By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem
The year 2016 has come and gone. It will go down in history as one of the most remarkable years in recent memory. A lot of individuals, through their achievements, failures, actions, inactions and comments contributed to making the year what it was.
These people are movers and shakers whose impact in 2016 means they will also have a say on how things go in the new year. Below are the names of those who dominated the news headlines both locally and internationally in 2016, from A to Z:
A – Akeredolu: Aketi finally lands in Govt House
Former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is one of those Nigerians who will consider the year 2016 as a successful one. Popularly called ‘Aketi,’ the legal luminary has never hidden his desire to govern the people of Ondo state. Having failed a couple of times in the past, he won the All Progressives Congress ticket in controversial circumstances and defeated Eyitayo Jegede and Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Alliance for Democracy, respectively, to clinch the seat this time. He is set to replace incumbent Olusegun Mimiko at the Alagbaka Government House in Akure on February 24.
His ambition however tore his party apart and exposed the fault lines within the APC as national leader, Bola Tinubu and national chairman, John Oyegun, washed their dirty linens in public over personal and group interests.
B – Buhari: First Family entertains Nigerians with some drama amidst recession
While Nigerian economy entered recession with massive job losses, falling naira and pervasive hunger in the land, President Muhammadu Buhari who many consider clueless in tackling the issues, chose to entertain Nigerians with some drama alongside his wife and fellow cast, Aisha.
In the midst of growing disillusionment among the populace about where the country was headed under her husband’s watch, Aisha spoke to a BBC Hausa correspondent and lambasted the President for abandoning ordinary Nigerians and those who worked for his election in 2015. She in fact threatened not to support his reelection in 2019.
Right in front of German Chancellor, Angella Merkel, a woman, President Buhari laughed off his wife’s complaints, saying “… She belongs to the kitchen, living room and the other room.”
Amidst the outrage generated by the President’s seeming disrespect for women Aisha flew to Geneva, Switzerland to deliver a paper on the role of women in fighting extremism and radicalisation. It was just a show to entertain suffering masses….
While there was slight improvement in power supply during the year, the fall of Sambisa forest and capture of many terrorists as well as rescue of few Chibok girls marked a successful year for the President in the area of security.
The President was however caught pants down plagiarizing President Barack Obama’s 2008 election victory speech.
While opposition figures continued to have it rough with EFCC over allegations of corruption, the President failed to take any strong action against any of his own men who were also accused of graft. Some were caught collecting bribe from corruption suspects and some from MTN, some for owning houses in Dubai which their legitimate pay could not afford: some for allegedly stealing IDP funds and many more. The revelations against characters like Ibrahim Magu, Babachir Lawal, Abba Kyari and Lt-General Tukur Buratai showed that as far as 2016 was concerned, the President slept, woke up and wined and dined with corruption.
C – Clinton: Fails to break the glass ceiling
Former First Lady, Secretary of States and Senator from New York, Hillary Clinton, was so sure she would win the November 8 Presidential election against the less-fancied, foul-mouthed billionaire, Donald Trump, that she planned to put up a show at the glass-walled Javits Center in Manhattan, as part of her victory speech to symbolize the final crashing of the glass ceiling.
Her opponent however had other plans as he took most, if not all of the battleground states which gave him far more than the 270 electoral college votes, leaving the rest of the stunned.
Even though she won the popular votes with over 2.5 million, it was not enough for Clinton to be America’s first female leader. The highest, hardest glass ceiling stays.
D – Dogara: Budget Padder of the Federal Republic (BDFR)
House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, was accused of supervising the fraudulent insertion of several items worth billions of naira into the 2016 budget.
His partner-in-crime- turned-nemesis, Abdulmumuni Jibrin, blew the whistle, telling the world how Dogara, principal officers and even previous occupiers of the office had defrauded Nigerians in the name of constituency projects.
President Muhammadu Buhari was so stunned by the weight of the scandal that he kept on repeating that in all his decades of public service, he had never heard of the word ‘padding’.
