**Nigeria Reads: 93-Year-Old Belgian Diplomat to Face Trial for 1961 Assassination of Patrice Lumumba** In a significant development that has sparked both hope and excitement, a 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat, Etienne Davignon, has been ordered to stand trial for his alleged involvement in the 1961 assassination of Congolese independence icon Patrice Lumumba. This decision marks a major step towards accountability and justice for the Lumumba family, who have long sought closure and vindication. Patrice Lumumba, a key figure in the fight for Congolese independence, was brutally murdered in 1961. His death was a dark chapter in the history of Belgium's colonial past, and the country has been grappling with the consequences ever since. Davignon, a senior Belgian official at the time, is accused of participating in war crimes related to Lumumba's murder. If the case proceeds to trial, he would become the first Belgian official to face justice over the events surrounding Lumumba's death. The decision to pursue the case has been welcomed by Lumumba's family, who see it as a long-overdue reckoning with Belgium's colonial past. "We are all relieved," said Mehdi Lumumba, the independence leader's grandson. "Belgium is finally confronting its history." Davignon, who later served as a vice president of the European Commission, denies all charges and has argued that too much time has elapsed for a fair trial to take place. However, Lumumba's family insists that the passage of time does not diminish the need for accountability. This case is significant not only for the Lumumba family but also for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the world at large. It serves as a reminder that even decades later, those responsible for historical injustices can still be held accountable. In Nigeria, we have our own experiences of colonialism and its lingering impacts. The story of Patrice Lumumba and the struggle for Congolese independence serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-determination, freedom, and the fight against oppression. As the trial of Etienne Davignon unfolds, we can only hope that it will bring closure and justice to the Lumumba family and provide a glimpse into the complexities of colonialism and its aftermath.