AHEAD of the July 14, governorship election in Edo State, National Deputy Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Sam Jaja, yesterday, in Benin, accused the Edo State Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, of massive arms build-up.

CALABAR—THREE traditional rulers in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, have petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar and Director of State Security Service in charge of Cross River State, over their alleged kidnap and Police indifference in apprehending the culprits.

FORMER Governor of Edo State and a former PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor, yesterday, denied media reports that he was campaigning for Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the July 14 governorship poll.

An elderly Italian construction engineer was on Monday kidnapped in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State as he was monitoring a road drainage contract by the state government along Bishop Smith Street at about 5:30pm.

Recent controversy sparked off following an exhibition of painting that depicts the genital of South African President, Jacob Zuma at Goodman Gallery , South Africa, has again brought to the fore the power of art as both an instrument of debate, criticism, commentary and social control.

As the nation celebrated 13 years of uninterrupted democracy and one year of President Goodluck Jonathan in office Tuesday, for cross section of Nigerians, it has been mixed feelings on the gains of democracy since the journey began in 1999 and the performance of the present administration so far. Perhaps, what some Nigerians find disturbing is the fact that the political class is already scheming for 2015 when they are yet to feel the impacts of those they elected to power barely a year ago.

EBONYI State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday vowed not to readmit former members who
left the party to contest elections in other political parties in the 2011 April general elections.

Saddened by the rising spate of exam malpractice perpetrated by students during national examinations conducted by examination bodies such as Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), the National Business and Technical Education (NABTEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO), the upper chamber of the National Assembly (Senate), last February, banned the existence of special centres otherwise referred to as ‘miracle centres.’

It will be almost impossible for Nigeria, as an import-dependent economy, to achieve her Vision 20 20-20. The only way to go about making that dream a reality is by cultivating production culture. It is on record that Nigeria imports almost everything – from electronics, to agric produce, to household utensils. Even the most simple things like toothpicks and safety matches are imported when all the facilities required for smooth production are locally available.

Nigeria is a multi-ethnic society of about 140,000,000 people with well over 250 dialects. But sadly, this immensely blessed country has failed to take advantage of her rich endowment in human, cultural and natural resources for the betterment of the people.