Connect with us

METRO

Flashback on History: How Parcel Bomb Killed Dele Giwa, ‘The Flaming Journalist Who Gave Tyrants Nightmares’

Published

on

By

Dele Giwa
Yesterday, Thursday 19th October, marks the 31st remembrance anniversary of Sumonu Oladele ‘Baines’ Giwa (16 March 1947 – 19 October 1986); a legendary Nigerian journalist, died after he was killed through a parcel bomb.
In a 2016 article, Bayo Oluwasanmi described Dele Giwa as “a flaming journalist with a fiery message of rebuke” who had a “knack for packaging stories that injected sleeplessness and nightmares in the tyrants of his days…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>> READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

On Thursday, October 19, 2017, it became 31 years since Giwa, pioneer editor-in-chief of Newswatch, was assassinated.
Giwa was reportedly killed after he received a parcel bomb which detonated at his residence, then located at No. 25  Talabi street, Ikeja, Lagos state.
The journalist who died at 39 was known for exposing corrupt and illegal dealings of the government and this earned him recognition.
The assassination occurred two days after he had been questioned by officials of the State Security Service (SSS).
The Newswatch editor had just written an article on second-tier foreign exchange market (SFEM), a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy introduced at the time.
Under the SFEM policy, the determination of the naira exchange rate and allocation of foreign exchange were based on market forces.
In the piece, Giwa said if SFEM failed, the people would stone “their leaders in the streets”.
Ajibola Kunle Togun, the then deputy director of the SSS, later met with Giwa and said he did not find anything offensive in the story.
But in a different turn of events, Ray Ekpu, a colleague of Giwa, said Togun accused the journalist of planning to publish the “other side” of the story on the circumstances that led to the removal of Ebitu Ukiwe as chief of staff to Ibrahim Babangida, former military head of state.
Giwa was also accused of plotting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other groups to carry out a “socialist revolution”.
Around the same time, Giwa was quizzed by Halilu Akilu of the directorate of military intelligence (DMI) over an allegation that he had been heard speaking to some people about arms importation.
He appeared at the SSS headquarters on the matter on October 16, 1986 — two days to his assassination.
On October 18, Akilu called Giwa’s home and asked his wife Funmi for directions as he wanted to stop by on his way to Kano.
On the day of the assassination, the DMI official reportedly told Giwa over the telephone that the matter had been resolved after the journalist inquired about his frequent calls.
Not long after the call, a package was delivered to Giwa which severely wounded him. He was with Kayode Soyinka, London bureau chief of Newswatch, who narrowly escaped the blast after he excused himself to visit the restroom.
Giwa was taken to the hospital but later died from the wounds he sustained from the blast. He would have been 70 this year.
Although, Mohammed Buba Marwa, a former military governor of Lagos state, has been accused of being the courier of the bomb, no one has been convicted for Giwa’s murder.
Meanwhile on June 8, 2009, Professor Taiyemiwo Ogunade gave a bombshell interview in which he made startling revelations about those who killed Dele Giwa in 1986.
While speaking with SaharaReporters, he spoke specifically about the role of former military administrator of Lagos State Buba Marwa in the assassination of the journalist.
Dr. Ogunade disclosed that soldiers loyal to the slain General Mamman Vatsa identified Marwa as the person who delivered the parcel bomb that killed Giwa, the Newswatch magazine founder.
He said the revelation came from a confidential discussion he had with one of the military boys who came to the City University of New York (CUNY) to press the college to train Nigerian military officials in “Peace and Conflict Resolution”. He said that Vatsa gave a four-hour long testimony to the military tribunal that tried and later sentenced him to death for a phantom coup plot against former military dictator, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida.
Here are the excerpts;
 
Do you know who delivered the bomb that killed Dele Giwa?
I believe that Buba Marwa did it. Some Mamman Vatsa boys told the full story in New York during a visit to my college to lobby our college to accept to train Nigerian military officers. Ambassador Olusola was on that entourage. [My informant] told me Dele Giwa was killed because he was in possession of a tape containing Vatsa’s testimony before the military tribunal. For four hours, Vatsa requested to tell the full story about how the Babangida regime was operating and his knowledge of the workings of IBB’s mind. He pointed out that after Halilu Akilu and Col. A.K Togun of the military intelligence prepared the parcel it was handed over to Buba Marwa to deliver to Dele Giwa. Marwa is a well–known “IBB boy”. But I was the one who gave Dele Giwa the tape.
 
