The Federal Government has deducted a total of N32bn from allocations of states from the Federation Account in the month of April 2016 for different loans they incurred.

Apparently angered by the activities of criminals, who are currently bombing strategic national oil facilities, the federal government may deploy its fighter jets and troops to flush out the malevolent elements.

ABUJA—The Federal Government, weekend, reiterated its commitment to tackle the problems of underdevelopment and neglect confronting the Niger Delta region. Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, stated this at the passing out parade and deployment of 8,000 Peace Keepers, who graduated from the National Unity and Peace Corps training and peace resolution mechanism in Abuja.

PORT HARCOURT— SENATOR Magnus Abe, All Progressives Congress, APC’s, candidate in Rivers South-East senatorial election, has called on the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the poll, Senator Olaka Wogu, to go to court if he was dissatisfied with alleged moves by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to officially release result for the March 19 re-run elections in Tai Local Government Area of the state.

The promise to diversify Nigeria’s revenue source and reduce the nation’s dependence on dollar income from oil exports was sustained by earlier administrations. Curiously, however, as with previous administrations, there seems to be a convenient denial of the reality that, competitive production output, cannot be sustained in any sector, if critical monetary indices challenge the creation of vibrant economic activities and job creation opportunities.

There must be occasions when the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, must feel like the late Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, 1883-1945, who declared that “Governing Italians is not impossible; it is merely useless”. Governing the Nigerian monetary policy sector and its financial systems, rationally, is also not impossible. It is increasingly clear that is might be the closest thing to exercise in futility.

Delta North senator, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi and former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Victor Ochei, are again locked in battle, but this time, the bone of contention is their claims to a parcel of land in a choice area of Asaba.

I have asked myself how best to contribute to an issue that is currently pressing Nigerians without falling into the trap of Nigerians who only see the problem without offering solution or at least a clearer understanding that would lead to the formulation of solutions.

Skye Bank Plc has unveiled a new product on investment, titled Select Summer Campaign as part of its move in attracting the unbanked into the banking system.

ABEOKUTA—Ogun State government has appealed to medical practitioners in the state to call off the on-going industrial action by the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA.

ABUJA—DISTURBED by what it called high tariff by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, on import duty and the Federal Government’s proposed ban on importation of used vehicles into the country, the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, AMDON, has written the Senate, seeking its intervention on the issue.

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited has disclosed plans of the group to enhance investments and leverage its unique footprint and international banking expertise to drive growth in Nigeria and other African countries. Through a new brand campaign, ‘Here for Africa’, the bank has stated its commitment to investing in Africa’s future, and continuing to support key growth sectors across local economies, including infrastructure, telecommunications, transport, retail and trade.

Following their landmark victory at the Lagos High Court which confirmed the Olusesi Royal Family as rightful owners of all land situated at Olugborogan Village, Lekki, in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos state, the family who has finally returned to their land after ten years in exile, has and warned land speculators to stop encroaching on their land.

Novare Real Estate Africa, a firm of real estate development that specialises in building state of the art commercial properties such as malls, and owners of Novare Lekki Mall, has concluded plans to commission the largest mall in Lagos which cost is put at whopping N31.5 billion this Thursday.

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has suspended bancassurance partnership deals between insurance companies and banks indefinitely, following a dispute with the Central Bank of Nigeria. Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari made this known at the investiture of Mr. Eddie Efekoha, Managing Director of Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, as the 20th Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association.