“We will endeavor to restore the glory of Imo State in national, continental and world sports competitions. Scholarships and other incentives shall be given to our contingents that excel exceptionally in sports activities, to inspire them and challenge the up-coming talents”, Rochas Okorocha wrote on his agenda for sports as stated in the Rochas Campaign Organization website page on his mission statement.

THE “Transformation Agenda” that I present in this Lecture comprises five “Fundamentals”, three “Transformation Result Areas” (TRAs) and some implementation issues. In Part One, I briefly discuss the five selected fundamentals: electoral legitimacy, peace and security, government policy stability, rule of law, and anti-corruption. Part Two is focused on the three TRAs: (i) rehabilitating education; (ii) fixing poor infrastructure; and (iii) achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They are briefly presented with emphasis on some specific actions that could ensure concrete results within the president’s four-year tenure.

As Nigerians, we were “celebrating” the dawn of a new era as ushered in by the recent elections commendably organized by Professor Attahiru Jega, when the nation suddenly became overwhelmed by the horror, carnage and violence that greeted the announcements of results of the Presidential elections in some Northern States.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo did not support Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential bid in order that the Igbo would be rewarded with the position of Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. All those commentators claiming that both Ohanaeze and President Jonathan have betrayed Ndigbo will do well to get their bearing right.

IT is one of the most difficult things to do and, according to Shakespeare, it is not a human attribute, but the character and nature of God.

I DO not envy Dr Goodluck Jonathan his dilemma after the ‘landslide’ or ‘moon slide’ victory he secured from Nigerians by garnering over 22 million votes while his rival, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari recorded 12 million votes to come, perhaps, a distant second.

IT was a war among friends on the floor of the Senate recently on an issue that could have grave consequences for the stability, not only for the revenue generating assets of the country, but also for the security of the country.

IT is indisputable that Senator Akpanudoedehe was the only politician from Akwa Ibom State that had the closest relationship and access to former President Obasanjo and he leveraged on this very well to make Godswill Akpabio Governor of the state. Senator Akpanudoedehe introduced Akpabio, then a mere Commissioner, with limited territorial functionality to Uyo, to the corridors of power in Abuja up to President Obasanjo himself. The rest that followed and the details of its operational dynamics are being reserved for another day.

AJIBOLA’S political rise is purely God and the will of his people. He was overwhelmingly elected twice to the Federal House of Representatives by his people in a free and fair election. Obasanjo had no hand in his election.

THE ovation was loud, the applause thunderous. The jubilant crowd of Akwa Ibom people trooped out in their thousands to celebrate the victory won by the people. This was the mood at the Hilltop Mansion, seat of government in Akwa Ibom on April 27, when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC announced the result of the gubernatorial election for Akwa Ibom State.

MY friend drew my attention to the rumour making the round in some quarters to the effect that Muraina Ajibola, the member representing Ibarapa Central / North Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives was not in his constituency to vote during the presidential election. To say the least, it is a naked lie.

“Hatred may be engendered by good deeds as well as bad ones.” –Niccolo MachiavelliPOSER: Is the growing intolerance by Governor Adams Oshiomhole against the Esan ethnic nation a reaction to its good deeds of voting for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the three elections held in April, this year?

NIGERIANS are experts in all fields of human endeavour, including a plethora of telephone ring tones. One tone in particular captures my attention and starts with “NIGERIA evil men will never rule you again, People who steal your money will never rule you again” and it goes on with a number of other interesting prayers.

The scenario above was certainly not a clean sweep that Oshiomhole had planned to achieve. If it had been, one thing is sure: The Comrade Governor and his aides would have declared a celebration galore and clinked the good wine glasses to mark the total eclipse of the PDP in the State.

THE election of Goodluck Jonathan as President of this country signposts so much hope for the country. It may be too early for analysts to go full length talking about the huge lot that hope offers us by this historic election.