How did you get the tape?
Vatsa had a copy made by his friends in the tribunal and smuggled out to me and I “loaned” it to Dele Giwa who got on the case immediately. I still don’t know how Dele Giwa found out that I had the tape till this day.
 
Do you still have a copy?
Yes, but you know I left Nigeria hurriedly after the death of Dele Giwa. I left [the tape] with my aged mother, who did not know the value then. I won’t say more, let the military release that tape to the Nigerian public.
 
Did Dele Giwa return the tape to you?
Yes, he returned it after 24 hours. Don’t forget that I loaned it to him; I think he went and played it to Babangida’s people and they eliminated him after they heard the tape.

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

METRO

Black Waitress Serves Clint Eastwood, Then He Gives Her A Note. Reading It, She Bursts Into Tears! –

Published

on

By

 

When Clint Eastwood sat in her section, she had no idea her world was about to turn upside down.

Mia adjusted her apron, glancing at the clock above the diner’s counter. It was nearing 7 p.m., the time when the dinner rush usually tapered off, leaving a slower pace to wind down her shift. For most, the little diner tucked off the highway was just a pit stop—a place to grab a meal before continuing their journey. For Mia, it was her lifeline. At 28, she balanced long hours here with raising her six-year-old son, Jordan. Each tip and every paycheck went toward keeping their modest apartment and paying for Jordan’s growing list of school supplies. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

She moved gracefully from table to table, her warm smile a shield against the exhaustion clawing at her. The regulars knew her story, or parts of it. A few would slip an extra dollar or two when they could, but Mia never asked for sympathy. She had learned early on that the world wasn’t fair, and her only choice was to keep moving forward…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

METRO

Little Girl Was Living Alone In A House After Her Parents Died. Her New Neighbors Saw This –

Published

on

By

 

This is the story of a teenage girl who found herself alone in a rusted, weathered house after the death of her parents. But when new neighbors moved in, something extraordinary happened one night.

Lily Miller, an 18-year-old, woke up in the middle of the night. She couldn’t sleep, her mind filled with memories of her parents, who had tragically passed away in a car accident six months ago. Ever since that day, Lily had been living by herself in the house her parents built in a quiet area on the outskirts of California. Although life was tough, she was determined not to end up in an orphanage. With that resolve, she decided to look for a job…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

However, finding work proved to be more challenging than she expected. Days turned into weeks without success. Then, one morning, while walking along a sidewalk, Lily stumbled upon a wallet lying on the ground. She picked it up and noticed it contained a large sum of money. Without hesitation, she sought out the owner and returned it to him.

“Thank you so much. It’s rare to meet someone as honest as you. How can I repay your kindness?” said the man, introducing himself as Mr. Roberts.

Lily hesitated but eventually shared her story. Deeply moved, Mr. Roberts offered her a job at his restaurant. Lily accepted his offer with heartfelt gratitude. She worked hard, and it wasn’t long before Mr. Roberts grew fond of her diligence and sincerity.

Lily continued living in her parents’ house because it was close to the restaurant. One night, she noticed that the door to the house next door was open, signaling that new tenants had moved in. The following morning, before heading to work, Lily decided to visit and introduce herself.

When she arrived, the door was slightly ajar. She was about to call out when a thin, pale little girl appeared. Lily felt slightly uneasy but managed a smile.

“Hi, I’m your neighbor. I noticed your door was open, so I came by to say hello,” Lily said kindly.

A young man standing just behind the girl stepped forward and greeted her with a warm smile.

