The inaugural lecture of today is to formally inaugurate my 1997 Chair in Mechanical Engineering. It will educate the audience on machines, machine development and management; and chronicle my modest contributions to the development of the engineering profession in Nigeria.

AS Nigeria’s business headquarters, the Southwest is expected to lead other regions in the quest to develop Nigeria through massive investment in infrastructure. There must be a connection within the zone and other parts of the country. There must be alternative roads to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Imagine a light rail that connects the South-West. This will prevent social dislocation and bring about economic prosperity.

Professor Sylvester Monye who is the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation hails from Onicha Ugbo in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. Before his present appointment, Monye was Secretary, National Planning Commission, where he was in charge of the administration of the Commission, with oversight responsibility for the Centre for Management Development, CMD, Lagos, the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, NISER, Ibadan; and the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, Abuja.

In the first edition of this special report last Friday, it was noted that the lack of infrastructural development in the country has assumed a central importance in Nigeria’s fight to attain social and economic stability. In this installment, attempts to utilise the rail system of transportation is reviewed.

FOR most locals in his native Iyamoh village, a Saturday offers an opportunity to take a break from their agrarian occupation and enjoy the thrills weekend brings. But for the visiting Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, all days are the same, insofar there is still work to be done to “take Edo to the next level.”