TONY AFEJUKU is a Professor of English and Literature in University of Benin. A former ASUU leader, Afejuku, in this interview, says he is happy in his “ little world of poverty.” He also speaks on the recent sacking of some Itsekiri villages in Warri North local government area of Delta State, his perception of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the need for President Goodluck Jonathan to do things rightly.

He probably had little reason to take the challenging path of fighting the establishment, given the comport and conditions around the country’s governors. But not Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State who was nurtured in the Aminu Kano political culture of using political power to fight for the masses.

Prof. Jubril Aminu is a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He was also at different times the Minister of Education and Petroleum Resources. He was equally a senator. In this interview, he speaks on the PDP crisis, saying the attempt by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and some governors to break away from the mainstream PDP is borne out of the need to remain politically relevant.

Ikenga Ugochinyere Imo is a house-hold name in the Peoples Democratic Party when it comes to controversy. Some label him as a hatchet man when there are turbulent issues in the party. He is the convener of the Stakeholders Forum in the New PDP. In this interview, he explains why Bamanga Tukur should go and why a new convention should be held.

He said the problem of Nigeria is disloyalty, not corruption; Obasanjo lied in his book, ‘My Command’; the first 1966 coup is not an Igbo coup but it ruined Nigeria. A Delta Igbo by paternal lineage but a Yoruba-cum northerner via maternal links, Alabi-Isama said God has destined Nigeria to be one country and those trying to dismember the nation labour in vain. He prayed that Nigerians should not witness another war because people are now very vicious. Excerpts:

For instance, he said the Northern and Eastern Nigeria have jointly been ruling the country since independence in 1960 and Nigeria has not known peace; there was no pogrom against the Igbo during the war; Biafra would not have lost the war if her military leaders had been tactically disciplined and prosecuted the war professionally; and that Nigeria neglects her heroes and heroines.

ON Friday, August 30, 2013 Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun had a media chat with select journalists in his porch house at 1, Milverton Road, Ikoyi. The chat was centered on “FCMB at 30: a reflection from the founder.” Otunba Subomi, in a very relaxed form said “I am not a pharisee of real life experience, my journey to what you now see had been divinely guided.

Senator Muhammed Ndume – Borno South – was the Minority Leader in the House of Reps as an ANPP lawmaker before he moved to the PDP and then became a senator. His political career took a twist when he was accused of sponsoring the Boko Haram Islamist group.

…Says ‘I paid over 100 priests’ school fees’
*Warns against hasty judgment on clerics owning jets *Killings by Boko Haram, inexcusable

A retired Archbishop of Benin Catholic Archdiocese, His Grace, Archbishop Patrick Ebosele Ekpu, recently, marked 50th anniversary as a priest. Since his retirement three years ago, the Uromi born cleric has dedicated his life to praying for the Church. On October 26, 2013, His Grace will be marking his 82 birthday. Sunday Vanguard met him last weekend for this interview. He spoke on how he trained over 100 priests in school, the crisis in Benin Catholic Archdiocese, insecurity in some northern states, the acquisition of private jets by men of God, gay priesthood and some national issues. Excerpts:

Vice Admiral Ganiyu T.A. Adekeye, as a former Chief of the Naval Staff, saw the Nigerian Navy inside out. In this interview, he speaks about his career in the navy that spanned 40 years in the process of which he had close shave with death many times and life in retirement. Excerpts:

How is life in retirement?

I left office about five years back, so it might not be that easy to immediately change from something you have been doing for the past 40 years. The only difference now is that I am not afraid of anybody as to whether I come to the office or not. Nobody is asking now whether I come to the office or not. I get myself engaged now most of the time. If not for the Ramadan, I still wake up around 4am and I don’t go to bed until around 12midnight and 1am every day.