If Alfa Lateef Amusa, a popular Islamic cleric in the Ijaye area of Abeokuta had known that the Egungun masquerade’s threat would lead to his death, he would have avoided them A minor altercation between the deceased and the masked but armed masquerades who had blocked the road that fateful Sunday, led to the death of Lateef. He was killed when one of the masquerades popularly called ‘Leyin Aponle,’ allegedly shot him at close range.

In a bid to foster peace and unity among the youths of Okori community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, a renowned philanthropist and the Paramount Ruler of Okori, Eleme, Rivers State, Chief Appolus Chu, recently initiated a football competition in the community. The competition which is also aimed at discovering hidden talents, saw the winners carting away the sum of one million Naira.

IN some of the areas affected by last year’s flood disaster, the state governments practically abandoned the internally displaced persons, IDPs, to their fate, soon after they returned from the emergency relief camps, as it is most things Nigerian.

It has been said at various times and in different places that this is not the best of times for Imo people, residents and others passing through the state. People have since learnt not to sleep with their two eyes closed, at least for now. This issue of insecurity has remained on the lips of most people and may remain so for some time to come, especially as crime is yet to abate.

The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, has warned Nigerians against the dangers associated with pipeline vandalism.

THE recent outbreak of crisis between the people of Adadama Community in Abi Local government area of Cross River State and Ndiagu Amagu Community in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State over unclear issues relating to land acquisition and usage, weekend, took another dimension as eight persons were reportedly abducted while 45 houses belonging to Amegu community were allegedly destroyed by hoodlums from Adadama community.

Few days ago the Minority Whip of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange narrowly escaped death when his residence was attacked at the middle of the night by yet to be identified men who set ablaze his two cars that were parked at the porch of his house.

RESIDENTS and traders of Oko-Baba, Ebute Metta area of Lagos State have urged the state government to design a ‘Master Plan’ for the area instead of relocating them to Timber village, in Ikorodu Local Government Area of the state.

Residents of Mushin, a thickly populated Lagos neighbourhood, have raised an alarm over incessant robbery attacks in the area. They have therefore called on the government to come to their aid.

FOR residents of Wunti-dada, a surburb of Bauchi metropolis, January 20, 2013 will not be forgetten in a hurry. This was the day they woke up to discover the lifeless body of a middle- aged man who is suspected to have taken his own life by hanging on a tree.

Recent reports from Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited, PPMC, show that Nigeria lost about N165 billion to pipeline vandalism in the last four years.

It is a known fact that Ibadan metropolis is no longer what it used to be. Even though, roads and other projects are still under construction, residents of the ancient city now breathe fresh air. There is free flow of both vehicular and human traffic. Places where traffic snarl used to be a permanent feature are now free. The environment is becoming cleaner by the day due to the demolition of illegal structures embarked upon by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

…We receive about 10 fire distress calls everyday — Firefighters boss
The prayer on the lips of most people on the eve of every New Year is that the coming year should bring good tidings. It is too early to tell if the prayer has been answered 22 days into 2013 but the series of fire disasters witnessed in the first two weeks of the year in Lagos do not give cause for cheer. So far, about 125 buildings have been gutted by fire with the fire service receiving an average of 10 distress calls everyday.

…No cause for alarm — Fashola
AS the rainy seasons draw near, Lagos residents have begun to express fear over the preparedness of government to curtail the perennial flood challenge confronting the state.

Imo State is becoming increasingly unsafe. Criminals perpetrate their sordid activities at will. People hardly sleep with their two eyes closed. Hypertension is becoming a major health problem in the state because everybody is apprehensive about who will be the next victim of kidnappers or assassins.