Dogara had the last laugh however as both the Presidency and the anti-corruption agencies petitioned by Jibrin did nothing on the matter. Jibrin was in fact suspended by his colleagues, forcing him into exile.
E – El-Rufai: Southern Kaduna killings overshadows solid performance
One of the most intelligent Nigerians you can find around is Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai. While the first class brain was busy putting infrastructure and town planning right in Kaduna metropolis, Zaria and other cities just as he did in Abuja as FCT minister, the incessant killings in Southern Kaduna not only put him in the news for the wrong reasons but also exposed his hidden weaknesses.
When Dr Goodluck Jonathan as President faced similar challenge with the Boko Haram sect, El-Rufai was often the first to tweet each time a bomb went off to call Jonathan ‘clueless’ and all sort of names. The former BPE boss now has only one state to contend with. What goes around…
F – Fayose: Pain in the neck of APC
You may hate his guts but you have to admire his doggedness and consistency in standing stall for whatever he believes in. He has declared war on President Muhammadu Buhari since the day he announced his bid for the top job.
Some may see him as a thug but the brilliancy in his lines while criticising some Federal Government actions are often food for thought. While he has pocketed his state and declared it a no-go area for the APC, he spent the whole of 2016 hitting the President below the belt and asking him to resign if he could not solve the problem of hunger which Nigerians suffered.
He was caught on tape discussing how the PDP manipulated the last Rivers election with his Rivers state counterpart, Nyesom Wike. He however dared the DSS to relocate to the Government House in Ado Ekiti in order to be able to tape his words and actions properly as he was prepared to make the new year even more uncomfortable for the ruling party.
G – Griezmann: Top scorer at Euro 2016
After a remarkable 2015/2016 season in which he led Athletico Madrid to the second champions league final in three years and third in La-liga, Antoine Griezmann also led the lines for France at Euro 2016. Ppp
A man for the big occasion, the 25-year-old produced a couple of eye catching displays and scored the goals which took his country to the final, winning the golden boot as top scorer with 6 goals and 2 assists.
He also went into the history books as the tournament’s 4th all-time top scorer behind Alan Shearer (7), Michael Platini (9) and Christiano Ronaldo (9). In fact, he is the 2nd highest scorer in a single edition in the history of the competition behind former UEFA boss, Michael Platini, who scored all his 9 goals for France on home soil in 1984.
H – Higuain: Joins Juventus for a crazy fee
After scoring a record-equalling 36 league goals for second-placed Napoli in the 2015/2016 season, Gonzalo Huguain made his move to league winners, Juventus in the summer of 2016 for over 75 million pounds
The deal made him the third most expensive player in football history behind Christiano Ronaldo (80m punds) and Gareth Bale (85m pounds). Paul Pogba’s 89 million pounds move from Juventus to Manchester United later in the summer however pushed him to 4th.
Higuain’s deal also became the most expensive domestic move ever, eclipsing Fernando Torres’ 50 million pounds move from Liverpool to Chelsea in January, 2011.
I – Iheanacho: Deadliest striker in EPL history
Prodigiously-talented Nigerian superstar, Kelechi Iheanacho, also had a remarkable year, banging in crucial goals for the Super Eagles in qualifiers and friendly games.
While also scoring consistently for Manchester City, since joining last season, his goal per-minute ratio made him the deadliest striker in the history of the English Premier League.
He tops the prolific scorers’ chat which includes scorers who have scored a minimum of 10 goals. His goal in the game against Hull City meant he has scored a goal in every 95.6 minutes. Behind him is his teammate, Sergio Aguero.
Legends like Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ruud Van Nistelroy and many others are also behind Iheanacho on the chart.
J – Jibrin: Suspended for blowing the whistle
Former chairman, House of Representatives committee on appropriation, Abdulmumuni Jibrin, hit the headlines in 2016 when he blew the whistle on the budget padding scandal in the House.
In a series of tweets, press statements and interviews, he accused House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and other colleagues of committing several atrocities.
