Professor strips naked in class, the Ojukwu tribute, our very own Hauwa Gambo… See the Top 10 YNaija stories of 2012!

Folorunsho Alakija

by Isi Esene

We brought our readers a whole bunch of topical stories in 2012. That’s why it’s quite difficult choosing the our top stories for the year. We can assure you though, that this list represents the choice of many who have keenly followed “The Internet Newspaper for Young Nigerians!”

Late Emeka Ojukwu and wife, Bianca

1). Bianca Ojukwu’s touching tribute to her husband: Many believed the relationship between the Biafran warlord, Emeka Ojukwu and his widow, Bianca was superficial. Some even regarded her as a trophy wife, but the tribute penned by Bianca in memory of her late husband was overwhelming even to the hardest of hearts.

 

2). Levi Ajuonuma and the Dana Crash: Another top story on the site was the Dana air crash which killed 163 people on the outskirts of Lagos.

Among the dead was the group general manager of the public affairs division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Levi Ajuonuma. The effects of that unfortunate crash which happened in June is still fresh in our memories.

 

3). The story of 2012 can not be told without mentioning the Occupy Nigeria protests. The protests brought Nigerians from diverse background against the fuel price hike announced by the Goodluck Jonathan government early in the year.

Students, artistes, actors, activists and professionals of all hues and shades stormed the streets of major cities in the country to register their displeasure over the hike which they termed “insensitive”.

The Senate with the active support of the Nigeria Labour Congress waded into the matter, reached a compromise, and as they say – the rest is history.

Occupy Nigeria protest

4). The Mo’hits crew split was another news on YNaija which drew the interest of readers. Tension was high, sentiments went through the roof, and rumours were the order of the day.

The YNaija editorial crew, as it is wont to do, endeavoured to put the issue into perspective and keep its readers’ focus on the issue at hand.

On the opinion piece which gave reasons why Don Jazzy will ultimately lose in the split, well,the jury is still out.

Don Jazzy and D

 

5). Hauwa Gambo’s opinion piece on Japheth Omojuwa: Gambo is a writer who never shies away from expressing her opinion without minding who ox is gored (apologies to Baba Obasanjo), therefore her piece on activist, Japheth Omojuwa naturally garnered readers’ interest.

Gambo’s opinion pieces continue to seek ways to halt the bandwagon mentality which unfortunately pervades the Nigerian youth psyche. We hope to see more of her in the coming year.

6). Professor strips naked in class and screams, “There is no God!”: Among all the YNaija top stories, this is one of our clear favourites. Conjuring an image of a well read university professor stripping himself off his clothes before a bewildered class never fails to crack one up.

It is little wonder, therefore, that YNaija readers kept this story on the most read list for days. Nice one Prof.!

7). Ronald Poppo: The sheer absurdity of this flesh-eating story gave it guaranteed top place in the YNaija stories this year.

Poppo,65, was attacked by a naked 31-year-old, Rudy Eugene, who chewed off his face and had one of his eyes gouged out.

The what, who, and why elements of the story are stranger than fiction and our readers just couldn’t get enough of it.

Ronald Poppo

 

8). Lessons Boko Haram should learn from Osama Bin Laden: The mention of Osama bin Laden and Boko Haram in any headline will naturally generate interest.

According to the article,”There is a lesson for Boko Haram here, who have expanded their operations beyond their origin of Maiduguri. More and more civilians have died in their attacks, moving away from their stated purpose of fighting the government.”

This incisive analysis of the Boko Haram phenomenon and its carefully outlined shortcomings in clearly pursuing an objective against the federal government served as a magnet to our loyal readers.

 

9). Mofolorunsho Alakija: YNaija happened to be one of the first news medium in the country to publish the rise of Mrs. Alakija to the top of the black female rich list in the world.

The quietness with she displaced a personality like Oprah Winfrey from that position is nothing short of remarkable.

Alakija, who went from gracing Nigerian magazines event pages to the front pages of international magazines for this feat generated a considerable attention on the pages of YNaija.com

 

10).  The banker didn’t murder anyone: In August, a banker, Yinka Johnson was accused of driving against traffic along the Lekki-Ajah axis of Lagos and hit a LASTMA official, Hameed Balogun who tried to tried to apprehend her.

Unfortunately, the official died and the lady was arrested to be prosecuted for murder but eyewitnesses to the incident voiced out in her favour saying the LASTMA official died in circumstances which varied from that presented by the traffic management outfit.

The story generated a lot of interest and YNaija gave an exclusive report of the issues with updates to its teeming readers to keep them informed.

As it turned out, charges against the Johnson was reduced and justice was allowed to run its course.

One comment

  1. I really enjoyed your stokes, thank u till we meet next year GOODBYE 2012

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