THE 21st century is a period of the novel and unexpected. It is also a period of new risks delivered with new means and potentially more devastating consequences.

WHEN the G8 leaders met in Northern Ireland on 17 – 18 June 2013 to discuss tax, trade and transparency, we believed it necessary for them to consider how these issues can serve as the platforms to address the problem of oil theft in the Niger Delta, which in 2008 the G8 leaders meeting in Japan had promised to help President Shehu Yar’adua. Only a global partnership between the International community, the Nigerian Government and Local communities can end oil theft.

I COULDN’T contain my laughter as I watched an interview session on a local television station in Benin City, where a man said he was promised the ticket to become the next governor of Edo State.

THE goose and the gander are indeed lucky birds. So also are the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND and the Boko Haram insurgents; especially so for the Boko Haram insurgents who took up arms against their fatherland, but are being considered for forgiveness of sins because the Federal Government thinks it is the best way to go to have peace and unity in the land.

AN overwhelming majority of the people of Ebonyi State are in total support of the plan of their Governor, Chief Martin Elechi to access bond issue from the Capital Market in order to complete major legacy projects of his administration before leaving office.