His own integrity was also called to question because he blew the whistle only after he was removed from the juicy committee by Dogara. He was eventually suspended from the Green Chamber.
K – Kante: The little genius
As far as Sir Alex Ferguson was concerned, the best player in the English Premier League last season was Ngolo Kante and not his teammate, Riyad Mahrez, who won the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the year award.
Kante was the all-action midfielder who bullied other midfielders and propelled Leicester City to the unbelievable EPL trophy last season. He has been the reason Chelsea are over the moon this season, topping the league with 6 points and winning 13 consecutive games.
Chelsea were near relegation at this time last season because the diminutive French midfielder was not in the side while Leicester were flying high because he was providing midfield cover that made the likes of Mahrez, Jammie Vardy and Danny Drinkwater to thrive upfront. The two clubs have now swapped positions on the table because the 25-year-old made the 30 million pounds move to West London in the summer of 2016.
L- Lawal: N200m to clear grass
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, had a turbulent year, having to answer questions over accusation of of owning a company, Global Vision Ltd which benefitted from fraudulent contracts in the Presidential Initiative for Northeast.
The Senate had to call for his sack and prosecution as the company, which was registered to carryout ICT services was allegedly paid 200 million naira to clear ‘invasive plant specie’ in Yobe state.
M – Magu: The hunter becomes the hunted
The reason many Nigeria politicians, former governors and ex-ministers had a bad year was because Ibrahim Magu did his job diligently. He was the unwanted visitor in the home of many of them. As the point-man of the Federal Government anti-corruption crusade, he was so popular in the country
The table however turned towards the end of the year when the Senate rejected his nomination to become substantive boss of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Senate claimed it had an unfavourable security report on him, accusing him of certain corrupt practices. Since then, there has been rumours flying round that he will be removed. Not many Nigerians saw Magu as a saint but it seemed his fate was more of the corrupt elite conspiracy against him than what we were told.
N – Nieto: Bullied by Donald Trump
Mexican leader, Enrique Peña Nieto, was in the news for hosting a shocking meeting with U.S. GOP candidate, Donald Trump, who had never hidden his hatred for Mexicans, calling them rapists and drug barons.
Trump had in fact said that he would build a wall along the Mexican border and the Mexicans would be forced to pay for it. Trump returned home to claim Nieto had agreed to pay for the wall. Nieto denied it and in fact expressed regret for inviting the real estate mogul as his popularity dropped significantly due to that decision.
O – Obaseki: The chosen one
Adams Oshiomole made it clear at the beginning of the year that he won’t be neutral in the choice of who succeeds him as Edo state governor.
The former Labour leader bulldozed his way to make sure one of his closest aides, Godwin Obaseki, won the APC ticket.
On the campaign trail, it was as if his life depended on Obaseki’s election. He took his critics to the cleaners, saying the state could not afford to go back to the era of the PDP vultures who allegedly looted the state dry between 1999 and 2012.
He eventually had his way as Obaseki defeated the PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to succeed him.
P – Pogba: Most expensive player in football history
After many years of hype and a long-drawn transfer saga, French midfielder, Paul Pogba, eventually made a sensational return to Manchester United for a world record fee of 89 million pounds in the summer. He subsequently became the world most expensive player, taking the title from Gareth Bale, who had joined Real Madrid from Spurs for 85 million pounds a few years back. He had an indifferent start to life at Old Trafford as he was constantly blamed for his team’s poor form early in the 2016/2017 season. He eventually put together a series of impressive displays towards the end of the year as Jose Mourinho eventually found the best role for him.
Q – Quadri: Sets African record at Rio 2016
Nigerian Table Tennis player, Aruna Quadri, did not only get to the quarter finals at the Olympic Games, becoming the first African to go that far, he also moved up on the ITTF ranking from 40th to 25th best player in the world. He was also in the 4-man shortlist for the ITTF best player for the year 2016.
