Dr Simon Imuekheme is one leader in Edo State who assisted in the stabilization of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led administration from its inception in 2008. He was Permanent Secretary, Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government until November 9, 2012, when the State Executive Council was dissolved. Following his accomplishments in the civil service, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) honoured him.

Clark’s portrait of Col. M.C. Moorhouse is that of exploitative manipulator who uses Chief Dore Numa to perpetrate land-ownership atrocities against the natives of Warri. He is the one who rewards Chief Dore Numa with medals and portion of land and political power to intimidate and deprive people of their lands. Col. M.C. Moorhouse is a satanic agent who is responsible for the land-related problems in Warri. Through manipulation, Ogbe people are driven away from the headland for the purpose of building offices, barracks etc. He is a disgusting character.

The inability of government to persuade the people to embrace its policies is not new in Nigeria. During the Babangida days, the then Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh thought he could redress the situation through what became known as ‘letter to my countrymen’- a write-up by the Minister to his fellow citizens to change their perception of government.

Many months ago, some of our senators proposed a leisure centre for elderly citizens. The move was applauded by some people, but in the piece I wrote on it, I said it was a good thing that the senators thought of something to put more zest in the lives of the elderly, but that in a country with dismal healthcare like ours, and where the majority of the elderly are poor, it wasn’t a leisure centre that the majority of them need, but rather, qualitative care in all areas of their lives.

I, DR. Peter Otunuya Odili, became the elected Governor of the new Rivers on the 29th day of May, 1999, after a well contested and won election against a strong opponent Chief Ebenezer Isokariari who was the then immediate past Secretary to the State Military Government under Gen. Sani Abacha regime.

*Other prominent Nigerians speak on the Centenary celebrations.

C E N T E N A R Y: We’re celebrating the failure of a nation – Odumakin

Mr. Yinka Odumakin is the spokesperson of the Save Nigeria Group, SNG.

In 100 hundred years, we have become an example of the ruination of a nation with a bright prospect. At amalgamation and even at independence, Nigeria had bright prospects for the black race and for Africa but 100 years down the line because of the mismanagement and misrule of our past leaders, the country today is a sham. We are lagging behind in every sphere and all global indices now. The country is being robbed by insecurity – today 70 per cent of our people live below poverty line; all our infrastructures have collapsed at 100.

Christian Chukwu, a former Head Coach of the Super Eagles, has told the team that they would have themselves to blame if they underestimated the Stallions of Burkina Faso in today’s AFCON final.

Last week we argued, among other things, that the present ruling elite who constitute less than one percent of the Nigerian population are unwilling and incapable of moving the country from the precarious position it is at the moment to a better place in the future. Keep in mind that this group, which includes top key players in politics, the military and business, controls over ninety percent of the country’s wealth.

We had to jettison universal banking and we said that banks should be structured such that they can protect depositors money. So if you are a bank sitting on depositors money, you shouldn’t have the means by which money travels into your subsidiaries- that is not deposit taking.

Indications emerged, yesterday, that the National Assembly (NASS) might jettison the review of the 1999 Constitution as a result of the row that has rocked two issues on agenda: state creation and local government autonomy.

There are so many issues one has to grapple with daily, some more important than others. By issues I refer to the difficulties, problems and even challenges we all have to contend with. They affect our health, finances and general outlook and this past week my mind has been on just one issue that I consider the biggest of all.

It was a fitting start. A celebration of togetherness! Political differences between some former heads of state and President Goodluck Jonathan were temporarily set aside last Monday when they joined the president to kick off the centenary celebration at the banquet hall of the presidential Villa.

The scintillating young singer that brought us Despicable me has shot the video of his new single Omoge which would be part of his album All about the Finnest.

Mr. Abimbola Olayinka,Managing Director/CEO of Resort Savings and Loans (RSL) Plc, and President of Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN), in this interview spoke on reforms of the mortgage sector, plans by RSL to recapitalise and the proposed Liquidity Facility Company being spearheaded by MBAN to deepen the mortgage sector.

The United States embassy has launched the 2013 Black History Month with the screening on Monday, of the film “Django”, a 2012 American epic western film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film which parades star actors and actresses such as Jamie Fox, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson, was screened at the Ozone Cinemas, Lagos. Black History Month is regarded as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans to the growth of the United States of America.