On June 28, 2007, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua made history by publicly disclosing his assets, becoming the first Nigerian President to do so.
Yar'Adua declared assets worth ₦856,452,892, including ₦19 million belonging to his wife, and liabilities amounting to ₦88,793,269.77. His action fulfilled a promise he made before his election and aimed to set a standard for other Nigerian politicians, promoting transparency and combating corruption.
Even before his presidential aspiration, Yar'Adua had established this practice in 1999 when he publicly declared his assets upon taking office as Governor of Katsina State. He continued this tradition when re-elected in 2003.
Although elected officials in Nigeria are expected to declare their assets upon assuming office, when re-elected, and after completing of their tenure, many politicians fail to comply or provide dishonest declarations. Yar'Adua's example was intended to encourage consistent transparency among public office holders.
Despite repeated demands from Nigerians for elected officials to do the needful, many past and current political office holders refused to declare their assets which is a deviation from the historic example set by Yar'Adua who died in 2010 while still in office. Even after his death, many Nigerians still cherish the legacies of Yar'Adua and his exemplary actions.
Other key events on this day
(1) Austria's Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated triggering World War 1 - 1914
(2) Boxer Mike Tyson bites off part of an opponent's ear - 1997
(3) Supreme Court (8-0) overturns draft evasion conviction of Muhammad Ali - 1971
(4) A SpaceX cargo rocket explodes shortly after launch - 2015
(5) Coronation of Queen Victoria aged 19 takes place at Westminster Abbey, London - 1838
(6) Treaty of Versailles, ending WWI and establishing the League of Nations, is signed in France - 1919
(7) Israel annexed East Jerusalem - 1967.
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