The 2011 Budget is certainly the most bizarre in the history of budgeting in this country. First, the president delivered a budget address to the joint session of the National Assembly, NASS, proposing a BUDGET OF CONSOLIDATION without spelling out precisely what is being consolidated.

Benson Bube Omadeli, the Olaja-Orori of Ugborodo, traditional ruler and spiritual head of Ugborodo Island in Escravos, host community to Chevron Nigeria Limited in Delta State, is definitely not a happy man. During a visit recently, he lamented the devastating condition of life in his community.

The Chairman, Coalition Against Corruption Leaders, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, has said if Nigerians and Lagosians in particular must enjoy good living standard they must be ready to effect positive change in governance in the state by coming together to speak with one voice as groups, networks and coalitions.

The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) has declared that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which has been in the Senate since 2008, was designed to simplify business operations in the downstream sector and not to create monopoly for government in the system.

National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) yesterday officially presented guidelines for oil and gas insurance in Nigeria.

Ogun State Government has identified three major capital projects estimated to cost $43.26 million (N6.5 billion) among others requiring financing by banks in the state. Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the state governor disclosed this at an interactive session with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers’ Committee in Lagos.

A gemstone centre is to be set up in Ibadan, Oyo State as part of the Gemstone Development Programme of the Federal Government. The Ibadan platform is one of the two planned for the country, with the second planned for Jos, Plateau State.

No fewer than 400 farmers have benefited from Olam’s Model farm village concept across three villages in Bauchi and Jigawa states.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) recently listed Nigeria among the seven countries that won its 2010 Oslo Business for Peace Awards.

THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said that it has not been official notified of the unbanning of textile materials and other items recently removed from the import prohibition lists Area Comptroller of the Apapa Area 1 Command Mr. Abdulkabir Azarema told Vanguard that Customs has not received any instruction regarding the lift on the ban of certain goods hitherto banned.