Tecla, a young Zimbabwean girl, was sold for a few cows by her father to help alleviate the family’s poverty. She was raped by her husband, became pregnant and contracted HIV. Her baby died soon after birth. Tecla was only 12 years old.

Now that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has released its timetable and the primaries for governorship set for November 29, pundits are scrutinising the aspirants.

The incorporation of a commercial security outfit – the Izon-Ibe Security Company Limited- by the Bayelsa State government has, understandably, attracted a lot of positive comments from various quarters. Without doubt, it demonstrated the commitment of the Governor Henry Seriake Dickson administration to tackling the problems confronting the state head-long.

I WAS not surprised when on Thursday, October 2, this year, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Erediauwa, Oba of Benin, adorned an illustrious son of Benin, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, JP, with the “Traditional Beads” for being a worthy son of the ancient Kingdom.

NIGERIA at 54 as a nation, has survived many challenges, including religious ,and ethnic violence that led to three years civil war, from 1966 to 1970.Nigeria has fared reasonably well, some will say; after all, today, we have mobile phones with communications technology growing and spreading very fast; we have more roads, many villages have become state capitals with dual carriage ways, more exotic cars on our roads, many private jet owners.