Tuesday 20 October

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History

  1. Nigeria marks 66 years of independence on 1 October 2026; this opinion piece traces how its history still shapes the country.
  2. The writer argues that the 1914 amalgamation, the civil war, decades of military rule and oil dependence explain today's debates on identity, federalism and trust in government.
  3. The piece closes with lessons for future generations, from credible elections to economic diversification.
Gist Reel

History · 13 min read

Nigeria at 66: how our history shapes the country today

As Nigeria turns 66, an opinion piece on how colonial rule, the civil war, military rule and oil still shape national identity, politics and everyday attitudes, and what the past can teach the next generation.

Opinion | Nigeria at 66 Nigeria marks 66 years of independence today, 1 October 2026. From pre-colonial kingdoms to the Fourth Republic, the country's past still shapes how Nigerians see one another, how they vote and what they expect from government. Here is how, and what that history could teach the next generation. Historical Events That Shaped Nigeria Pre-Colonial Foundations…

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  1. Botswana marks 60 years of independence today, Wednesday 30 September 2026, with community-led celebrations across the country.
  2. At independence in 1966 it had just 12km of paved road and 22 university graduates, according to economists Acemoglu, Johnson and Robinson.
  3. Diamonds found at Orapa in 1967 powered decades of rapid growth, but a global slump shrank the economy in 2024 and 2025.
Gist Reel

History · 5 min read

Botswana at 60: how an exiled chief and a diamond find built a nation

As Botswana marks 60 years of independence today, here is how a protectorate once governed from South Africa became a diamond-powered democracy, and why economists compare it with Nigeria.

Updated 10:42 WAT, 30 Sep 2026: Botswana is marking its 60th Independence Day today. This story has been updated. Today, Wednesday 30 September 2026, marks 60 years of Botswana independence. The Diamond Jubilee is being celebrated across the country, from a crafts market and carnival in Gaborone's Main Mall to festivals in Maun, Kang and Tsabong, after Independence Eve celebrations…

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  1. Britain merged the northern and southern protectorates on 1 January 1914
  2. Independence came at midnight on 30 September 1960, at the Lagos Race Course
  3. Nigeria became a republic on 1 October 1963, with Nnamdi Azikiwe as president
Gist Reel

History · 2 min read

Nigeria at 66: how 1 October 1960 came about, and why it still matters

As the country marks a low-key 66th anniversary on Thursday, here is the road from amalgamation to independence and the republic that followed.

On Thursday, Nigeria turns 66. The Federal Government says this year’s celebration is low-key: prayers and a world press conference last week, then a public lecture on Wednesday and a nationwide broadcast by President Bola Tinubu on 1 October. Before the speeches begin, here is a quick refresher on how the day came to be. The road to 1960 Modern…

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