THE University of Benin is unique in several ways. From its setting in the cultural milieu that borrows extensively from the ancient Benin Kingdom to its location that makes it a melting point for the various ethnic nationalities that surround the city, it has famed itself as a centre of academic endeavours with strong alumni to show for its efforts.

THE times we are going through have many uncertainties dogging them. These are no ordinary times. At no time in our lives – in peacetime – have so many security people been deployed on internal operations, in so many parts of the country, at the same time.

AN end to the strike is long over due. It has taken this long to reach an agreement because government under-estimated the anger in the land, which it must have realised runs deeper than the increase in fuel price. Government needed to deal with that anger quickly instead of the various excuses that it is making about the increase.

IS there a prize for policemen who gun down unarmed civilians? What motivates the police to shoot unarmed, peaceful protesters? These questions are not new. We are askingA them again because there have been no answers.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has his unique ways of expressing challenges Nigeria faces. If we believe him, he will leave us wallowing in the hopelessness of situations.

EXTRAORDINARY times call for extraordinary moves. The House of Representatives seemingly understood that by holding a session last Sunday to mediate on the fuel subsidy crisis.

CRIMINALS are gaining space in our democracy. They are acquiring the usual rights available to law-abiding citizens in their avowed commitment to crimes of the highest order – murder, arson, rebellion, in other words terrorism. On the sides of the agitations against the new price of petrol, attacks against Nigerians of eastern origin have continued unabated.

GOVERNMENT must have planned for the backlash of the hike in the price of petrol. However, its responses so far show a low appreciation of the economic status of Nigerians, the few exceptions being those who live off inexhaustible government largesse at the expense of others.

GOVERNMENT still under estimates the anger of Nigerians on the new price of petrol. The responses have remained the same, they have failed to address the questions Nigerians are asking about the new price of petrol, a critical product for the Nigerian economy.

PEOPLE anxious to praise President Goodluck Jonathan’s steps in tackling the recalcitrant security situations round the country have rated a mere increase in security operations in 15 local government areas to state of emergency. Nothing can be further from the truth.

SUBSIDY on petroleum products will define 2012. It does not matter if it is removed today or tomorrow. Or even if it is not removed. Fears persist that government has found a niche in its pendulous position on subsidy.

DOES anyone still remember that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, is on strike? The strike is almost a month old. All public universities are shut. Nobody is talking to ASUU, nor is ASUU shifting.