Chief Tajudeen Gbadesere Eletu, JP (Justice of Peace), is the Eletu Odibo of Lagos and traditional prime minister to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu 1. Eletu, a white cap chief, is also the head of Akarigbere in the hinterland of Lagos Island, popularly called Isale Eko. In this interview, he speaks about democracy and the traditional institution under democratic government in Nigeria.

THE people of Kiagbodo, the country home of former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, have never witnessed such as far as kidnapping is concerned in the Niger-Delta.

Sixteen years ago when Joseph, now 39, graduated from the University with second class upper, he looked very promising even with his charming skills and the business acumen he had acquired during his undergraduate years in the university.

Since its inauguration, the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, which was meant to serve as a clearing house to link job seekers, fill vacant positions or provide opportunities for self employment has been combating the scourge of unemployment with a measure of success but yet unemployment level continues to rise.

With about 1.8 million graduates entering into the Nigerian labour market every year, this country is already breeding an army of frustrated, angry, desperate job seekers whose pathetic situation could reach the boiling point required for an explosion that may not be contained anymore by the government.

The Vice President, African Veterinary Association, AVA, Dr Gani Enahoro, has warned that the possibility of mass movement is real in the country if urgent steps are not taken to address the growing rate of unemployment.

Unemployment, insecurity, harsh economic conditions among others indicate that young graduates in the country are losing out. While unconfirmed statistics indicate that three out of ten graduates in the country are unemployed, some of them have become commercial motorcycle operators and petrol station attendants.

THE audience exploded in admiration. Chuks and I were locked in cordial embrace. We both knew my gratitude was beyond words… I have carried that poem with me ever since. Its echo hovered over my consciousness as I composed ‘Birth Day’, one of the poems in Days, my book of poems published in 2007, and that particular poem was dedicated to Chuks Ihekaibeya and memories of ‘Crimson Moments’.

NO two acts could have been more dramatic in their tragic coincidence. I was halfway through Biodun Jeyifo’s powerful elegy for Tunde Sawyer, his former classmate at the University of Ibadan (The Nation, Jan. 12), when the obituary notice of yet another highly remarkable UI alumnus popped up in my email box.

Tormenting words common among insane persons show in the character of a black, tall lady who is likely to be in her late twenties. Maria, as she is called, is single with no family; at least nobody claims to be related to her. She lives under a tree situated at a junction on Arab Road, Kubwa, Abuja. She speaks Yoruba and Hausa fluently. She has black pixie hair and displays her wares- second hand clothes and shoes. Wherever she bought the wares from to sell is a story for another day.

He not only dared them but he also sent our troops, under the command of Brigadier-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, to secure our eastern boarders and to protect our territory from their reckless and open aggression. Force was poised to meet force and the Nigerian nation was mobilised for a full scale territorial war.

Following reports of increasing rate of baby factories in some parts of the country, the Lagos State police command has debunked claim that baby factories exist in the state.

For quite some time now, a new wave of making money through selling of new born babies and child trafficking is currently sweeping across parts of the country. The racket of keeping young girls and boys to produce children and then sell to desperate buyers is fast gaining prominence not only in the South-East but also in South West.

A Lawyer from Cameroon, Mrs Ngala Norgu Julia was recently arrested by men of the Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Immigration Service for allegedly being in possesion of a one-week old baby girl which she claims she was delivered of by a herbalist at Okitikputa, Onda State.

With the proliferation of baby factories and child trafficking in some parts of the country, the Zonal commander National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Lagos zone, Joseph Famakin, opens up on what the agency is doing to curb the scourge of human trafficking and also how members of the public can synergize with the agency to nip the situation in the bud.