WORLD'S AIDS DAY

THE HIV/AIDS scourge is still ravaging humanity. December 1st is world Aids Day. Dont sit and watch. Your little contribution can go along way in eradicating the menance.Take an action today.

Tools of journalism

Every proffession has its tools.Tools may refer to equipment used in executing an assignment In the journalism profession the pen stands out clearly.And then, the paper. Besides these obvious tools, a journalist alse needs training.You need to train yourself before you will know how to go about your duties. Courage is another tool a journalist needs to perform.without courage,you may not be able to perform certain functions as a journalist.You also need to have vision. It is a that vision that will enable you go about your assighnment successfully.

DEATH,THOU COMET TOO QUICKLY!

When we were growing up in those days (in the sixties to be exact) death was a very strange phenomenal.Hearing of death itself was very strange,it was not common. By the time i was 15years, i could recall i winessed only two burial ceremonies -one NAJIME, a male relative and one MBAGEN,one of my father's wives. That is to say in 15 years, only two people died in our house. But in the 80s,death became so common that hardly a day passes without hearing of burial ceremony. Now the situation is worse. People are now being buried enmasse. Vehicular accidents,political voilence,bomblasts and air and sea disasters are taking their tolls on the human population. I had barely finished writing my bit on the death of my inspirator,sir Alex Ibru when i had to do another story on Dim Ojukwu.Haba,death!thou comet too quickly.Rest, for we are not rushing to heaven.Who knows?

OJUKWU IS DEAD!

The former Biafran warlord and chieftain of the All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) Dim Chukwumeka Odumegu Ojukwu is dead. He died in the early hours of today in a london hospital where he has been recieving treatment for months.

THE SUSWAM'S CHALLENGE

When he was voted Governor,most of us thought Dr Suswam at 43 or so was to young for the job. Because all those who Governor of Benue before him were in their 50s and 60s. Iam not a goverment spokesman,and if talk good of not that iam looking for a job. There is one are suswam has done so well that deserves my commendation. This is security.Dr suswam has taken the issue of security of life and property very seriously. The security outfit ZENDA is everywhere.Before suswam became governor,gboko-ihugh and gboko aliade roads were completely in the hands of armed bandits.Thousands lost their money and even lives on these roads to those bandits. In gboko town itself people used to sleep at 6pm but with eyes open for fear of robbers. All these have finished. The provission of electricity , rehabilation of makurdi to mention but a few are the challenges suswam to throwing to in coming administrations.

JOURNALISM:STILL A THANKLESS JOB?

Our university days at the University of calabar in the early 80s were indeed hectic.Most students combined acedemic work with journalistic activities.We together with Richard Mammah,Chris Emezue,Keleche Ogbamgba amongst other created a niche for ourselves by establishing and publishing papers on campus. I recall vividly that to most people, we were infact wasting our time. After many years of graduation how is the journalism profession rated? In those days we could call it a thankless job. How it is now? In other developed places journalism may have a place of pride but in Nigeria,Journalism is regarded as a profession for dropout.It is an all comers affairs. Journalists are like instruments,they are used and dump. It is still a thankless job.

WAZIRI,EFCC BOSS SACKED.

Presidend Jonathan Goodluck today(wednesday) sacked Mrs Farida waziri as chairman, Economic and Financial crimes commission. She is replaced by Ibrahim lamorde.No reason was given.