*Says Jonathan is focused on development
In this interview, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Reuben Abati, speaks on the administration’s successes, but, more importantly, on the security situation in the country. Excerpts:

Since 2009, there have been bloodletting in the North on the grounds of Islamizing the country by Jama-’a Ahl al-sunnah li-da’wa wa al-jiha-d, also known as Boko Haram. In this interview, the Bishop, Diocese of Kubwa, Anglican Communion, and National Treasurer of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Right Reverend Duke Akamisoko, speaks on the national insecurity created by the activities of the group and other pertinent issues that need to be addressed if Nigeria is to move forward. Excerpts:

Federal Commissioner for Works and Housing in the General Yakubu Gowon regime, 1966-1975, Alhaji Lateef Olufemi Okunnu, SAN, 80, remains a major name in the building of modern Nigeria. He oversaw the programme for the change-over of traffic from left to right-hand which started in 1969 but became effective on 2 April, 1972 following the recommendations of the Alhaji Babatunde Jose Panel. The octogenarian explains, in this interview, why Nigeria should not celebrate slavery in the name of centenary. Excerpts:

Professor Ango Abdullahi is the face of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF. In this interview, he warns of the consequences of some unguarded staements of a few individuals close to the presidency and insists that President Goodluck Jonathan would not be president in 2015

ALHAJI Lai Mohammed is not new when it comes to criticising Federal Government policies. As the National Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress of the Nigeria, ACN, he ensures his party is a strong opposition voice in the country. In this interview, he says though expectations from the proposed All Progressive Congress, APC, are high, leaders of the merger will not let Nigerians down. He explains that General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, leaders of the ACN and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, respectively, have made sacrifices in furtherance of the merger.
Excerpts:

tuah Ighodalo is the popular Pastor of Trinity House- a mega church in Victoria Island, Lagos. In this candid and revealing interview, Pastor Ighodalo reveals that there is no problem at all in his marriage. He also talks about God, Love, and Politics. He responds to his critics, and speaks on his journey from Redeemed to Trinity House

In this interview with Jimitota Onoyume, the soft spoken Chief of Staff, Government House, Rivers state, Sir Tony Okocha bares his mind on the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state.

Rev.David Ugolor is a Niger Delta activist and the Executive Director of the African Net work For Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ). In this interview with Saturday Vanguard, Ugolor who was arrested and detained over the murder of the Principal Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, condemned what he described as the attempt to use “Abuja magic” to destroy Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, saying that the move was an attempt to ridicule the Niger Delta struggle.

Senator Iyiola Omisore, a former deputy governor of Osun State, was in the Senate from 2003-2011. He is eying the Osun State Government House again, this time as governor. In this interview, Omisore bares his mind on the 2014 governorship election in the state, his gubernatorial ambition, how the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may boycott the election if the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, fails to remove the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, the state as presently run by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the late Bola Ige murder saga, among others.

I came into journalism in 1963 by accident. I needed something doing back then, so I took the job out of survival. My dream was to be a medical doctor. Even ten years after my sojourn in journalism, I was still aiming to go into medicine. Sincerely, l would have left journalism if I had passed chemistry and physics.

Onicha-Ugbo, located in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, was, recently, in the news, following reports of alleged rape of women in the community by Hausa/Fulani herdsmen. Aside this was the report of rancor over the choice of one of its prominent sons as the Odogwu-designate( a traditional administrator).

Governor Isa Yuguda, as someone who had played a strategic role as a bank CEO in two major banks before delving into the murky waters of partisan politics, truly understands the intricacies of managing both ends to ensure the happiness of the people of Bauchi State and, by extension, other Nigerians in his domain. But those who are opposed to every move he makes would not just allow him to sleep well without raising one allegation or the other against him. Last week, the media was awash with the allegation that he was battling to flush out Vice President Namadi Sambo from his comfort zone come 2015. But, in an emotion-laden tone, Yuguda, popularly known as Mallam by his people, in this interview, denies ever contemplating such, describing both President Goodluck Jonathan and his vice, Sambo, as his senior brothers, whom he could not undermine for whatever reason.

Last week, owing to the ill treatment meted out to pensioners in the country, and the corruption in the sector that has resulted to several senior citizens suffering untold hardship, the Nigerian Labour Congress and Civil Society Groups threatened a national strike.

DR JOSEPHINE Obiajulu Okei-Odumakin has lived a better part of her life as an activist. She has traversed, courageously, where even some men fear to tread. She remained consistent without minding the hazards to her person in a society where critical voices are loathed by an unjust system which rewards the crook and punishes the just.
Her consistency and unwavering determination for survival of democracy in Nigeria made Professor Wole Soyinka to describe her as “a tireless fighter whose frail bearing bellies an inner strength and resilience purpose, a veteran of affirmative marches, of crude arrests and detentions, baton charges and tear gas who has lent luster to the struggle for justice and human dignity, who remain an inspiration of men and women, old and young.” She was recently honoured in America with the Woman of Courage award.
In this no-holds- barred interaction, she tells her story.

A famous British actor in the popular sitcom Coronation Street, is rueing the flippant words he uttered in a TV interview recently. He had said in the interview, that whatever happens to us is as a result of our actions either in this world or the previous one. In other words, we deserve whatever we get.

…Reveals how Abacha chased IMF, World Bank out of Abuja
Chief Tom Ikimi is a former Foreign Affairs Minister and one of the leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the forefront of the formation of the All Progressive Congress (APC). In this interview, he speaks on the controversy the issue of registration of the new party has generated. He also speaks on the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. Ikimi notes the criticisms against the late General Sani Abacha under whom he served as minister, saying the former military leader did his best in the upliftment of the economy of the nation contrary to what Nigerians are experiencing today. Excerpts:

…Insists there is ‘squandering of riches’
Since the controversy stirred by her mentoring speech delivered to the graduating students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, late last year, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili spoke extensively last Wednesday during Channels’ TV magazine programme, Sunrise Daily. Here are excerpts from that televised interview