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.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she gazed at the photograph in front of her. She struggled to clean the tears with her wrapper. Ceaseless tears have been the lot of Madam Timipah Okoba’s for the past 10 years when her only child, Tonye Berepubo, was cut down in his prime by gunshots fired during a fracas involving members of an Ijaw youth group which was then factionalised.

WHAT played out in England in 1936 when King Edward VIII abdicated his throne to marry the woman he dearly loved, seems to be playing out in Igbodo kingdom in Delta State. The Obi of the community is in a tangle with his subjects over whether to abide by the age-long tradition and custom of the people and marry a native or insist om marrying his Abakaliki-born heartthrob.

A PHARMACIST Mr. Chimezie Ojinkieme, started the year on a happy note having stocked his pharmacy with supplies from various pharmaceutical companies. In year 2004, this graduate of Imo State University acquired a warehouse at No 6 Mba Street, Achapo area of Ajegunle, Lagos State for stock piling of products. Since then, his business has grown to the tune of over N15M.

Nasarawa State, the home of solid minerals, used to be one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria where people from various tribes have lived together, inter-married, and shared beliefs and customs. However, recent events have proved that the state has sadly joined the league of states with records of communal violence.

Just a visit to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, is enough to convince even the blind that the foremost Yoruba monarch is a real custodian of culture.

Last December, most motorists and commuters in Ogun State were thrown into panic mode, no thanks to the numerous road crashes with attendant loss of lives witnessed during the period. To worsen the fear of travellers in the Gateway State, a truck rammed into some students who were crossing the road in Itori on their way back home after school hours.

Work on the rehabilitation and dualization of East -West Road which links Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States began a few years ago. But despite the importance of this strategic road which bears the whole burden of oil exploration in the country, the reconstruction work is going on at a snail’s pace. Commuters who ply the ever-busy road literally go through hell on daily basis as they are forced to remain in the traffic gridlock for endless number of hours. In fact, the section of the road around Okosi bridge is at the verge of being lost to the River.

Work on the rehabilitation and dualization of East -West Road which links Edo, Delta, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Cross River States began a few years ago. But despite the importance of this strategic road which bears the whole burden of oil exploration in the country, the reconstruction work is going on at a snail’s pace.