A few months ago, I was accosted by a man I did not know from Adam. In a fit of rage, he said to me: “N70 million in 3 months! Imagine that! N70 million! Three months!”

Tears rolled down everyone’s eyes, that evening, Thursday, November 26, 2013 as this solemn song was sung. Venue was the banquet hall of Garden Royale Hotel, Enugu. The event was the Service of Songs in honour of Mr. Chidi Ohaeri Ike, whom everyone knew as and called “Chairman.”

CREATING jobs, enhancing economic competitiveness, tackling security challenges and providing quality food for the ever growing population are the teething issues slowing down the country’s quest for an accelerated development.

I KNEW him in 2005 when I accompanied the then Etsako Central Council boss, Pascal Ugbome, on a visit to his Asokoro District, Abuja, residence. He was then President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Special Adviser on Project Monitoring and Evaluation.

GRADUATE and non-graduate youth unemployment has over the years become a cankerworm that continues to hamper government’s efforts at creating wealth and eliminating poverty in Nigeria.