THE undeniably violent, heavily armed, and merciless Extremist Group, Boko Haram, who have, systematically, decimated tens of thousands of Nigerians, clearly remain the major present security threat to the Nigerian government; although, other ethnic, regional or political associations such as IPOB, MASSOB, Afenifere and PANDEF have at various times, openly decried perceived injustice and inequity in government policies, these pressure groups have, so far, never been known for such violence nor have they resorted to self-help.

WE must, therefore, not shrink from accusing our friends or praising our enemies, nor need we be afraid of praising or blaming the same people at different times since it is impossible that men who are engaged in public affairs should always be right and unlikely that they should always be in the wrong. We must, therefore, detach ourselves from the actors in our story and apply to them only such statements and judgments as their conduct deserves – Polybius, 200-118 BC.

ABUJA—OFFICE of the Chairman, Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property was, weekend, sealed off by police operatives 

ON the lips of governors, religious and Labour leaders among others, yesterday, were words of peace, caution, and tolerance to ensure stable polity and unity as Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Kabir.

IBADAN—INVASION of the postgraduate hall of residence, Abdusalami Abubakar Hall, the University of Ibadan by robbers in the early hours of yesterday has left two students of the institution injured. 

NDIC By Providence Emmanuel THE microfinance bank industry recorded 5.2 percent decline in nonperforming loans (bad loans) to N25 billion in 2018 from N26.18 billion in 2017. IFRS 9 implementation burdens insurance firms(Opens in a new browser tab) The industry, however, struggled in terms of profitability as profit before tax stagnated at N16.2 billion during […]

By Kingsley Omonobi ABUJA— Following the killing of three officers of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Intelligence Response Team, IRT, in Taraba State by soldiers who freed a kidnap kingpin, the army captain, who allegedly gave the order for their elimination has been arrested. Army captain Ohakwe died in a fatal car accident, not […]

ABUJA—The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA, is to collaborate with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, in the areas economic growth.

By Dayo Johnson & Rotimi Ojomoyela ADO-EKITI—GOVERNOR Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday, congratulated former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun on his 80th birthday celebration describing him as a diligent worker and exemplary leader. Governor Fayemi, in a congratulatory message to […]

BENIN CITY—THE Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, said it has recovered three ambulances in Otuo, Owan East local government area meant for the General Hospital Otuo which has been abandoned since it was built and furnished with equipment worth N200 million through the constituency project of former Deputy Chief whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Pally Iriase.

Managing Director, Investment Banking at United Capital Plc, Babatunde Obaniyi, in this interview speaks on fund raising from Nigerian capital market to finance infrastructure deficits, mergers and acquisitions to meet capital requirements of corporate entities, apathy for equities,need for diversification to fixed income instruments , Power sector challenges, among other issues. Excerpts

President of the Nigeria Football Federation *NFF), Amamu Pinnick has outlined the reasons Nigeria wants to host next year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

ASABA—Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has again been commended for his strategic restructuring of some ministries, agencies and directorates in the ongoing appointments and selection of key members of the Stronger Delta team.

For the sake of clarity, the position of world-renowned writer, Chimamanda Adichie, on Nigerian women in politics in an interview published by Vanguard yesterday, is  that the system allows mediocre men to sail through not that the system is filled with women haters and mediocre men.

Nomso Obiajuru Samuel Okwaraji, a doctorate degree student of law, on August 12, 1989 slumped with 13 minutes left to play in the 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Angola at the national stadium, Surulere. He was confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.