For many years, railway transportation in the country was dead. Almost buried! But it is obvious from the recent achievements of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) that some revival has taken place. And rail transportation is breathing again.

It is a good development. There is nothing wrong in dialoguing especially in democracy, but my fear is that some of the delegates going to the conference may not see themselves as federalists. I want to urge them to see themselves as federalists and not as regional leaders or militants who want to get things they want 100 per cent.

It is a welcome, visionary and positive step taken by President Goodluck Jonathan at this time in the history of our country. Besides the seeming resentment in some quarters, I am happy that the vast majority of Nigerians are embracing it and willing to participate.

The authorities of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, ably led by the Honourable Minister, have been working very hard to rid the nation’s capital of undesirable elements. Ever since that great friend of poor people, Malam El-Rufia, formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, became Minister, they have been demolishing homes and shops, as well as the dwellings of poor people, which they call shanties – as if any really destitute person can afford palatial mansions. Malam El-Rufai is now a leading member of the All Progressive Alliance, APC, the opposition party – some of whose governors have also been demolishing buildings like the demon.

A FORMER presidential aspirant, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, says principalities and powers were out to frustrate the proposed National Conference, saying that without the confab, the dream of a new Nigeria would remain bleak.