The forum observed that the use of military force in the region has remained counter-productive, as was evident in the response by militants in the recent Cordon and Search operation by the Joint Task Force on the Niger-Delta and urged the Federal Government to order a demilitarization of the area. It, nevertheless, welcomed the declaration of ceasefire by both the militants and the JTF and joined those calling for a return to true federalism in the country.

GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday assured the people of the state of even provision and distribution of infrastructure across communities in the state that would make life worth living.

As part of the ongoing restructuring of justice system in Lagos State, the state government has introduced Saturday as a day of business of the court in every Magisterial district in the state.

Ekiye said the visit of President Musa Yar’Adua to Bayelsa last week was “indeed a pragmatic step towards assuring and ensuring fundamental tackling of the problems of the region.

Mr. Mofe, who said there was need to re-invigorate their work ethics for it to be beneficial to the entire Itsekiri oil bearing communities that make upn the council disclosed that the council is lagging behind in project execution as there are still 2007/2008 projects that have not been touched and appealed to every member of the council, no matter ones’ status to deliver on every assigned job.

Mudiaga-Odje, who fielded questions from newsmen in Ughelli, said the decision of previous governments were binding on incoming governments, adding that “policy decisions taken shall be ones which will be consistent, dependable and which should be upheld for good administration of good governance.

They also lamented that the natural drainages in the capital city which could have helped minimize the problem have been turned into dump sites by some unscrupulous persons.

Prof. Mubuoghare stated that ASUU and the Federal Government have been on negotiating table for two and half years, saying that during the period, both parties presented their positions on issues at stake.He said about six months ago, the Federal Government set up a team, led by renowned economist, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, to negotiate with ASUU, where an agreement was reached.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi, who disclosed the new academic arrangement at a special thanksgiving service for Bishop Chinasa Nwosui in Port Harcourt yesterday, said inadequate staffing of quality teachers in secondary schools in the state was having effect on children in tertiary institutions, stressing it was necessary to check the drift.

The youths, who were reacting to a publication by Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in Vanguard that it had affirmed Idehen’s nomination, distanced Bini youths from the publication, asserting that as “far as the exalted office of the representative of Niger Delta Development Commission is concerned, no strangers or visitors either based in Edo or Ondo State can decide for the Binis.