THE 11.8 kilometre Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos has been in the news in the last three weeks, albeit, for the wrong reasons. The whistle that the bridge, touted as the longest in Africa, is on the verge of collapsing, was blown by Senator Gbanga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the Senate.

Road transportation constitutes a major means of moving goods, persons and services from one point to another in most parts of the world. In Nigeria, road transportation accounts for approximately 80 percent of all movements. Efforts to restore the old glory of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in a bid to redress the over-dependence on road transportation have only been partially successful, despite the fact that Nigeria had at different times within the last 25 years, sought the technical and managerial assistance of the Chinese, Indians, as well as the British who are reputed to have legendary skills in this area.

ALL over the world,unemployment has become a major headache to many leaders and their governments. In Nigeria, lack of jobs particularly the ones that could be regarded as gainful employment for the teeming youths and even graduates of various tertiary institutions, has defied many solutions. To a large extent too, the development has constituted a security threat.

CHARLES KUMOLU reports that the deluge of doubts that trailed the commencement of remodeling of airports across Nigeria, is giving way to rays of hope, following the recent commissioning of some completed projects in some airports.

MR. Kester Ifeadi is the President of Organisation For the Advancement of Anioma Culture,OFAAC,in this interview ahead the ten year anniversary of OFAAC, he disclosed that the organisation has restored the Anioma identity. Ifeadi also noted that OFAAC has become the rallying point for Anioma sons and daughters since inception. He spoke to CHARLES KUMOLU

PERHAPS, if Mr.Courage Aigbedion, was told when he was leaving Nigeria for Turkey in 2011, that he was embarking on a suicide flight, he would have dismissed it with a wave of hand.

A participant’s diary of a 5day seminar on ‘Capacity Building for English Language’ organised at F.G.C Enugu for 78 teachers of English Language from selected Unity and State schools in South West, South East and South South zones.

THE issue of ill treatment meted to Nigeria visa applicants by foreign embassies or their proxies has gone on for too long in the country, hence, the need for remedial measures, so that every visa applicant can experience less cumbersome visa processing.

IN the face of the Federal Character Commission, FCC, stipulation that all fresh recruitments into the Public Service nationwide comply with the Commission’s guidelines and formulae on equitable distribution of posts, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, MDAs, seem to have done nothing in this regard. This development has remained appalling in a country, where the National Bureau of Statistics says about 67 million youths are unemployed. CHARLES KUMOLU reports.

WITH a history replete of prospects, but devoid of selfless drive to achieve set objectives, Nigeria’s opposition are once again forging an alliance to confront the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, at the 2015 general elections. CHARLES KUMOLU examines the workability of the move against the background of the historical failure of the opposition in this regard.

CHARITY Emeriwen, a Port Harcourt resident, in her early forties, had her mind made up to spend last Christmas week in Warri, Delta State, her place of birth. All set to leave town Wednesday of the week before, she had only some cash draw in one of the second generation banks where she does more of saving and no withdraws.

This weekend we bring you the story of Danjuma from the Northern part of Nigeria. Danjuma is a one- time winner of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, National Essay Competition. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Economics 2004, from Kogi State University, Nigeria, a Proficiency Certificate in Management from the Prestigious Nigerian Institute of Management, 2006. He is also a member of the Institute. What is most remarkable about him is his interest in Youth empowerment and activism in spite of his academic background as an economist/ a financial analyst.

THE Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, currently before the National Assembly appears to have reawakened the historical North/South dichotomy over the appropriation of Nigeria’s vast economic resources. In view of the argument that PIB would generally improve the operations of the oil and gas industry, the question on the lips of many is: Is the North really afraid of PIB? CHARLES KUMOLU writes…

Not everyone in Rivers State is on the same page in the rating of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s performance since he assumed office. While some, harping on the his landmark transformation of basic education and primary health infrastructures and service delivery, consider his administration outstanding, others believe the government is willfully wasteful and delivering far less than expected to justify the huge cash inflow.

Reports of financial scams, fraudulent activities involving highly placed private and public officials, children of powerful politicians, money laundering, abuse, misuse, waste of public funds and bribe scandals were rife in the media in 2012, pointing inevitably to a leaking national treasury; which had been recklessly looted over the years. Funds misappropriated, stolen or missing, worsened by profligate spending habit of government could amount to trillions of naira.