Focus

WHEN the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, opened formally on October 7, 1960 – six days after this nation’s independence – it was with a spirit of hope and optimism. The same spirit pervaded the Eastern House of Assembly on May 18, 1955, when Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe gave a speech seconding the motion introduction by the…

EXPERTS describe Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a condition that affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour. It includes Asperger syndrome and childhood autism.   The main features of ASD typically start to develop in childhood, although the impact of these may not be apparent until there is a significant change in the person’s life,…

THE breath- taking speed of politicians’ convoy, the lack of respect for other road users, have become a permanent feature of the current electioneering campaigns across party lines, with its concomitant risks.     It is almost becoming a daily occurrence to hear of road accidents on the highways resulting in heavy casualties that puts…

SUCCESSIVE governments in Nigeria have continued to battle with the onerous task of trying to bridge the wide infrastructural chasm that exists in every sector of the nation. This, no doubt, has contributed in no small measure to the inability of the Nigerian nation to harness the gains that come to a country endowed with…

TWO decades ago, the mention of his name invoked morbid fear in the Southwest. His words were law in the land. Such was the awe with which he bestrode the entire region that a myth of invincibility was woven around his name and his group.     Indeed, the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) was synonymous…

THEY seem innocuous to the average citizen. Except you require their service, their name or their equipment may not make any meaning to you. Yet they are indispensable, if we are to make judicious use of the environment.    With over 3,000 registered Surveyors nationwide, it is pertinent to identify the often neglected surveying and…

THE most noticeable feature of the history of elections in Nigeria has been that they have had reoccurring integrity challenge. The results are often unacceptable to all the parties as the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeks new ways of conducting the exercise every four years.      Despite these efforts, however,…

Protocol EVENTS in our recent history have thrust us into the glare of world attention in ways that have not always reflected us in our best light.    The paradox of modern Nigeria is that while we have proudly emerged as the largest economy in Africa, and a viable investment and trade destination, a raging…

THE proximity of Nassarawa state to the nation’s capital was to be an advantage when there was massive demolition in the Federal Capital Territory in the year 2004, as most of the displaced persons found solace in the state.     Today, thousands of victims of insurgency have also relocated to the North-Central state, especially…

FEW weeks before the general elections, the virtual social media space has been saturated by canvassers and cyber-warlords who have taken over the unregulated mass communication platform to run a vigorous, no-holds barred campaign either for change, as represented by General Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress (APC) or continuity as proclaimed by the ruling Peoples…

IT is that time of the year.  The signs are everywhere:  dry skin (because of obvious loss of moisture), cracked lips, sole of the feet and even the skin itself.  Some cracks even become ulcerated.    The rooms become unusually cold, people dive under the cover of otherwise neglected warm duvets. Indeed, duvet referred to…

PERHAPS, the world has not felt the pangs of terrorism in recent times than it is experiencing currently. From the weekly massacre of innocent civilians by the Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria, to the hacking down of journalists, police personnel as well as civilians in Paris, the world has had a very bad share of…