THE multi-million naira 090 analogue cellular gateway built by the defunct General Ibrahim Babangida administration for the South Eastern region in the early 90s is now rotting away.

Chief Oluwole Awolowo was definitely not a saint. He never had a chance. He was expected to be a “rascal”, a word freely used beyond and beside its real meaning, way back in our grapple with the English language in Yorubaland.

Today, both Christians and non-Christians all over the world are in this season celebrating Easter. How one celebrates Easter will vary from man to man, from family to family and also from people to people. However, no matter how one celebrates the season it becomes irrelevant if one does not truly know why he or she is celebrating.

The world’s acclaimed biggest singing talent reality TV show “The X Factor” which has been rocking Europe and the Americas has finally berthed in Africa, with Nigeria scoring the first, courtesy of the leading telecommunications company, Globacom, who has even gone a step further in offering a whooping N24 million as the star prize for the ultimate winner of the show.

Experience, they say is the best teacher. Guided by that principle, I got myself prepared for the trip to Algeria despite the short notice. I must refresh your mind, in case you have forgotten that I was a victim of ignorance (maybe innocence, if you hear my gist) in Addis Ababa the last time I travelled to Maputo in 2011.

Following the record-breaking year of 2012, AUDI AG has posted a successful start to 2013: In January, the company sold around 111,750 automobiles worldwide, an increase of 16.3 percent and testimony to clear growth in all regions of the world. The successful midsize model lines A4 and Q5 made a substantial contribution to this growth. Deliveries rose strongly in China at 38.5 percent. In the USA (+7.5 percent) and Europe (+8.6 percent), too, January deliveries topped the figures from the prior-year month.

I first met Chinua Achebe in 1961 at Makerere, Kampala. His novel, Things Fall Apart, had come out two years before. I was then a second year student, the author of just one story, Mugumo, published in Penpoint, the literary magazine of the English Department. At my request, he looked at the story and made some encouraging remarks.

The Organisation For the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) has honoured Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles’ Head Coach, and Prof. Damas Nwoko who is a sculpture and painter, for excellence.

Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, NSC, Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that Super Eagles 1-1 draw with Kenya’s Harambee Stars last Saturday in Calabar had nothing to do with the caliber of players used.

The nomination process continues for another week to accommodate showcasing more faces in Nollywood. We have showcased the new faces in Nollywood for the first two weeks, now we continue with established names to make their entry into the game.

The Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola has assured that the 13.5 kilometre BRT lane extension from Mile 12 to Ikorodu Town would be completed by the end of next year. On completion the extension would bring the total length of BRT lane, from CMS to Ikorodu town to 35 kilometres.

Since 2002 when the Federal Government began the process of privatisingNigerian Telecommunications, NITEL, things have not remained the same in the organisation. Across the states in the Nigerian federation, NITEL facilities are wasting away.

Condolences have continued to pour-in for the late Chief Oluwole Awolowo’s as some governors, senators and the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, among others yesterday mourned the death of the scion of the dynasty.

Any contact with Ibe Christogonus Chidiebere will definitely leave you with a positive impression following his perspective on socio-economic issues. The confidence he exudes on issues bothering on leadership and crime prevention tells us he knows his onion. A few days ago he was Vanguard Youthful Vibes and he tells about this unique passion. Excerpts:

Former Nigerian sprinter, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi is in the centre of the storm here in Warri, following her role in the alleged supply of fake kits to the Nigerian team participating in the maiden African Youth Athletics Championships.