15:T770,

There are some interesting coincidences between Spain and Nigeria in respect of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB).
Ignatius of Loyola was born in Northern Spain in 1491; he was a soldier. Ibrahim Babangida was born in Northern Nigeria in 1941, also a soldier. 1491 could be said to be a rearrangement of 1941.
Babangida is an ex-General of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Ignatius a Superior General of the Catholic Church.
Ignatius took up arms for the Duke of Najera, broke his leg and injured another. He was known to limp, had surgery and spent a long time recovering after being taken home by French soldiers.
Babangida fought in the Nigerian Civil War, sustained a leg injury, is known to limp, had surgery and spent a long time recovering in a hospital in France.
Najera sounds like Nigeria. Najera is associated with the river Najerilla. Nigeria is associated with the river Niger.

Ignatius lived in the Castle of Loyola in Spain. Babangda lives in a Mansion in Minna, Niger State.
July 31 is known as the Feast of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius of Loyola died July 31, 1556.

On July 31, 1991 Babangida declared open the Executive Chamber of the Presidential Villa (where maters of State are deliberated).

Interestingly, Raymond Dokpesi, the director of the Babangida Campaign Organisation when the retired General unsuccessfully sought to return to power as a civilian President, is an old Boy of Loyola College Ibadan.

•Photo: IBB has much in common with Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

•COINCIDENCES is a weekly column that appears on Wednesdays. The columnist, Augustine Togonu-Bickersteth, is based in England, Britain, but can be reached via e-mail through atogonub@hotmail.co.uk or info@newsexpressngr.com

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