The instigations for the two young women’s journey are familiar: To seek greener pastures and start a new life in the Western world, from Europe to America. 19-year-old Lamidi Basirat from Oyo, was promised a hairdressing career in the US, while Yusuf Hafsat Omobolanle, aged 32 and a trained nurse based in Lagos, was assured of a lucrative nursing job also in the US. But both women, like others they met over there, were only being lured into prostitution in Libya.

No fewer than 35 armed robbery,kidnap and secret cult suspects were paraded by the Enugu Police Command this week following their arrests by various operational units of the command through its intelligence policing strategy adopted by the newly posted Commissioner,Nwodibo Ekechukwu.

Issues arising from the governorship succession in Edo State are bound to raise lessons in loyalty and political fidelity.

I was at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Baruwa, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, on Sunday, February 28, 2016, at the instance of the Priest-in-Charge, Rev. Fr. Theodore Martinos, to give a talk to kick start the parish’s Family Reconciliation Week. The talk was a cocktail of Conflict Resolution, Marital Communication and Forgiveness, three topics we have treated in this column.

In Enugu State,the unbridled activities of Fulani Herdsmen have inflicted pain,displaced individuals and communities even as there is growing perception of active connivance with the police which accounts for the lackluster disposition police adopts whenever there is an incident.

The Ogun State chapter of the medical association went on a warning strike during the week. In doing so, it followed the footsteps of its Osun State cousin which has been at logger heads with its state for over a year now and has been on strike for about half as long. At a point, the entire Western zone threatened to join in solidarity to enforce a class interest irrespective—or in anticipation of the expected repercussions. Much of the Fashola years as Governor of Lagos State was bedevilled with doctors’ strikes over one thing or the other. As we speak, one or two state chapters of the association in the South-Eastern Zone are either downing tools or have downed tools. The South-South too has had its own share. In fact, it seems to me that there is no time during the year that at least one chapter of the medical association is not on strike. Although this issue pre-dates the democratic era, it seems to be getting worse by the year. I’d like the leadership of the national body to correct me if I am wrong, but I have not read of a medical body anywhere in the world that downs tools as often as Nigerian doctors do.

Apart from its designation as “oil-rich,” recent reports indicate that Rivers State in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region may have also acquired an inglorious tag of Rivers of blood as unknown persons have turned parts of the state to killing fields, snuffing out lives of unsuspecting residents and employing an eccentric style of beheading their victims.

What madness possesses pensioner in his 70s to start a second family when all his other children are full adults? Christopher, a fairly successful publisher was in his early 70s when he met his third wife, Clair who was then in her late 30s. By the time he was 76, they’d gone ahead to have two lovely children—a boy and a girl. According to Chris, “Besides the occasional blip, raising a child, no matter your age, is a huge pleasure. Feeding a baby its bottle is one of the great joys of life for a father, and one of the few things one ever does that is unquestionably useful.

Three-time African champions, Nigeria are reaching new heights as they prepare for a make or break 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier with seven-time record winners Egypt on March 25 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

It is obvious, that we are yet to hear the last of the Ese Rita Oruru and Yunusa Dahiru, a.k.a. Yellow. In the next couple of weeks when proper hearing should begin, we are surely going to be entertained to our hearts delight, from the ridiculous to the morbid and out rightly outrageous. But while we await these, there are still several questions in my mind begging for answers that may never be provided, at least, with the way many issues seem to have been twisted and wounded together, leaving one gaping in bewilderment and confusion.

An unwanted pregnancy is an exceptionally gruesome burden. In a 14 year old it isn’t just a blemish, it is a blight. The medical and social complications of childhood pregnancy are potentially grave and crippling. We have collectively failed that child, severally. We must begin to mitigate the proliferating consequences of our degenerate system. We must now envelop her with comprehensive perinatal care. Because she lacks the psychological maturity to be a mother, because the pregnancy was forced on her, we must not let her lose her mind. Tomorrow is in the stranglehold of pedophilia, it must be rescued. Accepting the child by all around her, and cushioning her life back onto an educational track will go a long way in keeping the demons away. While our focus rests on her well-being, we must scan this tragedy and cure sick minds. And let many culpable heads roll.

South Africa no longer surprises us. In the heat of the on-going attempt at ripping us off massively, Jacob Zuma, the country’s President blandly pays us a visit. He was once his country’s representative here. So what else is new? His predecessor in office also preceded him here. It was not entirely coincidental, because Nigeria was one of their closest allies against apartheid when the policy of “apartness” barred the black people from the inalienable rights of humanity—freedom as a human being, and equality as citizens of the same country.

Egypt national soccer coach, Hector Cuper is brimming with confidence that his foreign-based stars can get one over a Super Eagles side still coming to terms with their abrupt exit of Coach Sunday Oliseh.

The lawmaker representing Ojo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Obasa has launched the second edition of the Poultry training scheme and provision of starters’ kit for the good people of his constituency. Speaking at the programme, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof Ben Angwa urged Nigerians to […]

Micro-blogging site, Twitter, has verified the handle of ace producer, Solomon Oyeniyi, popularly known as K. Solo.