2014 has been a good year for Google and the world wide web. This year, according to the Interbrand ranking in October 2014, Google was the second most valuable brand in the world (behind Apple) with a valuation of $107.4 billion; a Millward Brown report from the same year puts the Google brand ahead of Apple’s at #1. This is a no-brainer as everyday we depend on Google to tell us what we need to know, and Nigeria’s user base of at least 35 million smartphone users are not left behind. Here are who we searched for the most in 2014.
People.
The most searched person in Nigeria was Myles Munroe. The evangelist died on November 9, 2014 alongside his wife and 7 others in a private plane crash which stunned Nigerians all over – both Christians and Non-Christians. When the news broke, people took to Google to confirm if the news was true. Others who did not know what the fuss was all about took to Google to find out about the preacher.
Coming in the next three are also icons who left way too soon. Kefee, an award-winning Nigerian female gospel singer and composer who died of lung cancer in a Los Angeles hospital on June 12, 2014; Mrs. Dora Akunyili, a legendary woman who revolutionised Nigeria’s pharmaceutical industry while she was boss of NAFDAC. Her death on 7 June 2014 made the nation stand still. Coming in next is another late icon Joan Rivers and then footballer Juan Mata.
Musicians.
It is no mistake that Davido packed the most awards this year as he also comes on top of the most searched artists in Nigeria. The pop-star whose year has been a slew of successful singles managed to achieve this feat without releasing an album. Coming in next is Phyno whose album ‘No Guts, No Glory’ was met with a lot of positive criticism. The rapper who has been the pacesetter for what Nigerians call indigenous music has been the subject of a lot of hype this year. The next two most searched artists are label mates Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy. Tiwa’s year has been full of controversy right from marriage failure rumours to nude videos while Don Jazzy successfully proved he has the best team by carrying his Mavin Crew along in crafting the most successful singles of 2014. Timaya comes in at number 5.
International Athletes.
Seeing as Juan Mata is number on the most searched person list, it is no surprise that the Manchester United striker is first on this list. The Spanish striker who made a move to Manchester United from Chelsea in January was a subject of great excitement. It can be said that Manchester United rules the internet as the no 2 athlete is also another player who made a move to the English club. Excitable Man Utd fans took to Google as Man U signed Di Maria from Real Madrid. Chilean and Juventus striker Arturo Vidal comes next as the next two positions go to the F1 legend, Michael Schumacher who is recovering from a fatal skiing accident and David Moyes, former Manchester United coach who was ousted for a terrible performance in the 2013/2014 season.
Nigerian Sports Personalities.
Stephen Keshi, the coach Nigerians love to hate easily made the top of this list. The coach whose performance at the African Cup of Nations was exceptional in 2013 lost the faith of Nigerians due to the shaky start of the Eagles during the Group stage of the 2014 World Cup. His year was full of controversy as he failed to have the Eagles qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations and was a subject of much sacking and reinstatement. Ikechukwu Uche, the Super Eagles and Villareal striker came second as he had a good start in Villareal in January. Coming in next are Ejike Uzoenyi, Musa Yahaya and Umar Zango.
Nollywood.
Nollywood director, Amaka Igwe who has made a lot of iconic movies was laid to rest in April this year. She in Enugu after a brief ill health. Emem Isong who got married in a quiet affair comes next as Director turned social critic Charles Novia comes next as he gained popularity for his scathing remarks over personalities like Chika Ike, Seyi Shay which gained him attention. Coming in next are Uti Nwanchukwu and Omoni Oboli.
Who Is?
People wanted to know who these people are. Coming up first is teenage Nobel Peace Prize winner and girl rights activist Malala Yousafzai. Coming up next is Kefee who featured on number 2 on the most searched people list. Number 3 is Shekau, the Boko Haram leader who is always in the news for his threats to Nigerian citizens and being dead one day and turning up on another. Phyno Fino who is number 2 on the most searched Artist List comes up on 4. Really shows that he conquered this year. The last is terrorist sect Boko Haram who had a good run this year as they took over whole towns in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States of Nigeria and planted their flags declaring those places their caliphates. Fortunately, most of those towns had been recovered by the Nigerian military.