“Hi, I’m Andrew, and this is my younger sister, Emma. It’s nice to meet you,” he said. “I’ve been making some food for my mom; she’s really sick.”

Lily’s heart softened as she realized the siblings had to stay home to care for their ill mother. After chatting for a short while, Lily excused herself and headed to work.

That same day marked an important milestone for Lily—her first paycheck. At the end of her shift, Mr. Roberts handed her a brown envelope. Excited, Lily opened it but was surprised to find more money than she expected. Confused, she went to his office to thank him.

Mr. Roberts smiled kindly and said, “It’s all right, Lily. You remind me of my daughter.”

His voice was calm but heavy with emotion, and tears began to roll down his cheeks. Lily was taken aback. She didn’t understand why he was crying, so she later shared the incident with a coworker. That’s when she learned the truth.

More than 20 years ago, Mr. Roberts had a daughter named Maria. After a heated argument, she ran away with her irresponsible fiancé. Despite searching for her, Mr. Roberts never found her again. Years turned into decades, but his grief and guilt never faded.

Hearing his story filled Lily with empathy. That evening, as she walked home, her thoughts shifted to her new neighbors. She knew life wasn’t easy for them, so she stopped by a store to buy some food.

When Lily arrived at their house, Andrew and Emma were surprised and touched by her gesture. For the first time in a while, they had a nutritious meal. Later that night, Andrew opened up to Lily. He shared how he, Emma, and their mother had moved to this town, hoping for a fresh start.

“Our father squandered the family’s savings on alcohol and abandoned us,” Andrew explained. “To support us, my mom worked tirelessly until her health deteriorated. The doctors said she needs surgery, but we don’t have the money. I would get a job, but I have to take care of her and my sister every day.”

Lily felt a deep sense of pity. She realized she wasn’t the only one going through difficult times. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. Then, looking at Andrew with determination, she promised to do something to help his mother.

Andrew, unsure of what she could do, simply nodded.

The next morning, Lily went to Mr. Roberts’s office, her eyes brimming with tears. She explained her neighbor’s situation, describing the urgency of the mother’s operation, and then asked for a loan.

“I’ll pay you back little by little with my salary,” she said earnestly.

The elderly man listened quietly. After a long pause, he spoke in a calm voice.

“I’ll help this poor woman. I know what it’s like to face such struggles. Don’t worry; I’ll have my manager transfer the money directly to the hospital’s account.” READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Lily was overwhelmed with gratitude. Unable to hold back her emotions, she hugged Mr. Roberts tightly. The old man, moved by her kindness, wiped away tears as he embraced her in return.

That night, Lily couldn’t wait to share the good news with Andrew. However, when she arrived at their house, she found Andrew and Emma looking distraught.

“My mom’s really sick, and we need to take her to the clinic,” little Emma said, her voice trembling.

In that moment, Lily knelt down to Emma’s level and smiled. “It’s going to be okay,” she reassured her. “I found the money for your mom’s surgery. She’ll be fine soon.”

Emma’s eyes lit up, and the siblings hugged Lily tightly, their faces filled with relief and hope.

True to his word, Mr. Roberts transferred the money to the hospital the very next day. A few days later, the doctors performed the operation. It was a success, and their mother’s health began to improve steadily.

Feeling immense gratitude, Andrew accompanied Lily to Mr. Roberts’s office to thank him. As soon as Andrew stepped into the room, his expression changed.

“What’s wrong, young man? Is everything okay with your mother?” Mr. Roberts asked, his face showing concern.

Andrew hesitated. “I don’t know how to say this, but I think I’ve seen you somewhere before. My mom gave me a photo before her surgery. Let me go get it.”

Andrew rushed home, retrieved the photo, and brought it back to show Mr. Roberts. When the elderly man looked at the picture, his face turned pale, and he clutched his chest.

It was a photo of himself as a younger man, standing beside his wife on their wedding day—a photo that had disappeared the day his daughter left home.

