I stood with Governor Ayodele Fayose because, unlike most, he has immense courage.

ACCORDING  to a features item on NTA Int’l recently, the Federal Government is constructing a set of high rise apartments for our returning diasporans in various zones of the country. A good policy an observer would conclude, but one that is most likely to end up with an unexpected result – the creation of ghettoes. It is a development though many Nigerians have long unwittingly awaited.

IT is customary for writers and commentators to analyze the inaugural speeches of their political leaders as soon as they are delivered. The ritual over, only a few care to monitor governance to determine their conformity to what have been promised in these “wonderful speeches.” This has become a common feature in Nigeria, where the speeches of many leaders are more of platitudes than objective reality.

I would be the last person to use the platform of divinity to score political points but there is no denying the fact that Governor Godwin Obaseki has built up enormous goodwill in the short space of time that he has been at the helm of affairs in the governance of Edo State as the sitting governor.

Democracy in Nigeria is a precious gift to every Nigerian. That it has survived uninterrupted for over 17 years, since its return in 1999 is a big plus to the active players of the game and every other Nigerian. It is more a plus and applause to the Nigerian military under the current leadership for their absolute subordination to civil authority and faith in democracy.

When I responded to the All Progressive Congress’ National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi’s, attack on the record of the People Democratic Party administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and challenged his credibility, some members of the public may have felt that I was just playing politics.

MUCH as they both labour to put up gestures suggesting cordiality, truth is there is no love lost between them. And interestingly, the one thing that came between them is corruption, which is also supposed to be the only thing that should see them basking in a harmonious relationship in this dispensation. What a paradox!

THE wind of hatred fuelled  by stereotypes has continued to blow across the country  unhindered. This lunacy over the decades is often celebrated joyously by different  perpetrators in various parts of the country to spite others without thinking of the harmful effects on their targets who are largely from the sections of the country they hate.

At a wedding party in Washington DC, an Igbo DJ and a Yoruba band, alternately, entertained the guests.

The beat and rhythm of the band’s music was Juju, but the lyrics were in English. The leader of the band attended the same church with the bride. So, on this exceptionally memorable day of the bride, he came, with his band, to celebrate with his sister in the Lord. The bride is of Igbo parentage but born in the United States of America.

Valentine Obienyem