R – Ronaldo: 4th time World Best Player
Christiano Ronaldo Dos Santos Aviero is arguably the greatest sportsman on the planet earth today. He has proven himself at Portugal, England and Spain, scoring and exceling, smashing records and creating new ones under different managers, with different languages and different weather. He won everything in 2016- champions league, top scorer in the competition, Euro 2016, UEFA Super Cup, World Club Cup, World Best Player etc.
S – Saraki : Cat with uncountable lives
Nigeria’s number three citizen, Dr Bukola Saraki, carried over the challenges he faced as result of insisting on becoming Senate President from 2015 to 2016. His asset declaration trial with the Code of Conduct Tribunal kept him in the news almost throughout the year. The hullabaloo however died down when the judge in the case withdrew when his integrity was also questioned. Despite all predictions that Saraki wont last more than a few months in the office, the former Kwara state governor is still standing tall in office. He seemed to have made peace with the APC establishment and the Presidency.
T – Trump – America also embraces change
Despite all odds, real estate magnate with no experience in government, Donald Trump, defeated everyone’s favorite, Hillary Clinton to become America’s 45th President in the November 8 poll. He lost all the opinion polls. He was second best in all the three televised debates. He lost the respect of the civilized world with his divisive rhetoric and some of the outlandish comments he made about Africans, Muslims, Latinos, Mexicans, women etc. But he won the election.
U – Un: The tyrant consolidates on his tyranny
North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-un already had a solid reputation for mindless executions and human rights violations since he took office on the death of his father in 2011. His first victim was his uncle. In the year 2016, the 32-year-old continued his killing spree, ordering the execution of his ministers, soldiers and other officials, some for sleeping during functions and some for offering suggestions on how to run the state. A report came out in the course of the year which stated that he had cruelly executed about 340 people in 5 years.
V – Vardy: Scores the goals, wins the title
After bursting onto the season at the beginning of the 2015/2016 season with breathtaking goals for Leicester City, Jammie Vardy proved in 2016 that his early season form was no fluke. He ended the season with 24 league goals, winning the EPL Player of the Season Award and the first league title for Claudio Ranieri’s side in their 132-year existence. He lost the golden boot to fellow Englishman, Harry Kane, by just a goal.
W – Wizkid: Nominated for Grammy
In 2016, Nigerian superstar, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, aka Wizkid, achieved more international recognition following his collaboration with Canadian hip-hop artist, Drake,, on his global hit, “One Dance”, which reached number one in 15 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. That effort earned him Grammy nomination, becoming the third Nigerian artiste to be so honored after King Sunny Ade and Fela Anikulapo Kuti. He did further collaborations with Chris Brown, Terry Songz, French Montana, Justine Skye, DJ Marphosa and many others. He also won other several awards nominations including Headies Artiste of the Year, MOBO awards, MTV Europe Awards, All African Star Awards and many others.
X – Xhaka: Arsenal’s third most expensive signing
Before impressing at Euro 2016, Swiss midfielder, Granit Xhaka had signed for the Gunners for a massive fee of 30 million pounds. Only Alexis Sanchez (35 million pounds from Barcelona) and Mesut Ozil (42 million pounds from Real Madrid) cost more than him in Arsenal history. He ended the year on a high, playing a crucial part in Arsenal’s battle for trophies on all front, making up for the long-term absence of Santi Cazorla and forcing Jack Wilshere to go on loan to Bournemouth. He also scored a couple of important goals.
Y – Young John: Headies Producer of the Year
Award-winning record producer and sound engineer, Udomboso John Saviours, popularly called ‘Young John, also had a remarkable 2016. The 21-year-old produced hit songs, Baddest for Olamide and Y.A.G.I for Lil Kesh and ended the year with a deserved award at the Headies for producing ‘Mama’ for Kiss Daniel.
Z – Zuma: Survives another corruption scandal
South African President, Jacob Zuma, is not a stranger to scandals. His entire public service career has been plagued by rape, financial scandal and other forms of abuse. How he has managed to get those charges against him dropped over the years remains a puzzle to be solved by political scientists. He got his fingers burnt again in 2016, with a report indicting him and his son of influence-peddling and mismanagement of funds. His job was on the line this time but again, he survived.
