In a recent rather deceitful outing, Chief Great Ogboru and the Delta APC claimed they will grant local governments autonomy if voted into power.

THE recent introduction of a bi-partisan bill in the House of Representatives by 71 members seeking to return Nigeria to the parliamentary system of government was significant. But while the legislators’ action received a supportive shot in the arm from Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, and Professor Ango Abdullahi, a chieftain of the Northern Elders Forum, it got a damning shot across the bow from Professor Itse Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

No fewer than 105 cows and a herd of sheep were arrested by officials of the Benue State Livestock Guards for grazing openly near Akawe Torkula College of Advanced and Professional Studies, Makurdi.

UNICEF has reiterated that in 2018, while the primary school enrolment had increased in recent years, with net attendance of about 70 per cent, Nigeria still has10.5 million  out-of-school children – the world’s highest number. It said: ‘’Sixty-nine per cent of those children are in northern Nigeria, just as 60 per cent of the out-of-school children are girls.’’

THE recent report that Nigeria has the highest number of the poorest of the poor globally is a source of concern to well meaning individuals and organisations. It was no surprise that increasing level of poverty was a major issue discussed by members of the governing council of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, at their meeting few days ago in Lagos.

THE price of crude oil,  yesterday, dropped to $50.00, showing $10 below Nigeria’s $60 per barrel 2019 budget benchmark in the volatile global market.

Uyo—A socio-political group, Akwa Ibom Good Governance Group , has alleged that the former governor of the state, and former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio deliberately sabotaged the development of the science park project during his tenure as governor for political reasons.

IN his epic novel, Things Fall Apart, the late Chinua Achebe brought the essence of Igbo adages into very sharp focus. “Among the Igbo, the art of conversation is regarded very highly,” he wrote. “And proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten.”

Four policemen attached to Ijaniki division of the Lagos State Police Command have been arrested for allegedly dispossessing a Togo- based Nigerian, who was returning home for the Christmas celebration , of 350,000 CFA .

BENIN—FORMER Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier-General Idada Ikponmwen (retd) yesterday, took a swipe at President Muhammadu Buahri’s claims that the system was slowing down his anti-corruption drive and implementation of his policies, saying the president should be held responsible for how slow or fast he was going.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has explained the decision to host  the Super Eagles international friendly against Egypt at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba. The football house said it is all about comfort for the players, as promised by Delta State government.

Abakaliki—The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Ebonyi State National Orientation Agency, NOA, yesterday called on Ebonyi people to shun electoral violence, vote buying and other forms of malpractices in the 2019 general elections.

Talk show host on Style 101, ARISE TV news anchor, model, actress and philanthropist, Idia Aisien has expressed disappointment in the ways and manner Africa and Nigeria are being projected by global communities

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has said that the wisdom behind the NITDA ‘Start-Up Friday’  is to identify young innovators who have potentials and see how they can be supported to achieve their dreams. 

AS Organised Labour battles the federal and state governments over a N30,000 new national minimum wage, Dockworkers in the nation’s Maritime sector now have a reason to smile because the least paid among them now earns not less than N50,000 a month.