The president’s visit to Borno State, I guess, was intended to dramatize to Nigerians at home and abroad that despite opposition to the regime, the president could still be received in Borno with respect and even enthusiasm.

I AM away in Addis Ababa, organising the 40th Anniversary of the Organisation Of African Trade Union Unity, OATUU, the umbrella organisation of African workers, which comes up on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Also, as the OATUU Secretary General, I am to attend the African Union Labour and Social Affairs Commission meeting, the tripartite biennial conference that brings together African Labour Ministers, employers and trade unions.

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan recently returned to what many Nigerians believed was a settled issue. Speaking at the Nigeria Summit 2013 in Lagos, he had unveiled a platform of economic development for the country which he said was predicated on full removal of fuel subsidy.

THE government’s position is supported by notable constitutional lawyers, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) and one-time Secretary of Education, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN) as well as the Second Republic Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), among others.

DEMOCRACY appears to be on the reverse gear with the current happenings in the country. The desperation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to remain in power by hook and crook is becoming more and more manifest daily.

THE protracted efforts by some political parties to merge into a mega political group should have been commendable but for their warped and negative rationalisation for doing so.

THE decision of the nation’s Council of States, led by President Goodluck Jonathan, to pardon the former BayelsaState governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and other ex-convicts, has continued to generate ripples in and out of Nigeria.

AT a church service to mark his birthday anniversary on April 4 last year, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole told the audience interesting stories of his growing days in his native home of Iyamho, Etsako West council area of Edo State where he was born 60 years ago. Of particular interest was the story that the natives, including his father, would dash into the bush at the approach of tax collectors and resurface when signalled that the invading government officials had left.

In an interview published in a recent edition of Daily Independent newspaper, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Barr. Chike C. Ogeah, spoke on sundry national issues as well as those relating to the State. One of such issues is the decision by Barr. Festus Keyamo to run for public office.

By Jay Naidoo Having returned from speaking at a conference hosted by the World Bank President Jim Yong Kim on the issue of constituency feedback, I have re-learnt that important lesson: citizens always know better than the government or the market what works for them. The question is whether our political elites are prepared to […]