THERE are strong indi-cations that dockworkers plan to shut down ports operations nationwide by Thursday over delay by terminal operators to review their conditions of service six months after the subsisting one elapsed.

The most conclusive lesson of economic theories over the past three centuries is that free markets, when allowed to operate within the norms of fairness to all market participants, lead to enhanced growth in the national economy. Economic growth is the time tested and universally accepted understanding that individual and collective economic well being is necessary to measure the welfare of a nation.

LAURENT Gbagbo faces growing confrontation with foreign peacekeepers as the United Nations, yesterday, rejected his demand that they leave Ivory Coast, in the tense aftermath of an election he insists he won and the outside world says he lost.

Stakeholders in the Nigerian Tea Industry on Thursday began deliberations on the development of a national policy on tea at a one-day forum in Abuja The stakeholders, from the private and public sectors, are deliberating on a document that would facilitate the formulation of a draft tea policy.

THE National Assembly, in an obvious bow to public anger, weekend, promised to cut its salaries and other perks of office for 2011, by over thirty percent.

The Lagos State government has commenced the issuance of Title Deeds to allotees of properties in the State housing estates and Lagos Building Investment Corporation (LBIC).

As Nigerians await the next congress of the Confederation of African Football in Cairo, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari has called for total support for the country’s nominee for election into the executive committee of the body, Alhaji Ibrahin Galadima.

Cost of funds in the interbank money market and exchange rate of the naira would rise further this week, says Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria

The Central of Nigeria (CBN) has threatened to impose severe sanction on banks for non-compliance with its directive on offsite ATM.

OVER $10 billion is transferred to Nigeria annually through First Bank / Western Union Money Transfer, the Isekhure of Benin, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure has disclosed in Benin.

Board of directors and shareholders of insurance companies have declined to allow chief executives of the companies to assume full executive powers to run the companies as they have clearly designated them as Managing Directors and not chief executive officers.

SEVERAL recent reports, especially by some prominent foreign consultancy firms, have called attention to the good economic news about Africa. In particular, those reports underline that the region has significant business opportunities.

IT was a rainy day and the driver of the commercial bus was savouring the music coming out of the bus sound system. Then the music was interrupted by the presenter as he read the news of the day. But what caught the attention of most passengers was the report that the Adamu Ciroma-led PDP Northern caucus had after many days of politicking eventually picked former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku as the consensus candidate for the North.

THE festive period is special for the police. It shows in the number of roadblocks mounted to extort money and cause further inconveniences for road users.

IT was an exercise reminiscent of the demolition of the chaotic Oshodi Market-cum- bus-stop in January 2009 by men of the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement Unit). It was a massive operation which sent all undesirable elements within Oshodi and environs packing and ensured the return of sanity in the area.