Today in Nigerian/African History: 30th June

nelson-mandela
On this day in 1992African National Congress (ANC) Presidential candidate Nelson Mandela met with the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali at Dakar.

The two leaders discussed the possible involvement of the international community in investigating violence in South Africa and, in particular, the convening of the Security Council on this issue. Pan African Congress (PAC) President Clarence Makwetu also met with the UN Secretary-General.

Also on this day in 2015; Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram Islamic sect, attacked some communities in Chibok and Biu local government areas of Borno State, killing no fewer than 51 people. Those killed were mostly Christian worshippers.

Five churches including Cocin, EYN and Deeper Life Bible Church in Kwada village, about 10 kilometres from Chibok were also burnt down when the gunmen laid ambush on them during church service.

Equally on this day in 1893;The Excelsior Diamond was discovered by a miner while loading a truck in congo. The diamond, which is described as being shaped like half a loaf and white in colour with a tint of blue was the biggest diamond ever found until 1905 when The Cullinan Diamond was discovered.

Unfortunately the diamond was cut into smaller pieces, which has been described as a colossal mistake on the part of the cutters. In its original form it had measured 970 carats. The eleven pieces it was cut into were made into jewellery.

Also on this day in 1936; Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia appeared before the League of Nations to appeal for help following Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia and his exile.
Likewise on this day in 1988; Zimbabwe foils a South African commando attempt to rescue five alleged South African agents awaiting trial for bomb attacks against the ANC in Zimbabwe.
And on this day in 1983; Colonel Muannar Kadhaffi (also Muamar Gaddafi), president of Libya, flew to Rabat for talks with King Hassan II of Morocco. His visit ended a fourteen year political rift between the two countries and leads to a period (1984–86) of strong political union between the two countries.