PONDER these lyrical lines from one of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s classical hit songs, “International Thief Thief”: “You be thief, I no be thief; you be robber, I no be robber; you be armed robber, I no be armed robber; argument, argument, argue…” and these will help you to properly appreciate the nuances of the melodrama that is playing out in Edo State over some massive buildings purportedly under construction on the premises of the Iyamho country home of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

THOSE who know you very well would testify to all that care to hear that you are a good man, perhaps outspoken and a bit rough around the edges but a very good and dependable man.

Two events in the pension sector have dominated the airwaves in recent times, and have the potential to lead to erosion of confidence in the pension system if the issues are not put in proper perspective.

IT is a moment of grief and sadness for the families of public officers caught and arraigned for stealing pensioners’ funds. The media have published their photographs as major culprits in Nigeria’s largest pension scam.

THESE days many people die after “brief illness”. In our part of the country, whoever dies after a protracted illness is seen as having “died a good death” because he gave his children and other relations the opportunity to look after him and say thank you for everything he did for them before departing.

THE weather this late afternoon was temperate and friendly. The sun which had earlier made its scorching appearance had disappeared sooner than expected, yielding position to a rather cool and clement late noon.

GOVERNOR Godswill Akpabio stands in bold reckoning in novel infrastructural renaissance, especially in the area of road infrastructure. The roads are not only built to connect the people and cultures, they are built to endure and outlast generations.

WHEN did telling lies become honourable? That is the most relevant question those familiar with politics of Edo State are struggling to find answers to at the moment.

DURING the treason trial of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in 1962, he stated among others that “after the darkness comes a glorious dawn”. Women in all climes have been known to impact positively on their society. In many advanced democracies, women have provided quality political leadership.

AGAINST all man-made odds and political shenanigans, the run of history is about to extend further with the predictable victory that is beckoning on two political war horses, Chief Anthony Akhakon Anenih and Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, in the scheduled July 14, 2012 governorship election in Edo State.

THEIR firm resolve not to compromise the party in any form fostered the membership solidarity that never ceased to amaze the conspirators. At every turn, the attempts at divide and rule towards bolstering an impostor-puppet regime in APGA collapsed like a house of cards.

AS a child who was born, brought up and schooled in Aba, but now waiting for my National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, programme, I can confidently say that the commercial city is my home, because I am a typical Aba brought-up in all ramifications.

THISDAY feature story of Sunday, February 26, 2012 entitled “APGA’s Future without Ojukwu”, raised doubts about APGA’s prospects with the exit of Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu.

BEFORE the military coup in Mali last month, there was a near consensus that classical military take-over in Africa are completely faded out. Elected regimes, in spite of their many flaws, are generally preferred to a takeover by military adventurers. But the view was as self-serving of the ruling elites as it was mere wishful thinking that obscures realities.

The recent bombing of a crude oil pipeline belonging to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNPECo, in Bayelsa State should be condemned by the people of Niger Delta and Nigeria.