Our governments have spent billions of naira over time to promote a positive image for Nigerians everywhere. Regrettably, the popular perception of the Nigerian character remains that of greed, self-interest and other such ingenious criminal escapades. The promoted brand of “Good People, Great Nation” never really took off, and it has become clear that neither catchy slogans nor sexy packaging can change public perception of what is intrinsically a bad product!

…as profit taking depreciates NSE value by N16bn…
Trading activities in Federal Government Bonds listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange increased by 286.8 per cent last.

Last week, the Minister of State for Finance disclosed that the Federal Government uncovered 45,000 ghost workers from 215 Ministries, Departments and Agencies under the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS).

ORGANISED Labour in the nation’s Oil and Gas Industry has called on the National Assembly to ensure that Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, before it comes out in a way it will be mutually beneficial to Nigeria and the International Oil Companies, IOCs, operating in Nigeria.

GHOST workers are the latest buzz words for governments. Yerima Ngama, Minister of State for Finance sounded triumphant when he announced that 45,000 ghost workers who earned more than N100 billion, had been discovered on the pay roll of the Federal Government after auditing 251 Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs. There are still 321 MDAs to be audited.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has adjourned till March 4, 2013, for the proper arraignment of Mr. Fidelis Anosike and his brother, Noel, charged with stripping the assets of Daily Times Nigeria with his company, Folio Communications Limited.

Ado Ekiti – GOVERNOR Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, yesterday said All Progressive Congress, APC, aimed at promoting true federalism with its attendant features of decentralisation and devolution of powers, allowing all parts of the country to feel a sense of belonging and ownership.

Nigeria Inter Religious Council, NIREC, has called on government to fish out those responsible for the killing of health workers in Kano State and prosecute them accordingly.

With over 5.2 million registered Retirement Savings Account, RSA, holders and 200,000 retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, Pension Fund Operators, PenOp, in this interview, are of the opinion that the recapitalisation exercise that ended last year has strengthened the industry.

DISTRESSED indigenes of Diebiri, an Ijaw community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, weekend, issued a 14-day ultimatum to Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, and threatened to shut down the company’s operations.