THERE is more to the military’s clamp down on newspapers than it disclosed in an obviously hurried statement that failed to notice the contradictions in the defence it provided. According to Defence Headquarters, newspaper circulation vans were stopped based on security reports that they were to be used to ferry bombs from the North East to other parts of the country.

NIGERIAN “big men” are drawn to publicity, name-dropping, and anything that could promote their causes, usually self-serving.

CAPACITY building has become a favourite lingo of all who claim to be improving the economy. The abuses can be imagined. Small and medium enterprises are hailed for the promises they hold. The Bank of Industry’s efforts apart, empowerment schemes have become platforms for containing the youth rather than exploring their zeal and passion.

LIBYA has a more dangerous transition phase that is easily overlooked. Muammar Gaddafi’s death 30 months ago has left a country in more turmoil than most opponents of Gaddafi expected.

AN erroneous belief that relevance of oil approximates to the life span of Nigeria’s oil reserves partially fuels the contentment with which the authorities treat diversification of the economy.