Overwhelmed, Mr. Roberts turned to Andrew and asked, “What’s your mother’s name?”

“My mother’s name is Maria Smith,” Andrew replied.

Lily gasped in shock, covering her mouth as Mr. Roberts moved closer to Andrew and embraced him tightly.

As you might imagine, Andrew was confused. But after hearing the owner’s heartbreaking story, everything became clear. His mother, Maria, was the long-lost daughter Mr. Roberts had been searching for all these years.

When the truth was revealed, Mr. Roberts wasted no time visiting his daughter at the hospital. The moment he saw her, he was speechless.

“My God, sweetheart, is it really you? It’s been so long. I’ve missed you so much,” he said, tears streaming down his face as he hugged her tightly.

Maria, recognizing her father, began to cry as well. Holding his hands, she apologized, and he did the same. In that moment, they reconciled, their years of pain melting away.

Mr. Roberts realized then that hiring Lily was a blessing. After so many years, she had reunited him with his daughter and introduced him to his two grandchildren.

For Lily, her bond with Andrew grew even stronger. Over time, they continued to see each other, and a few years later, they got married—a union that brought immense joy to Mr. Roberts and Maria.

At their wedding, Mr. Roberts stood up to speak.

“Who would have thought that a chance meeting could change my life forever? I don’t believe it was a coincidence that we met; I think it was meant to be. You might think I’ve done a lot for you, Lily, but the truth is, you’ve done far more for me than you could ever imagine. Thank you, and welcome to the family. I’m so proud to call you both my family.”

And so, Lily’s life, once marked by loss and loneliness, transformed into one filled with love, family, and new beginnings.

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

METRO

The waitress was fired for saving the old man. But his son showed up and did IT! –

Published

on

By

 

The usual bustle reigned in the cozy restaurant on the corner of a quiet street. Customers enjoyed their food, and waiters scurried between tables, serving food and drinks. Among them was a young girl named Anya, a kind-hearted and sympathetic waitress who always tried to help every visitor.

That evening, her attention was attracted by an elderly man sitting by the window. He looked tired, and at one point, his face contorted in pain. Anya noticed how he grabbed his chest and immediately left the tray with the order, rushing to him.

“Are you okay?” she asked, kneeling down next to his chair…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

The man could barely answer. His breathing became ragged, and his skin turned pale. Without wasting a second, Anya called an ambulance and tried to calm the man down, holding his hand.

But her noble deed did not go unnoticed by the restaurant administrator, Ivan. He flew up to the girl, seething with anger.

“What are you doing?!” he shouted. “You have work to do! Visitors are waiting for their orders, and you are doing nonsense! It’s not your concern!”

Anya, stunned by this reaction, tried to explain: “But he feels bad! He needs help, and this is more important…”

“Shut up!” Ivan interrupted her. “You’re fired! Pack your things and leave!”

The girl, having difficulty holding back her tears, returned to the utility room to change clothes. At this time, a man entered the restaurant, whose appearance changed the entire course of events. It was Alexey Vladimirovich, the owner of the establishment. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Seeing him, the administrator immediately rushed to him with a greeting, but Alexey’s attention was attracted by the picture: the doctors who had already arrived were helping his father—the same elderly man whom Anya was helping.

“What’s going on here?” Alexey asked sternly.

The doctors explained that if it had not been for the prompt reaction of the young waitress, the situation could have ended much worse. Alexey turned to Ivan.

“And why do I hear that you fired her because she saved my father?”

Ivan began to make excuses, but the owner was adamant. “You’re fired. Take your things and leave.

Anya,” he turned to the girl, “come back, please. And… if you don’t mind, I would like to offer you the position of administrator. A person like you deserves better.”

Anya, stunned but happy, agreed. Since that day, the restaurant has changed. With the new administrator in the person of Anya, it has become an even cozier and more sincere place where people came not only for delicious food but also for warmth and care.

 

READ FULL STORY HERE>>...CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>
Continue Reading

Trending