Alhaji Idris Abass, Director-General of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, is not a novice in risk management having been an astute insurer and a broker. Abass, in this interview, speaks on managing disasters in the FCT and the need for residents and indigenes to avoid disaster in the best possible ways in the wake of last week’s Nyanya’s bomb blast.

He is noted worldwide as a fighter whose fame accrued from inflicting deadly punches and “knocking down” his opponents. He is also currently angling to emerge in the World Guinness Book of Record as the oldest man to engage in an organized boxing.

The dream of former Eagles midfielder Paul Okoku to put a smile on the faces of less-privileged children in the society got a big boost yesterday when the Greater Tomorrow Foundation was launched at a colourful and pomp ceremony in Abuja.

ABUJA—The Minister of State and Supervising Minister for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Darius Ishaku, has said that the provision of N30 billion for the East- West Road project in the 2014 budget of the ministry was grossly inadequate, given the scope of work needed on the road.

Politics is about development and not shouting on pages of newspapers.” This was the declaration of the highly-elated President Goodluck Jonathan during his two-day official visit to Katsina State recently. One can easily deduce two things from the statement. The first impression is that despite all the propaganda against Governor Ibrahim Shema-led administration, without reaction of any form from the state governor, the President saw many things on ground to disprove it. The adage, which says ‘seeing is believing,’ has been proved in Katsina.The second interpretation of the President’s statement is that ‘it is the empty drum that makes the loudest noise.’

A group backing the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that there is no vacancy in Aso Presidential Villa in 2015.

Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke has urged his would-be successors not to jettison his grassroots sports development programme that has made the State a powerhouse in youth sports competitions in the country.

Top Nigerian taekwandoists, judokas, kick-boxers and karate practitioners have their sights set on the maiden National Martial Arts Festival tagged ‘Agoma Opens’, scheduled for May 13- 18, 2014 in Benin City, Edo State.

Following reported breach of security around Match Officials in Kaduna by members of the Kaduna United Supporters Club after the Match Day 6 encounter between hosts Kaduna United and Heartland FC, the League Management Company (LMC) has banned the official Supporters Club of the team from all league games for a period of one year.

I just think that people need to come and teach them how to take the fight to the aggressor. Look what they are doing in Kenya. Kenya brought in all these people to help them fight Al-Shabab. I mean, they realised that they need help and no man is an island. You cannot do it all alone. If you need help, ask for it and the rest of the world will come and help you, but Nigerians are very proud people and probably wouldn’t ask for help. But they only have to ask and they will send people. I can train and teach and do stuff to them.

Permit me to begin this contribution with some basic truisms: Firstly that God is great and that He alone forges the destiny of nations and rules in the affairs of men. Secondly that He is faithful and true and that He alone is worthy of our fear and of our praise. Lest despair and despondency set in, it is right and proper to always remember this and to continue to reiterate these truisms given the horrific things that we are witnessing on a daily basis in our country today. This is a season of brutality, sadness and fear.

The Ogun Police Command has arrested a middle-aged Nigerien for allegedly being in possession of more than 1,000 passport photographs of young boys.

resident Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday reiterated his unshaken belief in the ability of the nation to overcome all retrogressive and divisive forces. He also prayed that may God Almighty bless our dear nation, guide us always.

The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of Easter to reflect on the nation’s unity and progress.

Sunderland condemned Chelsea to their first home Premier League defeat under Jose Mourinho with a stunning 2-1 victory on Saturday that took Liverpool a step closer to the title.