By Enyeribe Ejiogu

the year that rolled away yesterday had its bitter and sweet moments, the ups and downs, low and high points.
These ranged from tragedies, social and economic upheavals, face-offs and political episodes that remain red-lettered even as we welcome the New Year. Below, the effervescent Sunday Sun brings you a recap:

• FG increased fuel to N145 per litre
On May 11, 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari removed fuel subsidy and raised the pump price of petrol from N86.50k to N145, in one fell swoop. It was a move that saw him jacking up the price of the vital product, the price of which he had previously reduced to N86.50 from the existing pump price of N87, which former President Goodluck Jonathan had set to woo the electorate by reducing the petrol price from the previous price of N97 fixed by his administration.
• What! Yunusa abducted Ese Oruru …and she was “rescued” with a pregnant tummy
The arraignment of Yunusa Dahiru in Yenagoa on March 8, 2016, became the most celebrated case in Bayelsa State. Yunusa, popularly known as Yellow, abducted 13-year-old Ese Oruru from Yenagoa, spiited her out of the state to Kano State, where he converted her to Islam, married and then impregnated her. The whole gamut of illegal acts caused an uproar that eventually compelled the Inspector General of Police to become personally involved in the effort to rescue her. By the time Ese returned to Yenagoa, the pregnancy had advanced and she eventually gave birth to a baby boy.
•Oh, how sad that Felix Ibru died!
• Death claimed Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi, his wife and son a tragic auto crash
On Sunday, March 6, 2016, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. James Ocholi, his wife and son were killed in a ghastly accident about 57 kilometers away from Kaduna, after a rear tyre of the SUV they were driving in burst, causing the vehicle to skid off the road, somersaulted several times into the bush. They sustained fatal injuries that caused their death.
• Five killed in deadly Lagos ethnic clash
On March 3, 2016, a clash that broke out at the popular Mile-12 Market in Lagos, between the Yoruba and Hausa traders left five people dead and many injured. Several shops were burnt, compelling the state government shutdown the market. Even the Lagos State House of Assembly called for the relocation of the market.
• Marriage of Tiwa Savage to Tee Billz cracked
The marriage of successful songster, Tiwa Savage hit the rocks, following a social media rant by her estranged husband, Tunji Balogun, more popularly known as Tee Billz. The problem was compounded after Tiwa granted an interview to portray him as an irresponsible husband, father, drug addict, chronic debtor and a first rate womaniser.
• Bloodbath in Enugu
On April 26, 2016, Fulani herdsmen invaded Enugu community and killed about 40 people and injured many more.
• Korede Taiwo chained by his father, a pastor
On July 24, 2016, nine-year-old boy was discovered chained by his father for months, in the premises of his church, Key of Joy Celestial Church of Christ, Ajibawo area in Atan Ota, Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
• Former Nigeria captain and coach Stephen Keshi died on Wednesday, June 8 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was aged 54.
As if Keshi’s death was not painful enough, the Nigeria Football Federation technical director, Amodu Shuaibu, who was also a former coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria has passed on June 10 at age 58.
• A 42-year-old mother of seven and an assistant pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Mrs Eunice Elisha, was in the early hours of July 9 murdered by assailants, while preaching around Gbazango-­West area of Kubwa in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).Eunice, an indigene of Ekiti State, was a Deaconess at the Divine Touch Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Old NEPA Road, Phase 4, Kubwa, Abuja.
• Twenty one of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls were released by their Boko Haram captors in the town of Banki close to Nigeria’s border with Cameroon In the early hours of October 13.
• Commander of the 119 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Lt Col. Muhammad Abu Ali was killed on November 4 during an ambush by Boko Haram militants. He died during a confrontation with the insurgents who attacked the battalion’s location at Mallam Fatori in a failed attempt to capture the town in Borno state. The late lieutenant colonel became famous for his bravery when he led one of the fiercest battles ever with Boko Haram, in February 2015, leading to the recapture of Baga town in Borno State.
• INEC has declared APC candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki, winner of the Edo State governorship election, which held on Wednesday, September 28.  After the collation of results from the 18 local government areas of Edo state in south-south Nigeria, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled a total of 319,483 votes while his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osagie Ize-Iyamu, polled 253,173 votes.  The new Edo Governor, Obaseki and his deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu, were sworn in amidst fanfare in Benin City on November 12, as the baton of leadership shifted from the former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu.
•The new Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, was crowned on October 23, 2016, as the 40th monarch, to succeed his father, Oba Erediauwa, who joined the ancestors.
• The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Rotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the November 26, 2016 governorship election in Ondo State. According to Prof. Ganiyu Ambali, INEC Returning Officer, Mr. Akeredolu defeated two major opponents, Eyitayo Jegede of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Olusola Oke of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), to clinch victory.
• New York businessman and former reality TV star, Donald Trump  clinched victory over Hillary Clinton on November 8 to become the 45th US president-elect after securing more than the 270 electoral votes needed to win.
• Former Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki died on Monday, November 14, at the National Hospital in Abuja. He died at the age of 93.
• Foremost industrialist and former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi died on November 16.  He died in Lagos at 72.
•Army captured Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa forest.