On the morning of January 21, 2010, as five armed policemen escorted Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha into the black Toyota Prado SUV registered to the Imo State government house, his neighbours must have looked on with envy. They would have thought that Mr Iwuoha's activism had finally caught the attention of the authorities and that the government had decided to hush…
The just concluded national assembly elections revealed a peculiar trend among Imo politicians that clearly went beyond desperation to the point of paranoia. The state governor, Ikedi Ohakim, and an ambassador, Kema Chikwe, both of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), had played into the hands of opposition political parties through a series of perceived political misdeeds and miscalculations that…
On Tuesday, the people of Kwara will choose the person to govern their state for the next four years. There are 15 candidates on the ballot for the state governorship race, but a casual discussion with many residents of the state reveals that the contest is really between two factions of the state's number one political family; one headed by…
How would you like to spend your retirement years? Will your nest egg be able to provide the kind of lifestyle that you have become accustomed to and how much will it cost? Sadly, many people end up impoverished in their later lives or are totally dependent on their children or other family members. Yet other retirees are redefining retirement…
As more banks reel out their 2010 year end reports, industry watchers have observed that the sector has shown remarkable improvement and signs of quick recovery from the impact of the 2009 financial crisis. Most of their earnings are back in the green, although it has not been an entirely smooth ride. Finance experts think investors should keep an eye…
23 April 2011 The Nigeria Football Federation have doubled the win bonus of the national U-20 team, Flying Eagles, ahead of their must-win Group B match against Gambia on Sunday at the African Youth Championship in South Africa. At an afternoon meeting with other top NFF officials in Johannesburg on Friday, NFF president Aminu Maigari approved that the players should…
Apart from answering the nagging question of who will occupy the ‘Lion Building' government house for the next four years, Tuesday's governorship/house of assembly election in Enugu State will achieve two other main objectives. First, it will confirm the supremacy of one of the political parties operating in the state. Secondly, it will put to rest the issue of superiority…
Another set of 53 Nigerians were deported from the UK on Thursday after allegedly serving various jail terms for immigration-related offences. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the deportees arrived at the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at about 6am aboard a special flight. An immigration source at the airport told NAN that the deportees…
The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday said that adequate security arrangements have been put in place for the Good Friday and Easter Sunday celebrations. The Lagos State commissioner of police disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while answering questions on the police’s preparedness for the season. “All area commanders, divisional police officers and other senior officers…
CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on Wednesday, restated the commitment of the apex bank to building a virile financial system in the country. Mr Sanusi made the statement at a public hearing on bills to establish the Nigerian International Financial Centre (NIFC), Office of the Nigerian Financial Obudsman, and National Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission. The hearing was organised by the…
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Thursday called for full deregulation of the energy sector to address problems of scarcity of diesel and kerosene. Olumide Ogunmade, chairman, western zone of IPMAN, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the failure of government to attract investors to the sector contributed to scarcity of these products.…
The marketplace has become highly dynamic and vibrant and as a result, brand strategies should focus on aligning with changing market realities. It is evident now that old strategies may not work again with the present scenario in the marketplace. Competition has become stiff and consumers are more discerning than before. Unlike before, brand strategies should focus on raising consumer…
22 April 2011 Nigeria coach Samson Siasia will include Arsenal starlet Chuks Aneke when he names the squad to battle Argentina in Abuja on June 1. Last week, Siasia convinced the young midfielder, who has represented England at Under 18 level, to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria, and has now said he will bring him in as early as…
21 April 2011 Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny insists his side are mentally strong enough to win the Premier League title race. Arsene Wenger's side squandered another chance to close the gap on leaders Manchester United as they blew a 3-1 lead in Wednesday's 3-3 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Szczesny, 22, was partially responsible for Arsenal's latest meltdown…
22 April 2011 Carlo Ancelotti has admitted misfiring striker Fernando Torres could return in place of in-form Didier Drogba for Chelsea's vital London derby against West Ham on Saturday. Ancelotti's side have been revitalised since the Italian dropped Torres and recalled Drogba, with successive wins over West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham lifting Chelsea back into the title race. Torres has…