In the words of some Second Republic politicians, who served with Saraki, the Oloye would be sorely missed because he was irreplaceable.

THE Ovie (traditional ruler) of Idjerhe (Jesse) kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Erhikevwe I, whose palace was razed by irate villagers, Tuesday, is reportedly taking refuge in Asaba, the state capital.

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, yesterday approved the award of contracts to the tune of N290.34billion in the various sectors of the nation with the Niger Delta region taking the highest chunk of N98.58 billion in the areas of roads and bridge constructions, power generation as well as land reclamation.

KIDNAPPERS of Mrs. Marian Onoyume, wife of Vanguard correspondent in Rivers State, Mr. Jimitota Onoyume, who was abducted, Monday, at Eku in Delta State, yesterday, reduced the ransom for her release from N10 million to N5 million.

Long before the phenomenon of godfathers in politics came into national consciousness and controversy, Dr. Olusola Saraki had turned the phenomenon into a successful pastime in his native Kwara State. It is to his credit, with the irritating exception of the present governor, Alhaji Ahmed Abdulfatah, that all other civilian governors in the history of Kwara State were handpicked by him. Even Abdulfatah who was elected against his desire, fastidiously lays claim to Saraki’s political parentage.

Debate on the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) began, yesterday, in the House of Representatives, with the emerging pattern in the contributions of members indicating regional divide.

A 24-year-old man, Simon Michael, has been sentenced to three months imprisonment, without an option of fine, by a Federal High Court in Lagos after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of unlawfully dealing in cannabis sativa (marijuana).

THE Eghare-Aja (community leader) of Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Wellington Ojoror, alleged to have been kidnapped on Tuesday in Warri, has denied that he was abducted.

Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, must have ignorantly incurred the wrath of the Presidency, following his insistence that Soku/Oluasiri oil wells should not be taken away from him and given to neighbouring Bayelsa State.

Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has said the state awarded contracts worth about N28 billion for the construction of 32 rural roads.