Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has urged other members of the House to scrutinise properly the 2012 budget presented by the state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola and promptly approve it to enable residents begin to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

The Delta Government has invited investors from the UK, China, India and other countries to exploit the abundant business opportunities at the Koko Free Trade Zone.

Aso Savings and Loans Plc, a mortgage finance bank has said that it intends to raise N5billion from the capital market, as it declares a profit before tax of N1.9billion in its 2010/11 financial reports.

The Managing Director of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, Mr Gabriel Amuchi, an engineer, in this interview with Favour Nnabugwu in Akwa Ibom spoke on the palliative works on the nation’s roads in readiness for the festive season. Excerpts

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Canadian Government has announced plans to promote Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, and Youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

IN France, President Nicholas Sarkozy has taken over the leadership of European affairs through the EU. His command performance role in the NATO bombing of Ghaddaffi’s Libya and his offer of assistance to help Nigeria overcome her security challenges over Boko Haram are all seen in Paris as an attempt to shore up his dwindling poll rating for the presidential battle coming up next year.

A GREATER part of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s life was full of drama and the man himself filled and electrified his stage in a way only he could. Born into one of the wealthiest families at that time, with onomatopoeic names that evoked awe, he brought panache to whatever he did.

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, declined to order the State Security Service, SSS, to release Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume from its custody, though it struck out the two-count criminal charge preferred against the embattled lawmaker by the security agency.

As part of its commitment to reach the bankable level, Enterprise Bank Limited said it has started working on strategies that would enable it dominate the retail segment of the market.

Surely ,The problem of youth unemployment in Kwara State is one the administration of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is said to have effectively tackled since its inception.

CIVIL society organisations across the country have urged the Federal Government to attach the removal of the fuel subsidy to the argument for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, as proof of its commitment to the development of the industry and the economy at large.

THE annual Chief J.K. Randle Olympic dinner in commemoration of the 55th anniversary of the Nigerian Olympic Team to the 1956 Olympic Games held in Melbourne, Australia, will hold on Tuesday December 13, at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Standard Chartered Bank rating has been upgraded by Standard & Poor ((S&P) from A+ to AA, thus making it three rating agencies that have rated the institution since the financial crisis.

THE Senate Committee on Power has commended the Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, for his “tenacity of purpose and commitment to the common good.”

A new facility that could protect valuables such documents, certificates, jewellery and other precious possessions from fire outbreaks and theft has been introduced into the Nigerian market.