Professor Chinua Achebe had left the University of Massachusetts about a decade before I joined the same University in 1983 as Professor and Director of the Automation and Robotics laboratory. At the time, Achebe’s reputation was still looming large at UMass. On realizing that Achebe and I came from the same country and the same state in Nigeria (old Anambra State), students and professors as well as non-academic staff ceaselessly asked me questions about Achebe—about his health, his family, his books and, of course, about the legendary village of Umuofia in his epic novel, Things Fall Apart. Poor fellows! My only contact with Achebe then was only through his books which I thoroughly enjoyed reading while in high school.

*Says Jonathan is focused on development
In this interview, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Reuben Abati, speaks on the administration’s successes, but, more importantly, on the security situation in the country. Excerpts:

Renowned cardiologist, Dr.Kingsley Kolapo Akinroye, was, in November 2012, appointed the Honourary Consul of Finland, following the opening of the Honourary Consulate of Finland in Lagos by the Ambassador of Finland to Nigeria, Her Excellency Mrs Riitta Korpivaara. Prior to his appointment, he had pursued medical studies and a research fellowship in Finland and notably acted as the Secretary General of the Finland-Nigeria Friendship Association for years.

Since 2009, there have been bloodletting in the North on the grounds of Islamizing the country by Jama-‘a Ahl al-sunnah li-da’wa wa al-jiha-d, also known as Boko Haram. In this interview, the Bishop, Diocese of Kubwa, Anglican Communion, and National Treasurer of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, the Right Reverend Duke Akamisoko, speaks on the national insecurity created by the activities of the group and other pertinent issues that need to be addressed if Nigeria is to move forward. Excerpts:

As the rainy season picks up, the North Central Zonal Office of the National Emergency Agency (NEMA) has embarked on a disaster risk management campaign in order to mitigate the effect of the flood predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) this year. In this interview, the NEMA Coordinator in the zone, Mr. Mohammed Abdulsalam, speaks on the preparedness of the agency in the zone to avoid a repeat of the 2012 flood disaster.

For some time now, armed robbers and kidnappers have taken over an area referred to as “Evil Forest” located along the Benin-City bypass, and seen as a haven for criminal activities. Luxury buses plying the East-Lagos routes have on many occasions been attacked, passengers robbed and women raped in the area. Those who resist are killed. Families of many kidnapped victims are asked to go to the ‘Evil Forest’ to drop ransom. In the past, policemen dared not go near the place because they may not come back alive to tell the story.

Ganiyu Balogun, 42, could hardly do anything on his own. He was assisted to Vanguard Headquarters to share his story. To him, life is cruel as it has turned once a promising young man with great dreams, into a bedridden chap on the verge of death within a short space of time after a diagnosis revealing the presence of acute kidney failure, or what is termed as ‘end stage kidney disease.’

BY FEYI BANKOLE He is popular for his proclamation, “Nigeria has no business being poor!”. Christened Patrick Okedinachi Utomi but largely known as Pat Utomi, our inspirational guest is a passionate entrepreneur and social activist. After a brief career in journalism, Patrick was appointed a Special Assistant on Political Affairs in Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s administration […]

“I am not angry with my wife for not having kids but with the way she dresses provocatively, leaving her breasts and buttocks virtually naked. Anytime I complained, she will say that is what is in vogue. She brought a concubine to my mother’s burial but I didn’t catch her then”.

The Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, has warned that it will apply commensurate punishment on any teaching staff found to be engaging in sorting, mutilation of results, sexual harassment and all forms of exploitation. The Rector, Dr. (Mrs.) Celestina Njoku, read the riot act during the institution’s Quarterly General Assembly.