REGRETTABLE MISSES
A – Adulyadej: World’s longest-serving monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, joins his ancestors after a 70-year reign. He was 88.
Ali: The World’s greatest, Muhammad Ali, goes home at age 74.
Ajayi: Hollywood veteran, Bukky Zainab Ajayi, quits the stage at 82.
B – Biles: American gymnast, Simon Biles, wins 4 gold and 1 bronze medals at Rio Olympics to become the most decorated gymmnast in American history.
Bolt: World’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, repeats Beijing 2008 and London 2012 feat by winning 100m, 200m and 4 by 100 gold medals at Rio 2016.
C – Castro: Cuban former revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, dies at age 90.
D – Dalung: Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, swims from one controversy to the other. From one incompetent outing and careless comment to the other.
Djokovic: Serbian tennis star, Novak Djokovic wins both Australia and French Opens to become the third man to hold all four major titles at once.
E – Erdogan: Turkish leader, Recep Erdogan, survives a major coup attempt. Goes after the coupists and their alleged backers.
F- Farah: British athlete, Mohammed Farah, repeats London 2012 feat by winning gold in 5000 and 10000 metres at Rio 2016. He was knighted by the British authorities in December.
G – Park Geun-hye: In the middle of a massive scandal, which may cost her her job as South Korean leader.
I – Ibrahimovic: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores 50 goals in all competitions for clubs (PSG and Manchester United) and country, Sweden, in 2016 just one behind Lionel Messi
J – Jonathan: Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, continues to win global awards and recognitions.
K – Kanu: Nigerian soccer legend, Nwankwo Kanu, honoured as 48th best player of all time.
Kerry: U.S. Secretary of States, John Kerry, fails to strike sustainable peace deal with Russia to end the carnage in Syria.
M – May: Theresa May becomes second female British Prime Minister after Brexit votes consumed David Cameron.
Mayorkun: Nigeria Teen Choice award winner for his hit single, ‘Eleko’ was Mayowa Adewale, aka Mayorkun, the ex-banker and son of popular Yoruba actress, Toyin Adewale.
Mourinho: Jose Mourinho was The Rejected One at Chelsea, but The Celebrated One at Manchester United.
Murray: After winning gold medal at the tennis event in Rio and also Wimbledon Open among other achievements, Andy Murray was knighted by the British authorities.
O – Obama: U.S. President, Barack Obama, fails to install Hillary Clinton as successor, blames Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Olamide: Superstar singer and founder of YBNL (Yahoo Boy No Laptop), Olamide Adedeji releases hit singles ‘Owo Blow’ and ‘Who You Epp’.
Omagbemi: Former Super Falcons’ star, Florence Omagbemi coached the team to another African Women Championship success in Cameroon.
Oyegun: APC national chairman, John Oyegun is accused of being corrupt and incompetent as party tears apart under his watch.
P – Phelps: American swimmer, Michael Phelps, wins five gold medals and one silver at the Rio Olympics to become the most decorated athlete in Olympics history, with 28 medals, 23 of which were gold.
Phyno: Famous singer, Azubuike Chibuzor Nelson, wins Headies’ Song of the Year award for his hit song, ‘Fada Fada’.
Putin: Russian leader, Vladimir Putin remained Barack Obama’s tormentor-in-chief throughout the year. He was accused of playing a part in installing Donald Trump as Obama’s successor.
S – Shettima: Borno governor, Kashim Shettima, heaves a sigh of relief as Sambisa falls to Nigerian military.
T – Tinubu: APC National Leader, Bola Tinubu, said to be at loggerheads with President Buhari’s loyalists. Accused National Chairman, John Oyegun, of collecting money to impose Akeredolu on Ondo.
W – Williams: American tennis legend, Serena Williams, wins Wimbledon Open to complete 22 career grand slam.
Awesome