To maintain the existing peace in the region is quite important for us to function. If there’s a crisis in the region, all we are putting in place will not work

When our democracy gets free from money, tribalism, religion and other vices and anomalies, we shall be on our way to becoming a great nation as these monsters have been the clogs on our wheels for too long. My government will ensure true democracy and not a hybrid system.

I was so bad in English to the extent that I had to think on improving by speaking English on daily basis

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, speaking at The Financial Times Nigeria Summit, with the theme “Dispelling Uncertainty And Building Resilience”, conducted By David Pilling (Africa Editor, Financial Times), in Lagos on Thursday said: “There has been a lot of damage to the environment in terms of business and all that, but correcting that would take a while. Don’t forget that we (this administration) are barely three years old. But we are focused on doing the right thing.

Comrade Abba Patrick Moro is a lecturer and former Minister of Interior. In this interview with OMEIZA AJAYI, the one-time unionist, local government administrator and influential member of the PDP ex-Ministers’ Forum speaks on his experiences since leaving office saying nothing has changed despite the promise of “change” by the APC administration. He also says the PDP has no automatic ticket for the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar. Excerpts:

Recently, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Peter Mrakpor and Barrister Ernest Ogwezzy, Commissioner for Special Duties in Delta State presented records of their achievements to the people of the state via the press as part of accountability programme of the Okowa administration. Both men spoke of their passion for the jobs and how their jobs have impacted on the ‘Smart Agenda‘ of the government.

Idris Usman is former National Publicity Secretary of the Young Democratic Party (YDP) and former North-West Coordinator of the Jonathan/Sambo Campaign under Neighbour to Neighbour group in 2011. Two years ago, he founded the Paradigm Shift Movement, a group dedicated to the promotion of the virtues of democracy and good governance. In this interview, he speaks on President Muhammadu Buhari’s second bid for the Presidency and sundry issues bordering on the 2019 general elections.

The whole purpose of democratic rule is to empower the people. This democracy that we have today has not empowered our people. In fact, it has impoverished them. With the possible exception of a certain category of politicians and their fronts, most Nigerians cannot claim to be better off than they were in 1999.

Tragedy struck in Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, when a corps member, identified as Ibukun Arowolo, allegedly slumped and died, barely five days to completion of his one year service.

In this interview, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Financial Derivatives Company and one of the nation’s leading economic analysts, speaks on the state of Nigeria’s economy, highlighting the major challenges inhibiting growth, while recommending elimination of policy rigidities and injection of booster shots to achieve optimal economic growth.

This leadership issue we are talking about, leaders have the capacity to do the right thing, but they’ve decided to do otherwise

One-time chairman of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC, Chief A.K Horsfall, in this Democracy Day Edition, takes on the challenge of security in the change administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, lamenting the security problems in the country and urging security agencies to cooperate in solving the security issues in Nigeria, even as he expresses concern over the effect on common people.

You can’t have an insight into her story and don’t find it irresistible. Consider these: Dr. Ola Brown established the first air ambulance service in West Africa, Flying Doctors Nigeria Limited. She was inspired to start the company after her younger sister died while traveling in Nigeria. At 21, she qualified as a medical doctor from the University of York, UK. Her company which has more than 20 aircraft has airlifted around 500 patients, using a fleet of planes and helicopters. With a presence in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, she employs many people in different capacities. This inspirational Nigerian, who was born in the UK was recognised by the World Economic Forum as one of the prestigious Young Leaders. With these achievements of global repute, it could be assumed that a very privileged background made her success story possible. However, anyone with such assumption would be proven wrong after reading this interview which was conducted at the Headquarters of Flying Doctors in Lagos.

We are looking at   Nigeria which is stronger, integrated, positioned for greatness in the African continent and indeed the black world. Ethnic and primordial politics is holding us back. This is the time for a paradigm shift.   We need to work towards the future, and to achieve it, is not a rocket science. 

It is no secret that the youth population is the largest subgroup in our national demography, but, unfortunately, the larger percentage of this subgroup exhibits  severe apathy towards leadership, politics or governance.