The Edo House of Assembly has initiated plans to probe the activities of Governor Adams Oshiomhole's administration in the last one year.

Leaders of civil society groups in Bayelsa State yesterday reviewed the policy of transparency and accountability by the state and local governments in the last 12 months, insisting that the administration of Governor Timipre Sylva has failed to engage in constant monitoring of local councils financial status and be accountable to the people.

In its bid to boost cassava production in Nigeria, the Netherlands has approved six million euro as grant, to boost Nigeria's cassava production.

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua may have to criss-cross the two chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives to present the 2010 appropriation bill separately to each of the chambers, unless the senators and members of the House decide to suspend their supremacy war and face reality.

The Arch Bishop of the New Aba Province of the Anglican Communion, Dr. Ugochukwu Ezuoke, has commended President Umaru Yar'Adua, the ex-militants and the peace advocates involved in the recent amnesty plan of the Federal Government, describing them as patriots that would never be forgotten by the people of the Niger Delta region.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers is to confer a special presidential merit award on the Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill O. Akpabio in recognition of his immense commitment to Infrastructural development of the state and Nigeria in general.

Amodu Shaibu left Lagos yesterday for Luanda to attend the Nations Cup draw. He was accompanied by NFF Secretary General Bolaji Ojo-Oba. The super Eagles coach told KickOffNigeria.com that he expects to pick a good camp site for the Eagles as soon as the draws are made. "We have to make sure that we pick a site where we can concentrate properly and focus well for the tournament," he said.

Nigeria is the sixth highest destination of remittances from its citizens living in the Diaspora. According to the World Bank Migration and Development brief released recently, Nigeria, with $10bn remittance from its citizens abroad, came after Inida ($52bn), China ($49bn) and Mexico ($25bn).

We have proved over and over again that we are a nation that does not plan for tomorrow. Since 1990, the Nigeria economy has expanded and the population has grown, but it is now clear to all discerning observers that our successive governments have failed to plan for our future.

Mozambique coach Mart Nooij has refused to deny or confirm speculation that he has been lined up to take over World Cup-bound Nigeria.

A fortnight ago, Committees on State and Local Government of both the Senate and House of Representatives organized a special merit award ceremony where chairmen of local government councils across the country were conferred with various 'merit awards' in recognition of one form of achievement or the other in their respective localities.

NFF President Sani Lulu insists that it would be an 'injustice' to fire Super Eagles coach Shuiabu Amodu, after he qualified Nigeria for the 2010 World Cup.

Rising from a recent summit on Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) organized by a group of developing countries in Maldives to fine-tune their position at the next month's climate change meet in Copenhagen, zero carbon tolerance has been canvassed.

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is about to make the biggest mistake about the 2010 election in Anambra State through its silence in various areas.

Human rights group, SERAP, has urged the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to urgently intervene and stop the Nigerian government from instigating the passage of a Bill by the National Assembly to undermine the internationally recognised rights to freedom of expression and press in the country.

STILL recovering from the shock of Nigeria's downward spiral in the ranking of Transparency International, TI, the Federal Government yesterday blamed the low rating on the Organised Private Sector, OPS.

The Federal Government yesterday said repairs on Kaduna and Warri refineries have been completed and it hopes to commence production of refined oil by the middle of December.

Tension heightened yesterday in the National Assembly as the two chambers failed to agree on a common venue to receive President Umaru Yar'Adua, who is billed to present the 2010 budget to the lawmakers today.

The Head of the Federal Government medical team to the 2009 Hajj, Dr Ibrahim Kana, has confirmed that 11 Nigerian pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia.

Following the success of amnesty programme in the Niger Delta region, a firm, Dag Group Germany/United Kingdom, said it has concluded arrangement to partner with the Federal Government with a view to investing $30 billion on human and infrastructural development in the region.