In an effort to raise awareness for educational and enlightenment purposes, WITHIN NIGERIA recognizes a significant event that happened on May 5 in our country, Nigeria.
On this day, May 5 in 2010, former President and Commander in Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua died late Wednesday evening, about 9 o’clock at his official residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The president’s health reportedly declined a week before he passed away, and medical personnel were rushed in from the King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jedda, Saudi Arabia.
When the doctors realized Yar’Adua could no longer fall asleep, they began giving him sedatives.
However, the insomnia persisted, and by 3 p.m. yesterday, his health-related concern had grown.
According to sources, he ultimately gave up around 9 p.m.
Since leaving Nigeria for Saudi Arabia on November 23, 2009 for a medical examination, the President has not been seen in public.
After 90 days in the hospital, the president was transported back from Saudi Arabia in the wee hours of February 24, 2010.
He has remained confined to his official residence ever since his return. Although he was not visible to the general public, he did permit certain visitors, including members of the church, family, and very close friends, as well as Islamic leaders.
His illness’s exact nature was formerly shrouded in rumor. However, according to insiders, the President suffered severe brain damage, a stroke, and kidney failure while he was being treated at King Faisal Hospital.
The seriousness of his illness, however, was never confirmed by Nigerian officials, who instead maintained that things were getting better.
Nigeria’s Abubakar signed new constitution
On this day, May 5 in 1999, General Abdulsalami Abubakar signed into law a constitution that will come into force when the recently elected government takes power.
Abubakar recalled at the signing ceremony in the capital, Abuja, that a committee he set up to review the country’s constitutional needs found Nigerians disapproved of the 1995 version prepared under late dictator Sani Abacha.
In place of that document, which was widely seen as part of Abacha’s scheme to retain power until his sudden death in mid-1998, the committee recommended a return to the 1979 constitution, which provided the framework for the last civilian government until the military seized power in 1983.
“The PRC (Provisional Ruling Council) deliberated on the constitution… made amendments and updated it to be the 1999 constitution, which is being signed into law today,” Abubakar said.
“I’m very sure that it will meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians,” he added.
