Nationwide

THE Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisoren has scoffed at the  criticism of mainstream politics in the South West, declaring that the region had benefited considerably since 2003.
The federal lawmaker, who spoke at the personality programme of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUI) in Oyo state said road reconstruction in the region alone had gulped N150billion in the last three years.
Omisore made the assertions while responding to questions on the position of  mainstream politics in the region since the exit of the administration of the  Alliance for Democracy (AD).

A former senator,  who represented Central Senatorial District of Kogi State, from 2003-2007, under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Muhammed Salami Ohiare, has formerly declared his intention to return to the Upper Chamber, come 2011. 
Ohiare, who was also a  one time governorship aspirant on the platform of Action Congress (AC) in the state, made his intention known while addressing the people of Okene and Adavi Local government areas.

A former member of the defunct Bendel State House of Assembly, Chief Young Esiekpe, has said that any decision by President Goodluck Jonathan not to seek a return to office during the 2011 polls would constitute a disappointment to Nigerians.
Esiekpe made the assertion while fielding questions from journalists at his country home in Orhoakpor, Delta state He posited that Nigerians would be disappointed because his ascension to the number one seat of the country was as a result of “divine intervention.”

MINISTER, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Senator Ibrahim Mohammed, has called on members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), to partner with the Federal Government for the provision of essential social amenities to Abuja metropolis.
He dispatched a similar plea to corporate organizations and spirited individuals for the provision of water supply, waste management and upgrading of the recreational facilities in the territory.

AGAINST the backdrop of the increased wave of kidnapping and indiscipline among law enforcement agents in the country, the Federal Government has been called upon to liberalize the issuance of gun licensees to interested Nigerians.
Making the call in Lagos, a Maritime Lawyer and Consultant, Dania Tony, said armed robbers were attacking and kidnapping people with impunity “knowing fully well that not many people own guns in the country.”
He noted that even though liberalizing the issuance of licenses for people to own short guns had its advantages and disadvantages,” it will go a long way in reducing crime rate if well managed.”

...On first Anniversary of demise
ONE year after his demise, late social critic and Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) Gani Fawehinmi, is still living in the minds of Lagosians, nay Nigerians.
This was amplified as Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) dedicated a Statue and scenic Garden to his memory. 
The dedication, which is part of the State Government's resolve to immortalise men and women, whose outstanding contributions in their lifetimes have impacted on the socio-political as well economic lives of the citizenry was held , at Gani Fawehinmi Garden, opposite Owena Park, Ojota, in Lagos,  to mark the first anniversary of his transition.

…As FG moves to empower women aspirants
A call has been made for the creation of a level playing field for women participation in electoral processes towards the  2011 general elections in the country.
It came from the Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Iyom Josephine Anenih, at a  one day Capacity Building Programme for Women Aspirants in the South West Zone held in Lagos.
The programme was  organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the South West Political Empowerment Project coordinated by Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) with the support from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs.
Speaking at he occasion, Anenih said the Federal government was concerned about the gross gender inequality and exclusion of women politicians from the key leadership positions at the party level and the hindrances faced by women aspirants during the primaries.

•Monarch dissociates self from mediating Princess
•Obasanjo to the rescue
PROTRACTED crisis and loss of confidence between Governor Adebayo Alao Akala and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, has reached another dimension.
As several efforts by stakeholders in Oyo state to reconcile the governor with the monarch, who is also the chairman of the State Traditional Council, proved abortive, a mediating princess has become the worse for it.
She is Princess Folashade Adeyemi, has been told categorically “to stay clear of the matter.”

A Non Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Umuahia, Abia State, the Movement for Peace and Development  in the Niger Delta (MPDND), has lent its weight behind the candidature of Chief Chris Nkwonta for Senate.
She is to represent Abia South in the forthcoming election, come 2011.
This was disclosed by the president of the organization, Comrade Nnanna Nwafor in  Umuahia.

•Commended for sponsored NANS Bills
PROMOTER of the Nigerian Citizens in Diaspora Commission Bill in the Senate, Sen. Annie Okonkwo of Anambra Central has been endorsed for second term at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly (NASS).
He bagged the endorsement at a Town Hall meeting held in his honour in Awka.

GOVERNOR Olagunsoye Oyinlola has canvassed for expert interpretation on the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that elections would hold next year, especially, in the six states where re-run elections were held between 2008 and 2009.
The Osun state governor maintained that the interpretation was necessary to clarify whether “INEC's position overrides the constitutional interpretation, to the effect that “tenure starts on the day oath is taken.”
Oyinlola told journalists in Ibadan that “the interpretation of the experts on the position of the electoral agency would douse the tension the position of INEC would create in the affected states.”

•Insists on October 1 as Democracy  Day
IF Nigeria must record success in the forthcoming general elections, the Federal government must shift its official handover and democracy day from May 29 to October 1, each time there is transition.
On this basis, President Goodluck Jonathan should continue ruling till October 2011, so as to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections.