The sad story of Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo brings back to the fore the tragic situation of Nigeria’s negative socio-political development, better known as the “indigene-settler” syndrome.

THE carved wooden idol of Amadioha in my late grandfather’s bedroom was an attempt to conjure the image and presence of the almighty God. My grandfather and his generation captured and appreciated the overwhelming power of God from the imaginary power of the wooden totem

A group of ex-militants in the Niger Delta, operating under the umbrella of “Forum for Peace in the Niger Delta,” has appealed to the Federal Government to review upwards the amount of money it allocated to states in the region affected by the recent flood disaster in the country.

It is so unfortunate that there has been so much ignorant carping and malicious tittle-tattling about the report of the Petroleum Revenue Task Force chaired by Malam Nuhu Ribadu, both failings arising from a deliberate attempt to individualize what was actually group work, a mischievous attempt to politicize one report out of three, and to smuggle into an emergent grand web of conspiracy, elements of blackmail, mischief and outright opportunism.

My introduction to economic reform in my country really began in 2000 when, at the invitation of President Obasanjo, I took a leave of absence from my job at the World Bank to return to Nigeria for six months to serve as his Economic Adviser. My remit was very specific: advise the president on how to manage Nigeria’s debt so that the country could begin the process of seeking and obtaining debt relief from its largely Western group of official creditors, all members of the Paris Club.

THE remains of the former Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina were yesterday interred in his Felele residence according to Islamic rites. He died early yesterday in a private hospital in Lagos having battled fruitlessly with diabetes.

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Apapa chapter, has raised concern over the inconsistencies in government’s policies, saying that it is stifling the expected growth in the manufacturing sector.

Every American knows there is an American dream. Party affiliations are made along this dream. Every so often the America Presidents remind the people of the American dream. The dream is people centered and people oriented. This over the years has fired every American to hope for the best and be assured that the government is there to cater for his best interest.

The federal government is to focus more on developmental projects in Lagos and across the country which will include bridges and roads.

Powerful cartel reaping off the fortune of the nation in the oil sector, appears to be losing the fight to halt their prosecution, as Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will today arraign five more of suspects over the looting of over N5.4 billion under the guise of fuel supply.

The British Deputy High Commission, Mr Mike Purves, has said the trade relation between UK and Nigeria went up from N700.83 billion ($4.5 billion) in 2010 to N845 billion ($5.4 billion) in 2011. Purves said this during the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Day celebration at the ongoing Lagos International Trade Fair.

As more new domestic airlines are expected to start their operations in Nigeria soon, a former Secretary-General of African Airlines Association, AFRAA, Mr. Nick Fadugba has said that instead of allowing new airlines into the aviation industry, the Federal Government should consolidate the existing domestic carriers saying that, that was the practise all over the world.

ALL is set for the inauguration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole for a second term in office at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, today.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina, is a delight to listen to any day and anywhere. At the recently held African Green Revolution Forum in Arusha, Tanzania, he was at his best again. After his presentation, he granted audience to JIMOH BABATUNDE for interview on the reforms taking place in the sector.

About one month ago, the Central Bank of Nigeria published the names of 113 loan defaulters to the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, which, again, has been generating heated argument among Nigerians. Vanguard sought to understand the rationale behind the use of the approach.