PROMINENT lawyers, Prof Itse Sagay, SAN and Mr Lanre Ogunlesi, SAN, have said that there was nothing wrong with the pictures of the President and state governors being hung in the chambers of Chief Judges of the states.

The Federal Government will save about N300 billion annually from importation of wheat through the use of 20 per cent cassava flour in bread production.

…Says additional funds for oil producing states unacceptable
Alhaji Bukar Abbah Ibrahim is a Senator representing Yobe East in the Upper Legislative Chamber. His recent call on the Federal Government to yield to the proposal of the dreaded Islamist sect, otherwise known as Boko Haram by engaging the sect in a dialogue in far away Saudi Arabia, has no doubt sparked off verbal war in some quarters of the country. But speaking with reporters in Abuja, the former Yobe State governor explained the reasons for his position. He also threw light on why the North is opposed to the passage of Petroleum Industry Bill currently before the National Assembly. Excerpts:

THIS, no doubt, is the appropriate note to begin the new year- with prayers for our own country. Not just because of the claim by many that the past year, 2012, was a terrible one. One can’t be sure if there would ever be a year when the whole country, to say nothing of the whole world, would be in agreement that a year has been so good nobody has something to cry about. One cannot deny last year was a hard year for Nigerians. Evidence abound that it was a tough year and up to the last few days, many could still point to incidents that brought tears to their eyes. There were still terrorist killings, unprovoked cowardly attacks that have been the hallmark of life in many parts of the country.

As the New Year begins, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, yesterday, prescribed 10 ways government and the private sector can stimulate the economy this year.

ALHAJI Yunus Sanni Giwa Akiyode, who turns 100 years today, is a reporter’s delight. With a toothy smile always on his aged but fair and handsome face, the former banker still accomplishes feats his age mates and those younger could only dream of.

Today marks the end of the era of service providers contracts for the provision of core Customs responsibilities in Nigeria.

Head Coach of Catalonia side, Johan Cryuff, has listed 10 players from Spanish La Liga leaders Barcelona for the international friendly against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday evening. He has also picked seven players from Espanyol FC, whose ground will host the encounter.

Former chairman, Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, in this interview spoke on the de-registration of political parties, the PDP and his political aspiration in 2015. Excerpts:

“Come o, are these not the dogs they brought in from the United States a few months ago?” asked Okey, a passenger in the Wuse-bound bus as he sighted some sick-looking dogs being led by some policemen along the road.

A senior stockbroker in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. David Adonri, has faulted the House of Representatives over its recommendation that the minimum capital requirement for stockbroking firm be increase to N500 million.

As cyber crime continues to constitute a major threat to the Nigerian Cyber community, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, said his agency has concluded arrangements to collaborate with a Malaysian agency that specialises in cyber crime to tackle the menace in Nigeria.

Former Super Eagles striker, Victor Ikpeba has advised Super Eagles players not to be distracted and forge ahead with their preparations for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

…Says 2012, a very challenging year for Bayelsa
YENAGOA—Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson said Tuesday that the outgone year threw up some of the most difficult challenges for the state.

The flight from Faro to Catalunya lasted 1:30minutes officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Spain led by Head of Chancery, Mr Safiu Olaniyan, Deputy Consul General, Mr. Nze Nnadi, Curtis Aghedo, who is President Nigerian Union in Barcelona, Kingsley Lawal, President Nigerians in Valles and Gbenga Adegoke scribe of Nigerians in Valles, were on hand to receive the team at the magnificent Barcelona International Airport. There were also about 20 Nigerian football supporters who were at the airport to bid the team welcome.