Forty years later, we have failed (woefully) to fully achieve any of the five goals. Indeed, many would argue that we have regressed in respect of a majority of the goals. Yet, if an opinion poll were conducted among a representative sample across age groups, ethnic groups, religious groups and geopolitical zones in April 2011, a clear majority is very likely to endorse the same national goals of development. If these are the desirable goals, why have we failed to make progress towards achieving them and what must we do differently to fully achieve these goals by 2050?

WHEN on Tuesday, January 28, the fleeting peace in the Niger-Delta was shattered by some unknown gunmen, who stormed Ogbobagbene, the country home of the Minister of Niger-Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and blew up parts of the sprawling mansion with explosives, many thought it was the handiwork of mischief makers.

Long before the advent of the Boko Haram insurgence, Yobe state, in north-east Nigeria was well known for its ethno-religious conflicts often leading to loss of lives and properties. But these have been largely been contained over the years and the activities of the religious extremists had limited consequences on the socio-economic life of the state.

FROM Brass on the Atlantic fringe to Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw to Sagbama, Ogbia to Nembe, Kaiama to Yenagoa, the campaign trains of all the major parties have traversed all the nooks and crannies of Bayelsa state.

ALTHOUGH, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has never hidden his feeling that removal of fuel subsidy was long overdue, when it eventually came, he did not hesitate to put palliatives measures in place in his State.