As the Federal Government continues to put measures in place to stimulate economic growth and development through diversification into non-oil export sectors, there are divergent views from economists about the move by President Muhammadu Buhari to strike a currency swap deal with China. While many financial experts said that the deal will strengthen the bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and China as the second largest economy in the world, others advised Nigerian government to tread with caution, in order to curtail influx of fake and substandard goods into the local markets. A former President, National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFIE, Mr. Ade Martins-Odigie, who is also a financial expert, spoke with Sunday Vanguard on what Nigeria stands to benefit if the currency swap deal is successfully done.

Many people may not have understood why Governor Adams Oshiomhole is not backing the governorship aspiration of his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu. Apart from Odubu, the APC is parading aspirants like a former Minister of Works, Engr.Chris Ogienwonyi; a former military tactician, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (retd); a former governor of the state, Prof. Osarhiemien Osunbor; the Chairman of the Edo State Economic Team, Mr Godwin Obaseki; Mr Kenneth Imasuagbon; Comrade Peter Esele; Prof. Frederick Ebegue Amadasun; and the only woman in the race, Mrs Tina Agbarha. The state Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, was initially in the race but shelved the ambition after his boss informed him of his desire to support Obaseki.

Remember Alhaji Bashir Tofa?
He was the man who contested the June 12, 1993 presidential election against the late Chief MKO Abiola. Abiola was generally believed to have won that historic election which was unfortunately annulled by the military. In this interview, Tofa wonders whether anybody said Abiola won the election and he lost.

Benue State is counting its losses in the aftermath of the bloody crisis that raged like wild fire in the last two months between suspected Fulani herdsmen and local farmers. Though some parts of the state may be enjoying truce amid rising tension owing to the outcry that trailed the dastardly killings in Agatu, Logo, Guma, Tarka, Buruku Kwande and Katsina/Ala local government areas, the signs of the crisis still dot the landscape.

A prominent Lagos pastor made it compulsory for all members of his church to contribute a minimum of N10,000 each to his church’s multi-billion naira building project. Surely it must have occurred to him that some of his members do not have that kind of money. But he would not be deterred. He was determined that his mustard-seed church must become a tree.