Congress had long before prohibited Black militia, and administrative rules prohibited Black service in the standing forces. But in the War of 1812, Captain Perry’s crews could not be filled without arming Blacks. “Veterans” of the war were entitled (apparently by Congressional act) to land bounties on the public domain.

NIGERIA’S Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Abdullah Aminchi said, yesterday, that it was doctors attending to ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua who had denied Nigerians access to their President in his Jeddah hospital and not Saudi authorities. He said he visited the President last Saturday and that “he is really feeling better now.”

THE Action Congress, AC, in Oyo State has condemned alleged unfair display of might against some innocent handicapped civil servants who were relieved of their jobs by Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.

He should put the power vested in his office to good and immediate use. If other Nigerians, including members of the National Assembly, governors and traditional rulers have tried to no avail to reach the President and know something of his health, it should not be said that the Acting President equally failed.

Austin Jay Jay Okocha’s coach during his playing days at Eintracht Frankfurt, Dragoslav Stepanovic has said that he was disappointed that the Nigeria Football Federation did not invite him for interview, despite sending his credentials.