The spate of hostage taking in Nigeria has shot the country into the number four position in global ranking, according to the American Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja is again witnessing season two of its lock down. The first came in the wake of Boko Haram’s bombing of the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. Worse, last Thursday, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG, commenced its 17th session with the theme focused on inviting foreign investors to the country.

IT is challenging for me to write about my father, Hilary Nmerengwa Isiguzo, in the past. It is more frustrating still not feeling that he is dead. I returned to the house after his passing, at 82, expecting a surge of emotions that would have pressed the message home – there was none.

Recently, the School of Fine and Applied Arts of Delta State University, Abraka stormed Lagos with an exhibition tagged Visual Symphony, an exhibition of the works of lecturers and PhD students at Quintessence Gallery, Falamo, Lagos. During the exhibition Sunday arts caught up with the Head of Department of the school, Prof. Grace Ojie and she bared her mind on a wide range of issues concerning arts. Excerpts:

Too much inequality can harm the efficient operation of an economy…excessive inequality can have two perverse consequences: first, the very wealthy lobby for favours. Contracts and bailouts that distort markets; second growing inequality undermines the ability of the poorest to invest in their own education…These factors mean that high inequality can generate further high inequality and eventually poor economic growth.

Akpan Ekpo is a professor of economics and the Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM). He speaks on the 2012 budget benchmark of $70 per barrel, increase in population from over 140 million to 168 million within a short period, the unemployment crisis in the economy and what government should do to diversify the economy into non-oil export sector. Excerpt:

Stephen Keshi got his first baptism of fire yesterday as head coach of the Super Eagles inside the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City as his wards could only manage a barren draw with The Zebras of Botswana.

APOSTLE Silas Otop is the general overseer of Practical Christian Glorious Ministries in Oworonshoki area of Lagos. In this interview with OLAYINKA LATONA, the Apostle bares his mind on some national issues and why gospel ministers should not partake in politics.

UJUMADU, Awka THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has threatened a renewed showdown with the federal government over alleged non- implementation of all components of the 2009 agreement.

Deeply concerned by terrorism believed to have been orchestrated by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, the Federal Government is banking on foreign help to stem the tide.