Presidential aspirant in the forthcoming election and former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) has described the passing away of Oba Iyiola Oyewale Matanmi III, the Ataoja of Osogbo as very sad, saying the death has left a big vacuum in the annals of history in Yorubaland in general and Osogbo in particular.

Apparently convinced that a united opposition was the only way of taking on the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and giving them a run for their money in the 2011 elections, elder statesman, Chief Anthony Enahoro has initiated a move for the opposition to deliberate and present a consensus candidate in the forthcoming polls.

He was the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003, a time when the legislature made useful contributions pursuant to strengthening democracy, insisting on due separation of powers. In this chat, he talks about the aspiration of President Goodluck Jonathan and brings new insight into the debate on zoning.

NATIONAL Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture an Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), weekend, warned that any attempt to exclude workers in the construction sector from the new minimum wage through legislation, would not be accepted.

A non-profit organisation, Light-Up Foundation, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Council, has concluded arrangements to bring unemployed youths together, identify with their skills and link them up with organisations that might need them for employment.

Ahead of today’s National Convention of the Action Congress (AC) in Lagos, Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, has described the purported plan of his party to merge with AC as false and an attempt to cause confusion in AD.

Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale, is Lagos State chairman of the Action Congress (AC). He is a Lawyer, seasoned administrator, diplomat and grassroot politician, who prior to his emergence as the state Chairman of the party, served as Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations as well as Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Matters to the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu

SINCE Orji assumed office his greatest problem which had attracted hatred and criticisms from the people was his close relationship with Kalu who many allegedly see as a problem in the state. His overbearing intrusion in Orji’s government was so glaring that on several occasions they disagreed on issues and appointments of aides.

The main issue for determination in the above case is the Nigeria law in item 15 (b) of the third schedule of the 1999 constitution which provides as follows: “The commission shall have power to register political parties in accordance with the provisions of this constitution and an Act of the National Assembly”.

The great Russian playwright and short story writer, Anton Chekhov, could have died unknown if he remained a medical doctor all through his life. Chekhov is universally known today because of his plays and short stories, ranking alongside Guy de Maupassant as the greatest short story writer who ever lived.

The Musical Society of Nigeria, MUSON, has concluded plans on its Muson Festival 2010 which has been billed to kick off with a Brazilian Samba. The programme according to the chairman of the occasion, Bashorun J.K Randle is in collaboration with the Brazilian Consulate General bringing in eight multi-talented Brazilian musicians and samba dancers who would thrill the audience.

Cross River State gov ernment has accepted to jointly supervise and monitor Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) projects undertaken in the state to ensure they are executed to specification.

THE University of Benin (UNIBEN) and a United States-based company, Goldenvale Consult, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on reorganisation of the security apparatus of the university.

The Medan Teneke faction of the PDP in Adamawa State has taken the Murtala Nyako faction to court challenging the legality of the continuation of Kugama-led executive in office in violation of the provisions of the PDP constitution.

When I heard the news that Polytechnic graduates would soon be flushed out of the Nigerian Civil Service, my mind was in doubt if this country is sincerely committed to its developmental goals. Why should a country map out goals for development and afterwards erect strictures to stall their attainment? To discount products of technical education and still hope to achieve the vision 20:2020 is nothing but tomfoolery.