With democracy taking firm roots in the country and the four year cycle of elections becoming a culture, political stakeholders had in the past four years approached the year, 2015 with calculated steps in the hope of correctly positioning themselves and interests for ascendancy.

Best of time for both the federal and state pensioners in Ogun State, as unpaid gratuities and irregular payment of pension have made life very miserable for the senior citizens.

OWERRI—People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State, has dismissed claims by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume that he is the governorship flag bearer of the party in the state, even as some of the governorship aspirants in the state, including Senator Chris Anyanwu and Chief Chuka Odom, have accepted the outcome of the party primaries in good fate.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial candidate for Edo North, Mr. Francis Alimikhena, has expressed optimism that Nigeria will be a better and more peaceful place when former Head of State and presidential candidate of the party, Geneal Muhammadu Buhari, emerges the next president of Nigeria in 2015.

For sometime, now, politics indeed desperation for positions has become the norm at the headquarters of the nation’s foremost labour centre; the Nigeria Labour Congress so much that the leadership seems to have acted contrary to acceptable labour standards.

EMINENT lawyers in the country have urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps in the rehabilitation and reformation of the prison system in Nigeria, so as to forestall incidences of jail breaks in the country and also ensure the decongestion of the prisons.

Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has urged politicians to eschew all forms of bitterness and divisive tendencies and close ranks in order to build a more formidable state that can compete favourably among its peers, in furtherance of his vision of building a harmonious and politically stable state.

Oil dropped below $56 a barrel on Wednesday and was heading for its biggest annual decline since 2008, pressured by weakening demand and a supply glut prompted by the U.S. shale boom and OPEC’s refusal to cut output.

THE 63rd Jalsa Salana (annual conference) of Ahmadiyya Jamaat, Nigeria held in Jamia, Ilaro, Ogun State has now closed. It has been a remarkable gathering, emphasizing throughout the three-day event, aspects of religion in politics, social Justice, and global peace.

FOR most Nigerians in Diaspora coming back home after spending several years in the Whiteman’s land usually comes with mixed feelings. The cultural shock of moving back, the traffic, the epileptic power supply makes the decision very difficult. In spite of these numerous challenges associated with the transition process, every true Nigeria will tell you that there is really no place like home.

LAGOS—AFENIFERE Renewal Group, ARG, has warned that if urgent measures to curb the dwindling state of the economy are not taken, the country may be heading towards the doldrums.

THERE comes a time in the life of a young man when he ascertains his manliness when he gives birth to a child after marriage. As Africans, a man is extremely proud when he has a son.

DESPITE considerable progress experienced in the education sector in 2014, stakeholders are still concerned that Nigeria is yet to overcome its numerous challenges bordering on; rot, kidnapping and killing of innocent school children in their schools by Boko Haram insurgents, increase in the number of out-of-school children, incessant strikes by staff unions over welfare and the state of teaching and learning facilities, and the dying prospect of meeting the 2015 United Nations’ deadline for Education for All.

BENIN—FORTY-FIVE years old Madam Enoghayin Helen, a cancer patient, who was detained at the female surgical ward of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, over the inability of her family to pay N430,000 medical bill, yesterday regained her freedom.

ON the lips of eminent religious and political leaders across the nation, yesterday, were words of hope and optimism that 2015 will bring good tidings to Nigerians. The exception is the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which told workers to brace up for a tougher year because, in its estimation, 2014 was tough.