News

Nigeria’s Military Historian Dies At 62

Published

5 years ago

April 19, 2021

Nigerian Tracker

Nowamagbe Austin Omoigui, a foremost Nigerian military historian, is dead,the Cable reports.

His family announced in a statement that Omoigui died on Sunday at the age of 62.

He was a cardiologist in Columbia, South Carolina, United States.

“On behalf of the Omoigui family, we are heartbroken to announce that our son, husband, father, uncle, brother, in-law, friend and muse to many, Dr. Nowamagbe Austin Omoigui, MD, FACC, pre-eminent interventional cardiologist in Columbia, South Carolina and foremost Nigerian civil-military and Benin historian, shed his earthly bonds and was called to the Lord on April 18, 2021,” the statement said.

“Preceded in passing by his beloved mother, Mrs. Grace Onaiwu Omoigui, Nowa is survived by his wife Mrs. Moira Omoigui, their children (Ikponmwosa Omoigui, Ighiwiyisi Omoigui, Iyegbekosa (Egbe) Omoigui & Izevbokun (Izzy) Omoigui, Iyare Omoigui and Iriagbonse Omoigui), his father, Surveyor Daniel Aiyanyo Omoigui and his four siblings (Dr. Sota Omoigui, Ifueko M Omoigui Okauru, Eghosa Omoigui and Nosa Omoigui).

“We are immensely grateful to God for the life he lived, the service he gave to family and country, and most importantly, his love, care for, and devotion to, his wife, children, family and friends.”

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Omoigui, a native of Edo state, gained insight into many key events associated with Nigeria’s military when he was posted for the one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with the Nigerian Army’s Brigade of Guards in 1983.

He bagged his bachelor’s degree in medicine from the University of Ibadan in 1981.

“My amateur interest in History, Political Science and Strategic studies dates back to the sixties. My father was a federal civil servant. As a three-year-old, I lived in the same neighborhood (MacDonald Avenue) as Chief Anthony Enahoro and the late Senator Dalton Asemota (my mother’s uncle) in Ikoyi, Lagos. Events relating to the Treasonable Felony Trial [of Obafemi Awolowo and Anthony Enahoro, among others], creation of the Midwest Region and the funeral of Senator Asemota were closely followed by my parents and many discussions were held in my presence, major elements of which, strangely, I still recall! As a seven year old, my family and I were awakened in the early hours of January 15, 1966, by our neighbor on Milverton Road (a British police officer) to tell us about the first coup. During the civil war I was the victim of a number of Biafran air-raids,” a statement from the Urhobo Historical Society for Omoigui said.

“I should add to this little summary of my background and interests that I am a member of the South Carolina Military History Club. I am also an amateur Gun and Military Aircraft recognition enthusiast. I happen to be a sharpshooter as well.”

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Also announcing his passing in a tweet, Eghosa Omoigui, his brother, described him as “the tip of our spear”.

His sister, Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, was a former chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), while Daniel Aiyanyo Omoigui, his father, was a former surveyor-general of the federation.

News

Ex-Minister Nwajiuba Declares Presidential Bid on ADC Platform

Published

6 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, has officially announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement released on Monday, January 19, Nwajiuba highlighted the pressing need for leadership capable of crafting sound policies, negotiating effectively, and engaging grassroots political structures across the country.

The former minister, who had also served as House of Representatives member for two consecutive times, had previously sought the presidency in 2023 on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform but did not advance through the party’s primaries.

Reflecting on his qualifications, Nwajiuba said, according to the statement, that “my experience across the legislature, the executive arm of government and key national institutions has equipped me with a deep understanding of governance, public finance and policy formulation.”

The statement outlined that Nwajiuba’s campaign will prioritise education reform, economic stabilisation, and the restoration of public trust in government institutions, describing these areas as critical to Nigeria’s development.

It added, “Experience, policy depth and institutional knowledge will form the central pillars of the leadership he intends to offer.”

“With his declaration, Nwajiuba joins a growing list of aspirants aiming to shape the national conversation ahead of the next general election, as debates around competence, experience and inclusive governance continue to gain momentum,” the statement noted.

The announcement positions Nwajiuba among a field of candidates seeking to present alternatives to the current administration, emphasising technical competence and practical governance experience as defining features of his 2027 bid.

News

CITAD Rallies Men as Allies Against Gender-Based Violence

Published

20 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Nigerian Tracker

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has urged men to actively join the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and support the promotion of gender equality across communities.

The appeal was made on Monday during a one-day training organised for Male Feminist Network (MFN) champions at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) headquarters in Kano.

The training, which attracted 70 participants, was organised for members of CAN, Kano State chapter. The programme was supported by the Ford Foundation through the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development.

Speaking at the event, MFN Project Officer, Mr Sani Sa’idu, said the initiative was aimed at equipping men with the knowledge and skills to challenge gender-based violence and promote inclusive and respectful communities.

Sa’idu, who spoke on the topic “Gender, Feminism, Masculinities and GBV Awareness”, said the training was designed to build a movement of men committed to equality and the elimination of GBV.

“The aim of this training is to build a movement of men who are committed to equality, challenging harmful stereotypes and ending gender-based violence,” he said.

He added that the programme sought to empower men to become allies in the struggle for women’s rights and to advocate for inclusive and safe communities.

Also speaking, Apostle Samaila Joshua Asake, PhD, Chairman of the Youth Wing of CAN in Kano State, commended CITAD for taking the initiative to faith-based organisations.

Asake said engaging men, especially within religious institutions, was critical to addressing gender-based violence and fostering positive masculinity.

Similarly, the Secretary of CAN in Kano State, Rev. Ayuba Apollos Sabo, praised CITAD for organising the training and called for sustained collaboration to address social challenges.

“The church has a key role to play in promoting values of respect, justice and protection of the rights of women and girls,” Sabo said.

CITAD also used the occasion to call on men across communities to actively join efforts aimed at ending gender-based violence and promoting gender equality.