Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has congratulated the 1987 Nobel prize winner for Literature, Prof Wole Soyinka, on the occasion of his 81st birthday. Amosun, according to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, described Soyinka as “A quintessential scholar, who bestrides the literary world like a colossus.

Foremost economist, Professor Patrick Utomi, has commended the recent bailout by President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Federal Government to all tiers of government towards offsetting outstanding salaries of workers, saying the move will stimulate the economy.

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the provision of affordable housing for Nigerians in partnership with the private sector. Vice President Yemi Osibanjo stated this in his keynote address at the 2015 Abuja Housing Show & Housing Development Awards, in Abuja, with the theme: “Delivery of Affordable Housing: Financing, Building Technology and Land Issues in Nigeria”.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) recently excluded some goods being imported into the country from the list of items valid for foreign exchange in the Nigerian foreign exchange markets. The implication of this is that those who import these items can no longer buy foreign currency from banks, bureaux de change or any other official source to pay overseas suppliers of such goods. Instead, they have to source their foreign exchange from outside the banks and bureaux de change. These items are not banned but importers cannot access foreign exchange from Nigerian banks.

Honourable Philip Shuaibu represents Etsako Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He was a Minority Whip in Edo State House of Assembly for two years and later became the Majority leader for six years. He was also a former National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students. In this interview he says that it is the rebels in the All Progressives Congress, APC, are causing the crisis and that the situation now does not need federal character. He also speaks on other issues.

Akure—ONDO State government weekend debunked insinuations that it received a bail-out from the Federal government to pay outstanding workers salaries. Instead the state government said that it only received N2.2 billion accrued to it from taxes, being part of June allocation from the Federation account.

WE are in an upbeat mood. Money is beginning to flow again. At least from the federal main supply, to the state and local government taps, and of course the federal tank which collects 52 percent of distributable funds. After months lamenting lack of funds, N804.7 billion was made available to be shared. I wonder what effect this will have on exchange rate as chunks of these funds flow through the tributaries of Bureau de Change and smuggling, into the larger oceans of world finance.

Yenagoa—No fewer than 13 persons died in last Thursday’s Agip pipeline explosion along Tebidaba-Clough Creek trunk line in the mangrove swamp of Azuzuama, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The story by Okechukwu Nnodim, writing from Abuja went on to say that “The Nigerian Electricity Consumer Advocacy Network, which was inaugurated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission about two months ago has collapsed.” Reading the report, it is obvious that the NERC and the members of the Nigerian Electricity Consumer Advocacy Network, NECAN, cannot agree about who is to fund the programme. There is fault on both sides as will be demonstrated presently. But first a few questions need to be answered.

“The name is a combination of my dad’s (Ben) and Mum’s (Glad) names. The Haven part of the name simply means Safe Place because my desire is to provide a safe place for children to have fun, learn and interact with their peers.

Nigerian boxers have been challenged to put to an end the perennial failure to win medals at international competitions, particularly at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

PORT HARCOURT—Eight persons were shot dead, weekend, by unknown gunmen at Agbonchia market area, Eleme Local Government of Rivers State.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, yesterday, assured residents in Epe area of the state of infrastructural development in the course of his administration. The governor, who gave the assurance while speaking at a special ramadan lecture held at the premises of the Epe Local Government Council, thanked the people for the support shown to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the electioneering campaign, promising that the development of Epe is uppermost in his heart.

ASABA—THE governorship candidate of Labour Party, LP, in the April 11 governorship election in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru, has withdrawn his application seeking to inspect election materials before the Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Asaba. Ogboru, through his counsel, Mr. Dele Adesino, SAN, had urged the tribunal to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to make available and allow for inspection, materials used in the conduct of the said governorship election.

ENUGU—Worried by outcries elicited by the killing,weekend, of the traditional ruler of Isienu Amofu,Nkerefi community in Nkanu-East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Peter Onuoha, and three others,the Enugu Police command has assured members of the public of its determination to arrest the masterminds.