Last week, I stated that the money allocated to Aso Rock clinic was 3.4 billion naira. I later discovered that 4.8 billion naira was actually set aside for both capital projects and recurrent expenditure for it, the clinic used by the President, Vice-President, their families and close associates. That amount competes favourably with the total allocation usually earmarked by the Federal Ministry of Health for tertiary health institutions nationwide which serve thousands of Nigerians annually, while only about N2.66 billion is to be spent on building new hospitals all over the country.

Saturday’s Benue South senatorial rerun election between Senator David Mark of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Daniel Onjeh of the All Progressives Congress, APC, may have come and gone, but issues arising therefrom, before, during and after the poll will continue to generate controversy.

Prophet Samson Oluwamodede heads the Prayer Centre Church of God, PCCG, with headquarters in Akure, the Ondo State capital and branches within and outside the country. He established the church 14 years ago after receiving divine instruction from God. But the unexpected happened recently when an ex-convict, Festus Balogun, allegedly blackmailed him and 11 other notable clergymen, accusing them of ritual killings and other fetish activities.

This year’s governorship election in Edo State to fill the vacancy that would result from the end of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s tenure will no doubt be keenly contested. For the first time in recent years, many well tested citizens have already shown interest in the position. In particular, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the main opposition party- the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to give each other a hot chase as both parties are strong in the state. But before the political scene begins to boil, no one should forget that the state has so much to thank God for.

24 hours after the Supreme Court upheld death sentence on Rev Chukwue­ meka Ezeugo, a.k.a. Rev King, members of his Christian Pray­ ing Assembly (CPA) in Ajao Estate, Lagos, yesterday, were making preparations to celebrate the convicted pastor’s birthday today in their service.

In this first of a three-part article, my aim is to get President Muhammadu Buhari to re-evaluate his obvious discomfort with the workings of a market economy and change; so that he can effectively lead the CHANGE agenda that he promised Nigerians. To the extent that the engine of wealth creation and poverty reduction is the private sector when enabled and not when crippled, this intervention is necessary to lend my voice to that of other concerned Nigerians.

Chief Sarafa Tunji Isola, a Minister of Mines and Steel Development during President Umar Musa Yar’Adua administration, is a key stakeholder in Ogun State , which 40th anniversary was just celebrated with fanfare with President Muhammadu Buhari joining in it for two days. The former Secretary to Ogun State Government and one time Chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government, in this interview, bares his mind on Ogun State at 40, the Nigerian security situation, the economy and absolves the judiciary system of blame over corruption in the couontry. He speaks on former President Obasanjo and challenges critics of President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips, saying adverse assessment of his government in less than two years is wrong

Second Republic governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, says the economy has been going from bad to worse since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office almost nine months ago. “You must have the political will and sincerity to do justice to everybody”, the veteran politician tells the President in this interview, saying he (Buhari) requires more than integrity or credibility to administer Nigeria.

Following the declaration by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, that Benin monarch was the third in the ranking of kings in the South-West, the Palace of the Oba of Benin has stoked controversy over the supremacy saga.

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), has apprehended four suspected drug traffickers, including a Birmingham-based cleaner, with 6.822kg of narcotics worth N61 million.