strategic partnership to a new level.

On his part, the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, said the Sino-Nigerian relations enjoy “sound momentum, with political mutual trust being enhanced, cooperation in various fields yielding fruitful results and coordination on international and regional affairs being closer.”

The full texts of the letters are as follows:

Xi Jinping

President of the People’s Republic of China

Your Excellency,

LETTER OF FELICITATIONS

I write on behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to extend warm greetings and felicitations to the Chinese Government and People on the occasion of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The bilateral ties between Nigeria and China have achieved far-reaching and fruitful results on the basis of equity, mutual trust and mutual benefits. We thank China for its support to us in various ways and ready to seek more collaborations with you, as well as to elevate the Strategic Partnership between our two countries to a new level.

I highly commend China’s accomplishments under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), to which President Xi Jinping doubles as General Secretary.

As the 20th National Congress of CPC will be held in October, I wish this historical Congress a great success, and also hope it will draw up blueprint for China’s future development.

While wishing you once again, happy celebrations, please accept Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem and regards.

Yours Sincerely

Muhammadu Buhari

H.E. Muhammadu Buhari

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Abuja

Your Excellency,

On the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the independence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I would like to, on behalf of the government and the people of China, and in my own name, extend to you and through you to the Nigerian government and people, the warmest congratulations and best wishes.

In recent years, the development of China-Nigeria relations enjoys sound momentum, with political mutual trust being enhanced, cooperation in various fields yielding fruitful results and coordination on international and regional affairs being closer. I highly value the development of China-Nigeria relations, and would like to join efforts with you to promote the Strategic Partnership between our two countries and the two peoples.

I wish the Federal Republic of Nigeria prosperity and its people happiness.

Xi Jinping

President of the People’s Republic of China.

Nigeria Celebrates 62nd Independence Anniversary

By

Henry Williams

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October 1, 2022

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Nigeria on Saturday celebrated her 62nd independence anniversary in a grand style at the popular Eagle Square, located within the three arms zone in the heart of the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Saturday’s event culminated a series of activities organised by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in commemoration of the country’s national day celebration.

President Muhammadu Buhari was the Special Guest of Honour and review officer for the parade that took place.

That was followed by the giving of three hearty cheers given to President Buhari by the military on parade and a rendition of the National Anthem signaled the end of the event.

The epoch making event officially started with the arrival of the number one citizen and chief celebrant at 09:00 GMT, who was ushered in by the back pipers and the presidential despatch riders, who made a spectacular display on motor bikes.

Soon after a rendition of the National Anthem, the President was invited by the parade commander, Lt. Col. Yusuf Hassan, inviting him to inspect the guards on parade.

This was then followed by a special display by men of the Nigerian Airforce, with airmen dropping right in the middle of the Eagle Square arena from a moving helicopter, alongside patrol dogs, depicting how they can rescue captives from danger.

As the occasion gradually came to an end, the ceremonial 21-gun salute, also known as the firing of artillery volleys followed suit, then came the signing of the anniversary register by the President, who presided over the event for the last time as his administration winds down towards May 2023.

Other dignitaries that graced the Independence Day anniversary were former Nigerian leader, Goodluck Jonathan, as well as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police among others.

Borno holds first Independence parade after 12 years

By

Henry Williams

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October 1, 2022

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Borno State government marked the 62nd Independence Anniversary of Nigeria on Saturday with a parade, the first in 12 years since the Boko Haram insurgency began.

Governor Babagana Zulum presided over the ceremony held at Ramat Square in Maiduguri.

He said the event was made possible by the return of relative peace in the state.

Zulum, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Usman Kadafur, lauded the military and other security agencies for the uncommon successes recorded in various operations against the insurgents.

The governor said that the successes in the terror campaign enabled the state government to close all displaced persons’ camps in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas.

ICAO, Qatar to partner Nigeria on aviation varsity

By

Henry Williams

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October 1, 2022

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The President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Council, Salvatore Siacchitano, has restated the commitment of the organisation to partner with Nigeria in the establishment, provision of funding and faculty of the African Aviation and Aerospace University in Abuja.

According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the Minister of Aviation, James Odaudu, the ICAO President gave the assurance when Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika led the country’s delegation to the 41st General Assembly of the organisation to his office at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

According to him, ICAO would always be part of every effort geared towards addressing the manpower needs of member nations in order to service and manage the ever-expanding Aviation industry, adding that Nigeria’s decision to establish the university was a welcome development.

He said the University would represent a new channel for the training of professional managers for the industry, especially within the African region, being the first of its kind in the continent.

He, therefore, promised to personally visit the site for the University during the forthcoming ICAO Air negotiation event being hosted by Nigeria in December, adding that the visit will give him a clearer picture of the immediate needs and the level of participation of the organisation.

Aisha Buhari seeks forgiveness from Nigerians over husband’s mismanagement of economy

By

Henry Williams

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October 1, 2022

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As the Muhammadu Buhari regime nears its end, Nigeria’s first lady, Aisha Buhari has sought the forgiveness of citizens over her husband’s failure in progressing the nation’s economy having spent almost eight years in office.

Mrs Buhari made the prayer of forgiveness at a special Juma’at service and public lecture to celebrate the nation’s 62nd independence anniversary, held at the National Mosque Conference Hall in Abuja on Friday. The event was themed: ‘Shura: The Islamic Foundation of True Democracy’.

“Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, as you may be aware that this government is making its exit and perhaps witnessing the last anniversary of the regime, I ask Nigerians to pray for a successful election and transition programme,” urged Mrs Buhari.

“The regime might not have been a perfect one, but I want to seize this opportunity to seek forgiveness from the Ulamas and Nigerians in general. We all need to work together to achieve a better Nigeria,” she added.

The first lady acknowledged that the naira’s helpless fall in her husband’s tenure had subjected many citizens to untold hardship. The policies of Godwin Emefiele appointed by Mr Buhari to man the nation’s apex bank, Central Bank of Nigeria, had yet to positively impact the economy.