A sharp decline in bad debts propelled South Africa’s FirstRand to a 22 percent jump in full-year profit, the latest sign banks in Africa’s top economy are recovering from a recession-driven credit strain.

This week, the first decade of the terrorist attack on the twin towers (those veritable symbols of American economic power and of triumphal capitalism), has been commemorated in the United States, and around the world.

The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom,has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to giving necessary support to potential investors in the country. Ortom gave the assurance when he received Mr Romeo Barberopoulos, Chairman, Export Promotion Group of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) in his office in Abuja.

THE confusion caused by two contradictory results which West African Examinations Council (WAEC) released in respect of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE May/June 2011 was due to lack of communication, so declared the Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike.

The world over, labour and industrial sector is central to the government’s agenda. Little wonder countries like the United States of America, France, Germany and the rest of the developed countries do not toy with the industrial sector of the economy because of the important roles the labour sector plays in the attainment of the government’s agenda and development of any nation.

THE concept of using violence on innocent and defenceless people as a bargaining chip, especially over religious and secular issues is novel to Nigeria. Security agents are now faced with a massive challenge combating non-state actors that can be essentially classified as invisible enemies with no defined leadership, rational and plausible agenda.

SINCE taking over mantle of leadership as the 10th Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Adetokunboh Babatunde Sofoluwe has ensured the sustenance of the institution as “a university of first choice” in all ramifications.

ALHAJI Lateef Femi Okunnu, SAN, was a federal commissioner for works under the administration of Gen. Yakubu Gowon. A notable Lagosian, he led Lagos State delegation to the 2005 political reform conference during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. In this interview, he spoke on the crisis in the judiciary, particularly Justices Kastina-Alu/ Ayo Salami saga; the role of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and the way forward.

Stakeholders in the judiciary have continued to clamour for President Goodluck Jonathan to revert his earlier decision of suspending the Appeal Court President, Justice Ayo Salami, pending the outcome of the suit he filed before Federal High Court in the interest of Justice, rule of law and democracy.

The dearth of books is a major contributor to the decline in education in the country. The rare sight of books has even created strangeness between books and people.