There can be no end in the foreseeable future to a do-or-die fight to be President of our nation. The unbridled struggle for the position of top dog is seemingly motivated by the prospect of exercising almost absolute power over our lives and our nation’s resources, particularly the oil proceeds from the Niger Delta. Indeed, if income derived from oil is removed from the federal purse, the federation may have to survive on less than 30% of annual budgets. Furthermore, the underbelly of the arbitrarily created 36 states and 774 local governments would also be exposed, as most of them would literarily collapse without, what some people have described as ‘blood money’ from the Niger Delta.

Chairman Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, gave this advice at a two-day stakeholders’ forum on “Realising the full potentials of the Nigerian economy through proactive capital market legislation” held in Abuja. He lamented that “presently, the Nigerian public feel excluded from the Nigerian oil and gas sector as only a small percentage of the elite have so far managed to gain access through processes that are stringent and highly capital intensive.”

ABUJA—The Nigerian- Turkish Nizamiye Hospital, a pristine medical facility in Abuja is set to commence services for heart valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting otherwise known as open heart surgery in Abuja.

The House of Representatives has called on the federal government and, in particular, the Inspector-General of Police to ensure adequate security in and around the premises housing the secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja.

Yenagoa—Bayelsa State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson has expressed dismay over the delay in the payment of workers salaries in the state, despite his directive to that effect.

BENIN CITY—THE Forum of Former Deputy Governors, FFDG, weekend, called on elders and leaders from the Niger Delta to rise up against the continuous bombing of oil facilities in the region, saying that the devastating effect of pollution may haunt the people of the region for years to come.

ASABA—AS Nigeria grapples with the present economic downturn occasioned by sharp fall in oil revenue, Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, called for sober reflection on what should be done to put the country on the irreversible path of progress.

Fasting is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of the less-fortunate. It’s seen as a way to physically and spiritually detoxify by kicking impulses like overeating and concentrate on how to reach the creator. A time to detach from worldly pleasures and focus on one’s prayers. Muslims are expected to spend more time in religious activities than worldly affairs.

A prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Beck Hitler, has appreciated all traditional chiefs of Gbaramatu for being united and contributing towards a sustainable peace in the kingdom considering the current challenges in the kingdom.

THE Enugu State Government refused to pay workers, Minimum Wage in 2011. The then Executive Governor, Sullivan Chime had in response to workers agitations, won or bought over some labour leaders in the state and intimidated then Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Chumaife Nze who refused to sell out.