The name Festus Iyayi symbolizes struggle for academic freedom, democratization of our educational system, national development and socialism. He was the President of Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) in the 1980s and in 1987, under his leadership, the Babangida administration banned ASUU, terminated the employment of Prof. Iyayi from University of Benin and subsequently arrested, detained and tortured him.

Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN), constitutional lawyer and leader of eminent group of Nigerians, The Patriots, in this piece, spells out the nature and character of the proposed National Conference, its primal purpose and modus operandi

The name conveys the impression of excellence and standardization. To someone from outside, it is the best clinic with state-of-the-art equipment which should also boast of qualified medical personnel judging from the fact that it is owned by the second arm of the federal government that appropriates monies for all the government expenditure on yearly basis.

The recent mid-term assessment of the state of public hospitals in Ogun State by the Nigerian Medical Association has shown that there is an abysmal failure in the health sector despite the fact that health is the second on the seven-point agenda of the government.

The present government in Abia state is making efforts to refurbish the health sector. In the last two years or thereabout, the government has established two ultra modern Diagnostic Centres in Umuahia, the state capital and Aba, the commercial city.

THE Healthcare facilities in Cross River State comprise significantly of those owned and operated by the Federal Government which are the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH and the Psychiatric Hospital both located in Calabar; and the state government owned secondary and primary healthcare institutions which are spread all over the state.

Are the drivers in the convoy of Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State reckless or fate simply played a cruel joke on the governor to give him negative publicity? Four fatal crashes involving Wada’s convoy in 11 months make this question apt. Death toll from the incidents is five. This is inspite of the sacking of four Kogi Government House drivers on the orders of Governor Wada just so discipline can be instilled. Interestingly, Wada’s convoy is described as a crawling-convoy because of the slow speed of between 60kmph and 80kmph that he has ordered as limit.

Nigeria is indisputably Africa’s biggest producer of oil. At the world rating, it is in the top fifteen. It is also the world’s 4th biggest exporter; exporting 2.1 million barrels each day. This background presupposes a nation that is well sitting on wealth.

Being an agrarian state where most of the people are peasants and live through subsistence means, the people of Yobe have before this administration, been struggling to cope with the high cost of health care services.

ANAMBRA State is lucky that health indices in the state are on the positive side and this is attributable to the determination of the state government to achieve the health aspects of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.