President Yar'Adua Diagnosed with Heart Problem
On November 26, 2009, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was diagnosed with a heart problem known as acute pericarditis. It is an inflammatory condition of the sac surrounding the heart. This diagnosis heightened concerns about his long-standing health challenges, which included a chronic kidney condition.
Presidential Spokesman, Olusegun Adeniyi said the President felt pains after performing Friday prayers the previous week. According to him, after the President returned from the Abuja Central Mosque on November 20 where he performed Muslim prayer, Yar'Adua complained of a left-sided severe chest pain. Yar'Adua's health later deteriorated and resulted in his long absence from office.
Ikemba Odumegu Ojukwu Dies
Also, on this day in 2011, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, widely regarded as the leader of the Biafran secessionist movement during Nigeria's civil war (1967-1970), died in the United Kingdom after a protracted illness.
A former military officer, Ojukwu declared the Republic of Biafra and fought to establish independence for the Eastern Region amid ethnic tensions and political instability. After the war, he lived in exile for years before returning to Nigeria in 1982, where he became an elder statesman and influential political figure.
He formed the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, which has continued to rule his home state, Anambra till date even after his demise. Ojukwu's death marked the end of an era for many who revered him as a symbol of resilience and Igbo struggle against marginalisation.
Other key events on this day
1. Mumbai terrorist attacks killed over 195 people over four days - 2008
2. Singapore's PM, Lee Kuan Yew resigned - 1990
3. Archaeologists entered tomb of King Tut after 3,000 years- 1922
4. Alice in Wonderland" manuscript sent as a Christmas present - 1864
5. Concorde airline retired from service after 27 years - 2003
6. Casablanca, the classic movie that won Oscars award, premiered - 1942
7. Brink's May Gold Heist: The £26 million robbery took place in a Brink Mat warehouse at Heathrow Airport in London - 1983.
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