As billions of people surfed the net for the week that ended on the 8th of May, 2015, some names kept recurring due to the events that were tied around their personalities. We highlight what people were searching for on google before these names popped up and why.
Girl Power
In a time when women empowerment was limited or completely unrecognized, Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman, defiled all odds and chose to show to give the world a different story to tell on women. Born on May 5th 1864, Elizabeth who was known by the pen name, Nellie Bly, was the embodiment of female empowerment even before the term was coined. Before her demise on January 27th 1922, Bly was a writer, industrialist, inventor and a charity worker. In 1889, she embarked on a famous 72-day trip around the world.
The Google Doodle celebrated the 151st anniversary of her birth to remind all that, girls – and boys – now as then can accomplish anything they put their minds to which made this a top hit on google as thousands in Nigeria and across the world googled inspiration and this story popped up
Boxing Gold
What was supposed to be the “Fight of the Century” turned out not to be as great as many had anticipated. However, one lesson that we gathered from the years-in-the-making Mayweather-Pacquiao boxing event is that, the patient dogs do get fat bones but with fat meat on them. This has led some unsatisfied customers to wonder if it was all a marketing ploy- an assumption that led to millions seeking for closure via Google. Many believe that it was an attempt to keep fight fans salivating at the prospect as many were literally willing to sell their homes for those tickets. Indeed, the pay check for the American ($200 mil.) and the Filipino ($100 mil.) were big enough to buy them many more homes even as a rematch is being considered in a year’s time. So, start saving for the tickets.
Have Messi!
The first leg of the UEFA Champions League Semi-final clash between Barcelona and Bayern Munich looked headed for a drab conclusion, until a certain Lionel Messi kicked into gear and propelled the Catalans to a three-nil victory with two goals and an assist. His total haul in European competition now stands at 77, one more than Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s and has thrown the frequent spotlight on the fierce rivalry between arguably the two best footballers on the planet. Even those who aren’t great fans of the game, have been held spellbound like everyone else by their battle for supremacy and
Googled in droves for stats and figures – and of course, went YouTubing for another look at that second goal which was a stunner. They lost their match this week but at least got to the finals.
Falling star
On a late night in September 2002, five men sitting on a sidewalk in Mumbai were run over by a Toyota Land Cruiser allegedly being driven by a drunken man who was unknown at the time. The five victims sustained varying degrees of injury, leaving one man dead. Twelve years later, an Indian court has determined that 2002’s drunken man is none other than Bollywood’s megastar, Salman Khan. He was sentenced to five years in jail on a charge of culpable homicide which has raised a storm among his fans and colleagues who curiously hit Google and YouTube in their numbers. This makes us wonder if certain individuals should receive preferential treatment from society and its laws on the basis of their fame, fortune and influence.
Fallen Stars
Peter Bunor
It is with a heavy heart that the family of Veteran actor of stage and screen, Peter Bunor, announced his exit from the stage and screen of life to the world beyond. In a statement released by his son and fellow actor, Peter Bunor jnr, revealed that his father died on Friday due to complications from the stroke that had afflicted him for five years.
Known for roles in popular TV series and drama as Cock Crow at Dawn, Checkmate and Second Chance, Bunor had a couple of years back, complained about the neglect of his colleagues since his health began to fail. It is sad that the matter of Artistes’ welfare is mainly spoken of whenever one passes on and not when something can be done.
Sly
One is heart breaking but having two in one week is devastating. Nigeria lost another of its talents, Sylvester “Sly” Ojigbede who was an OAP with Classic FM. He had started out his career in the banking industry before pursuing his passion for radio. He became quickly established as one of Classic’s star performers and became familiar to many listeners of the station as the presenter of its popular Classic X-press on Saturday mornings.
He died of complications from a spinal cord infection which he had nursed for a while and his passing was a shock to many. Sly was thirty-seven and is survived by his wife and two children. Our deep condolence goes out to his family.
Sometimes, reading is not enough. Many love to watch. While others were on Google, many got diverted to YouTube. Here are the top 5 videos that trended in Nigeria….
1. Huggies Presents: Meeting Murilo
2. Marriage Proposal Caught on Tape
3. Lionel Messi’s Amazing Second Goal
