IT does appear government at the entre is playing the ostrich over its continued silence on the controversy trailing the back and forth arguments between two of its agencies on the use or ban of methyl bromide (an agrochemical used as soil sterilant and pesticide) by farmers for pest control. While the controversy has been on for about four months, the ministries which birthed these agencies are yet to give an official statement of clarification to guide the farmers and manufacturers of agricultural produce in the country aright.

Mrs Rebecca Sharibu, the mother of Leah Sharibu has again pleaded with the Federal Government to intensify efforts towards her daughter’s release from Boko Haram captivity.

DESPITE the persistent claims of a divided country tottering on the brink and whose only balm of restoration lay in political restructuring and other similar geopolitical reconfiguration, the future to the actual healing of the simmering cracks are in economic revitalisation.

I WAS privileged to be in the entourage of Chief Leemon Ikpea, Chairman Lee Group of companies, a man who is very passionate about indigenous engineering technology and his amiable wife, Mrs. Justina Ikpea, Managing Director, Trebet A1 Nigeria Limited, producers of Trebet table water. The trip to China was in respect of a new production line for Trebet water. The business part of the trip was a huge success; it was a great experience and eye opener, especially in the areas of international business negotiation and diplomacy; but that is not the focus of this piece.

THE global maritime commons have remained a veritable medium for driving growth, development and prosperity amongst both littoral and land-linked nations in the 21st Century. African seaborne trade has equally benefited from this growth, albeit with attendant maritime security challenges, particularly within the Gulf of Guinea, GoG. This is the case for Nigeria with a coastline of about 420 nautical miles.