Trend-Setters

As Fashola launches air-condition meat vans, co-operative college By Olasunkanmi Akoni and Monsur Olowoopejo Federal Government has approved N330 million grants to assist 20, 000 farmers in Lagos state, a measure geared towards increasing food production in the country. Meanwhile, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state inaugurated the first co-operative college and 60 refrigerated meat vans to convey wholesome meat from abattoir to different areas in the state. Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Adewunmi Adeshina who disclosed this Friday, at the flag-off of the growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS), said that the fund will be devoted to acquire fertilizers for the farmers. Adeshina added that the fund will cover 50 percent of the cost that would be spent by farmers on fertilizer in the state. The Minister explained that the cost of fertilizer and seed valued at N36, 000 will be given to farmers with the farmer paying N 18, 000. He added “This year also,

So Dame Patience Jonathan is now a permanent secretary in Bayelsa? Most people still mumble in disbelieve on her appointment as one of the permanent secretaries alongside sixteen (16) other senior civil servants in Bayelsa State. And for some of us that are already used to the persistent incredulous drama from this administration would have accrue enough shock absorbers to summon the courage to move on in the face of any trepidation. Dame Jonathan apparently has all the qualification to be bestowed with such appointment legally, what most Nigerians are at variance with; is the reality of the “I don’t give damn obsequious attitude that resonates with government misplaced priorities. Is it morally right to appoint the first lady and the current wife of the president into a public position with so many vested interests? Is she due for an appointment as the permanent secretary? Would she permanently serve in Bayelsa State or shuttles Aso Rock? Your guess on all these is as good as

BEING THE FULL TEXT OF THE LECTURE ON LEADERSHIP AND NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION IN NIGERIA DELIVERED BY SENATOR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI AT THE OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY(OAU). INTRODUCTORY The invitation extended to me to be the Guest lecturer in this year’s Distinguished Lecture series is indeed a great honour. I must thank the Vice Chancellor, the Dean of the Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University for considering that I should share these thoughts of mine with you. I am very pleased to be here. The topic assigned to me for this lecture is “Leadership and National Transformation in Nigeria”. In truth, the concept of leadership is multifaceted and it will be too obtuse for this lecture to focus at all the various dynamics and facets of leadership. Our purpose will be restricted to political/public sector leadership that enable national transformation as opposed to private sector or informal leadership. We shall consider how quality leadership can give rise to