THE recent commissioning of Abia Specialist and Diagnostic Hospital, Umuahia, which was the first of its kind in the South East zone is already achieving its purpose with patients trooping down there to receive one renal treatment or the other.

THE Federal Government has raised alarm that the economic opportunities in African maritime industry are being threatened by the rising insecurity in the continent’s waters, calling on littoral states to defend their maritime sector against criminals for exploitation of the resources.

OWERRI—Angry reactions have started trailing the legalisation of abortion by Imo State Government, as many people were seen Wednesday, discussing what they described as an obnoxious law.

Former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, has warned controversial businessman and self-appointed Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leader in Ogun State and the South-West zone, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, not to drag his name into his (Kashamu’s) “messy political battle,” with former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George and other credible PDP leaders in the South-West.

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State yesterday called for immediate review of the Nigerian Army regulations and the civil service rules dealing on retirement age.

THE alleged dismissal of over 30 oil workers of Lamnalco Nigeria Limited in the last six months has pitched the company against a militant group in Niger Delta, Coastal Revolutionary Forces, CRF.

Dr. Abduljhalil Tafawa-Balewa is a son of First Republic Prime Minister of Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Abduljhalil, a medical doctor, who holds a PhD in Nuclear chemistry and spent 49 of his 56 years outside the country, in this interview asserted that President Goodluck Jonathan has renewed confidence in the country through repair of infrastructure and empathy to northern interests and the dignity of women. He especially commended Dr. Jonathan’s affirmative action on women, which he said has promoted women to the highest level of governance as never before. Excerpts:

…urges Orubebe to expedite action on repair work
PORT HARCOURT—Deputy Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Leyii Kwanee, has blamed last Sunday’s gunmen attack on the state’s Sport Commissioner, Fred Igwe, on the deplorable state of the East West road.

THE Federal Government has concluded plans to designate Ocean Marine Tankers as a national shipping line following the application it received from the company.

Lagos State Government, yesterday, said it terminated its concession agreement with Lekki Concession Company, LCC, the concessionaire handling the 49.63 kilometer Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway, “to save motorists from paying exorbitant toll tariff on the ever busy road.”