Women’s participation both in politics and governance, predates the Beijing’s Conference. In the developed nations, women President and Ministers have emerged. But in Africa, traditional and religious barriers still stand as bulwark in the realisation of the 35% affirmative action in both elective and appointive positions in Nigeria and by extension Africa. CHARLES ADINGUPU attempts a review of women ministers in President Jonathan’s cabinet.

HE had once posited: “Here in Northern Nigeria we have people of many different races, tribes and religions who are knitted together to common history, common interest and common ideas, the things that unite us are stronger than the things that divide us. I always remind people of our firmly rooted policy of religious tolerance.

THE remarkable thing about the late Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello, one can say at the outset is the fact that generations of Nigerians have been direct or indirect beneficiaries of his vision and mission in life.

A FEW constitutional amendments would also be useful. There should be provision for independent candidates. Some outstanding independent candidates will get elected and help to improve the calibre of members in the legislatures. Consideration should be given to increasing the membership of the State Assemblies to make it more difficult for state governors to direct and manipulate the State Assemblies.

THESE are still very anxious times for most citizens of Nigeria. Massive challenges confront the country today – on issues of security of persons and property, political stability, economic growth and development.

LAST week, we published an exclusive story of a judge of a Delta State High Court, Otor-Udu, Justice Flora Azinge, who was prevented from sitting for two months by kidnappers. She was sent a letter for N20 million ransom by a kidnap gang. Accusing fingers were pointed at her police orderly and other police officers, currently cooling off in detention. Following our super story, Justice Azinge has resumed sitting. She started sitting on Wednesday, November 28. This is a follow-up.

Abubakar Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, was born in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State
and has served in various capacities including being a state counsel and magistrate in Kebbi State and teaching law at the Usman Dan Fodio University before going into private legal practice. He currently serves as the National Legal Adviser for Congress for Progressive Change, CPC. But his main interest lies in floating an NGO to help deepen the content of our laws by sponsoring private citizen bills in the National Assembly.In this interview, Malami looks at the menace of corruption in Nigeria and concludes that government is actually promoting graft rather than fighting it.

Some stakeholders share their perspectives in this concluding part of our report on the crisis in Ughorodo, a community in Delta State, which allegedly claimed three lives.

The issue of insecurity in Nigeria has been on the front burner since the last few years especially with the Boko Haram insurgency which has claimed thousands of lives.

The governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is under fire to resign his position for calling for the sack of 50 percent of civil servants within the federal government employ.