He may not have performed to the utmost satisfaction of critics who, based on the spate of recent kidnappings in the state, had to draw hasty conclusions that Delta under Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has not only collapsed in terms of security of lives and property, but also on infrastructures.

Muslims pray each day: “O Lord! Keep us on the straight path”. It is a prayer to help us move away from the extremes and maintain balance in our lives.

I have carefully followed the debate on Nigeria’s federal system with mixed feelings. While it is heartening that some of the contributions manifest a growing culture of enlightened engagement necessary for democratic consolidation, many needlessly constrict the debate to ethnicity and choose to haul insults as substitute for sense.

How does one celebrate scholarship, particularly one with an excellent icing? Is it by rolling out drums in the thrills and sprees of a feverish gyration in recognition of landmark achievement or by pouring encomium on the achiever on the pages of a newspaper and other media, or by ruminating in stupefied awe of such academic exploit?

Whensoever my mind slips into the idea of time, I do so with pensive wonderment, knowing that the past, present and future are “kindred spirits” collectively bound up in an ever-living intimacy.

I watched with utter disbelief and dismay the recent stage-managed and show of shame called protest by some of our colleagues under the guise of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aba Branch over the state of roads in the commercial city.

When professional faultfinders lampoon the Abia administration, with not very choice words, about the state of infrastructure in Aba, little do they realise that the level of degradation that has ravaged Enyimba city for decades does not call for quick fixes or cosmetic remedies which they are wont to proffer.

Countless kilometres of road, many fine factories and hundreds more projects exist only as dreams in Nigeria despite years of promises, so Kashim Ali faced serious scepticism over a recent announcement.

AS a matter of fact, the Oyinlola-led administration’s decision to take the term loan on the verge of its illegal second term in office is tantamount to financial recklessness with questionable intentions.

THE birthday of any living being is usually significant as it is a day that marks the birth of such individual who in turn spiritually give thanks to his or her creator for being alive to witness another year added to his or her years. On the other hand, the day is also used to reflect on activities and achievements of such a person.

I have in a dozen times resisted the urge to write this piece for so many reasons; one of the reasons is that I may inadvertently be doing this bunch a favour by advertizing them.

It might surprise some watchers of Anambra State politics to begin to read about Governor Peter Obi’s monument; and for the less endowed in the white man’s language, particularly those of them resident in Anambra State, passion might run wild in defense of the Governor’s current mandate.

OUR Olympics dreams were in tatters when our London 2012 contingent returned home empty handed, further compounding the woes of a troubled nation.

MEANWHILE, most of the natural gas associated with oil production was flared. In the last 20 years, production of unassociated natural gas has increased significantly.

OUR attention has been drawn to the recent publication credited to Mr. Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the State of Osun, accusing the current administration in the state of propaganda and misinformation, particularly concerning the manner of financial management of the erstwhile administration of the PDP in the state.